Best Soil for Gardening in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico has 7 USDA soil survey areas, and they vary considerably in how friendly the ground is for growing things. We ranked every survey area by the percentage of well-drained soil — the single most important soil property for most garden plants.
At the top, San Juan Area, Puerto Rico has 93% well-drained soils — conditions where most vegetables, herbs, and flowers can thrive with basic soil preparation. At the other end, El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico comes in at 66%, meaning more of the landscape has drainage challenges that may require raised beds, soil amendments, or careful site selection for a productive garden.
Remember that these are area-wide averages. Even in a low-ranking survey area, individual properties can have excellent garden soil. Look up your specific address for exact conditions.
| # | Survey Area | Well-Drained Soils | Dominant Drainage | Dominant Soil Order |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Juan Area, Puerto Rico | 93% | Well drained | Ultisols |
| 2 | Mayaguez Area, Puerto Rico Western Part | 91% | Well drained | Ultisols |
| 3 | Ponce Area, Puerto Rico Southern Part | 90% | Well drained | Inceptisols |
| 4 | San German Area, Southwestern Puerto Rico | 85% | Well drained | Mollisols |
| 5 | Arecibo Area, Puerto Rico Northern Part | 81% | Well drained | Ultisols |
| 6 | Humacao Area, Puerto Rico Eastern Part | 75% | Well drained | Inceptisols |
| 7 | El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico | 66% | Well drained | Inceptisols |