Knowing the roots of our garden plants is essential because it allows us to manage and care for them properly.
Plants that have deep roots are said to have taproots. These plants require these deep roots to get access to water supply.
Another incredible feature of these plants is that they are easier to manage and maintain.
Looking forward to adding deep-rooted plants to your gardens? Here are 10 plants with deep roots!
10 Plants With Deep Roots
1. Tomato
Tomato plant is known to have bipolar root types. It can either be deep or shallow depending on the root type the plant possesses.
The taproot of a tomato plant can go deep down into the soil to about 3 feet, which isn’t a good sign.
This happens when the plant is in search of water or nutrients in poor and loose soil conditions.
The branch root of a tomato plant can stretch out to about 12 inches.
The way a tomato plant is grown determines to a large extent the type of root it will have. It can either have a fibrous root system or a taproot system.
If the plant is grown from a seed, the plant will exhibit taproot organization.
If the plant is grown from cuttings, a fibrous root system will form which In turn means it has a shallow root.
The type of soil in which a tomato plant is growing will also influence how far its taproot extends.
2. Neem tree
The neem tree has a deep root, the roots of a neem tree are highly rigid and grow deep into the soil to about 49 feet downwards.
The root system of the neem tree is highly extensive and therefore requires a large surface to thrive.
It is advised that the plants are grown about 10 feet away from buildings.
This is because the roots go so deep and the branches of the roots extend as well, this can destroy a building if it is close.
The roots of this plant are super beneficial; they increase the water holding capacity of the soil and also prevent soil erosion during floods.
3. Parsnips
These carrot-looking plants have cream-colored taproots that are edible.
The roots are generally smooth, although lateral roots sometimes form and they are about 1 foot and 8 inches deep into the soil.
The parsnip stems seem to grow from the inside of the root, making a dent around the top. Even though the stems are removed the dent properties remain.
Parsnips are not grown in warm climates, since frost is necessary to develop their flavor.
Frost also enables its root to convert the starch in the root into sugar. This is responsible for their distinctive, sweet flavor.
Here is an article I wrote on plants with broad leaves
4. Mango Tree
Mango trees generally have well-defined taproots which can extend up to 20 feet into the ground.
The taproot of a mango tree may be mistaken to be a fibrous root. This is because its branching looks like fibrous roots.
These fibrous-looking roots are taproots that grow sideward on the upper part of the roots to get the moisture and nutrients from the upper surface of the soil.
Taproots consist of thick, cylindrical main root, known as the primary root, from which further branches of roots arise known as the secondary and the tertiary roots.
The taproots of mangos help to store the carbohydrates which play an important role in the growth and development of the plant.
5. Banyan Tree
This tree has two types of roots; it has a deep root and a prop root. So this is how it works, the underground roots of the banyan tree are taproots.
Prop roots come out from the aerial parts of branches which touch the ground and later become thicker and stronger.
The taproots of the banyan tree are about 75 feet deep and it can even go deeper.
They are considered to have the deepest roots so far because there is no limit to how deep the roots can go.
The roots of this plant aid;
- Food storage
- Assimilation
- Absorption of atmospheric moisture
- Sucking from the host plant
- Better gaseous exchange
- Floating and stronger anchorage.
6. Cactus
Desert plants aren’t exempted when it comes to deep-rooted plants. Cacti have a taproot, which is long and thick; it grows down straight from the base of the plant.
Cactus roots grow as deep as 3 feet into the ground and up to 3 feet wide as well as horizontally.
These taproots allow cacti to access water deep below the surface of the ground.
Many smaller roots grow off the central taproot, helping to keep cacti anchored and hydrated.
This plant has a root system that is made for surviving long periods of high temperatures and low precipitation.
Also check out this article I wrote on plants with cool leaves
7. Asparagus
Asparagus has a deep root system; the roots can get deep down to about 10 feet and can even exceed that.
Due to the deep root system of asparagus, the soil should be loosened to 12-15 inches in depth.
This is to allow the asparagus crowns to root properly and prevented them from being disrupted by rocks or other obstacles which might be present.
8. Tamarind Tree
Tamarind trees have a taproot system as well. Their roots go deep into the ground to about 12 feet and even more.
Its deep rooting system enables it to withstand stormy conditions.
Tamarind is a slow-growing tree; it can get up to 70-80 feet in height and can spread up to 25-30 feet wide.
This tree has an irregularly shaped crown along with a thick trunk.
9. Carrots
Carrots have deep taproots; they also have many other smaller lateral roots that emerge from the sides.
The carrot plant has a conical-shaped primary root, with a wide top that narrows gradually toward the bottom.
It also has secondary roots arising from the sides of its primary root.
Their roots can go as deep as 9 feet into the ground. Its taproot length and width depending on the soil type and preparation.
A deep root system sources water from far down and allows the plant to extract nutrients from deep in the soil profile.
10. Deodar Cedar
The root of this plant is super important. The deodar cedar has long deep taproots, up to about 6 to 8 feet deep.
How deep the roots of this ornamental tree will go depends on its height.
Deodar cedar can grow 60 to 80 feet tall and 30 to 40 feet wide, while the Atlas cedar can grow 40 to 60 feet tall and 25 to 40 feet wide.
Also, how deep these roots grow is based on their growing conditions.
Tree roots rarely penetrate through urban sites that have compacted soil, poor drainage, and dense layers of rock.
Conclusion
Deep-rooted plants are plants with taproots all the plants discussed have taproots.
Most plants like cactus, tomatoes, and parsnip have less root depth compared to the others.
Plants like asparagus, tamarind, deodar cedar, and carrot have a moderately higher depth compared to the previous plants mentioned.
However, mango trees, neem trees, and banyan trees have the highest depth. The root of the neem tree is so strong, that it could destroy a building.
