A septic system consists of several components. The drain pipe collects all of the household wastewater and routes it to the septic tank where the solid waste settles to the bottom of the tank. The liquid waste flows from the septic tank out into the drain field (also called a leech field) where it percolates into the soil.
The drain field is a series of perforated pipes buried a few feet underground in your yard. The drain field is usually installed in a flat area cleared of vegetation. Once the septic system is installed, the question that often arises is what type of plants can be planted over the drain field.
The short answer is that plants with shallow root systems are OK to plant over a septic field. Any sort of plants, trees, or shrubs with deep root systems can cause very serious problems with your septic system. Since the septic field is made from perforated pipes, it is very easy for any deep root systems to infiltrate the septic field and clog the septic field drain lines necessitating an expensive drain field repair.
Grasses and weeds are safe to grow over septic fields. In fact, a healthy turf lawn will hold the soil in place, minimize erosion, and contribute to a healthy drain field. Flowers with shallow root systems are also acceptable to grow over a septic field.
Shrubs and trees have root systems that grow too deep to plant over a septic field. Shrubs and small trees with limited root systems can be planted 30 to 40 feet away from a septic field, but trees and shrubs that bear fruit or that grow extensive roots systems should be planted farther away.
