Plant database

Agroforestry & Food Forest Plant Database

Browse 610 plants for food forests and agroforestry by layer, growing conditions and practical uses.

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This preference applies to both plant databases. The interface stays in English; English is used when a translated name is unavailable.

From plant ideas to a growing project

Start with a planting guide

Explore considered plant combinations, check the conditions for your site, and save a selection to make your own.

12 species

Your First Food Forest

Build a layered food forest with 12 fruit, nut, berry and herb species, clear planting areas and practical guidance on space and establishment.

Sunny fruit trees and raspberry row; bright, lightly shaded edges Draining soil with reliable moisture; slightly acid to near neutral Explore the guide 10 species

Edible Hedgerow

Plan a broad edible hedgerow with 10 woody, berry and herb species, separate harvest margins and guidance on pruning and preparing the crop.

Sun or light shade; a bright face for fruiting shrubs and herbs Moist but draining; avoid waterlogged ground Explore the guide 10 species

Partial-Shade Berry Garden

Plan a productive woodland edge with six berry species and four perennial herbs, arranged by light, mature size and spreading habit.

Light or partial shade, with a brighter fruiting margin Fertile, moisture-retentive and draining; mildly acidic to neutral Explore the guide 10 species

Sunny Herb & Pollinator Border

Plan a sunny border with ten culinary herbs and flowering plants, organised by height and spread, with reliable drainage and seasonal care.

Full sun; shelter for rosemary Freely draining; neutral to alkaline suits this mix Explore the guide 12 species

Perennial Kitchen Garden

Build a perennial kitchen garden with twelve herbs and vegetables, from chives to asparagus and rhubarb, arranged into five practical planting areas.

A sunny plot, with a lightly shaded corner available Draining throughout; richer moist areas and a drier shoulder Explore the guide 8 species

Acid-Soil Berry Garden

Create an acid-soil woodland edge with six fruiting species and two habitat groundcovers, with clear zones for sun, shade and mature growth.

Sunny fruiting area with a separate cool, lightly shaded margin Acidic, humus-rich and draining; blueberry target pH 4.5–5.5 Explore the guide
Browse by vegetation layer

Build every layer of a food forest

Start with trees, shrubs, herbs, ground covers or climbers.

Canopy Trees for Food Forests Tall structural trees for the upper food-forest layer. 52 plant profiles
Fruit Trees for Food Forests Productive trees for layered orchards and edible landscapes. 84 plant profiles
Shrubs for Food Forests Woody plants for yields, habitat and mid-layer structure. 176 plant profiles
Herb-Layer Plants for Food Forests Herbaceous plants for food, habitat and soil functions. 241 plant profiles
Ground-Cover Plants for Food Forests Low plants that cover soil and create a living mulch. 76 plant profiles
Climbing Plants for Food Forests Vines and climbers that make productive use of vertical space. 32 plant profiles
Plant collections

Find plants for a specific place or purpose

Browse ready-made collections for shade, soil, climate and ecological functions.

Food Forest Plants for Partial Shade Plants recorded for woodland edges and filtered light. 402 plant profiles
Edible Ground-Cover Plants Low-growing plants with recorded edible uses. 75 plant profiles
Nitrogen-Fixing Shrubs Shrubs recorded with a nitrogen-fixing ecological function. 26 plant profiles
Bee Plants Flowering in March Curated bee plants with flowering records for March. 18 plant profiles
Food Forest Plants for USDA Zone 7 Plants whose recorded hardiness range includes USDA zone 7. 577 plant profiles
Drought-Tolerant Food Forest Plants Plants with linked dry-soil tolerance data. 23 plant profiles
Fruit Trees for Clay Soil Fruit trees with linked clay-soil tolerance data. 25 plant profiles
A few places to start

Get to know a selection of plants from the database.

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