# Loam

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For other uses, see [Loam (disambiguation)](/source/Loam_(disambiguation)).

**Loam** (in [geology](/source/Geology) and [soil science](/source/Soil_science)) is [soil](/source/Soil) composed mostly of [sand](/source/Sand) ([particle size](/source/Particle_size) > 63 μm), [silt](/source/Silt) (particle size > 2 μm), and a smaller amount of [clay](/source/Clay) (particle size < 2 μm).[citation needed] By weight, its mineral composition is about 40–40–20% concentration of [sand](/source/Sand), [silt](/source/Silt) and clay, respectively.[1] These proportions can vary to a degree, however, and result in different types of loam soils: sandy loam, silty loam, clay loam, sandy clay loam, silty clay loam, and loam.[1]

In the [United States Department of Agriculture](/source/USDA), [textural classification triangle](/source/Soil_texture), the only soil that is not predominantly sand, silt, or clay is called "loam". Loam soils generally contain more nutrients, moisture, and [humus](/source/Humus) than sandy soils, have better drainage and infiltration of water and air than silt- and clay-rich soils, and are easier to [till](/source/Tillage) than clay soils. In fact, the primary definition of loam in most dictionaries is soils containing humus (organic content) with no mention of particle size or texture, and this definition is used by many gardeners. The different types of loam soils each have slightly different characteristics, with some draining liquids more efficiently than others. The soil's texture, especially its ability to retain nutrients and [water](/source/Ecohydrology#Soil_moisture_dynamics), are crucial.[2] Loam soil is suitable for growing most plant varieties.

[Bricks](/source/Bricks) made of loam, mud, sand, and water, with an added binding material such as rice husks or straw, have been used in construction since ancient times.

## Classifications

Loam soils can be classified into more specific subtypes. Some examples are sandy loam, silt loam, clay loam, and silty clay loam. Different soil phases have some variation in characteristics like stoniness and erosion that are too minor to affect native vegetative growth but can be significant for crop cultivation.[3]

## Use in farming

Loam is considered ideal for gardening and agricultural uses because it retains nutrients well and retains water while still allowing excess water to drain away.[4] A soil dominated by one or two of the three particle size groups can behave like loam if it has a strong granular structure, promoted by a high content of organic matter. However, a soil that meets the textural (geological) definition of loam can lose its characteristic desirable qualities when it is compacted, depleted of organic matter, or has clay dispersed throughout its fine-earth fraction.[clarification needed]

For example, pea can be cultivated in sandy loam and clay loam soils, but not more compacted sandy soils.[5]

## Use in house construction

Main article: [Earth structure](/source/Earth_structure)

Loam is traditionally widely used for the construction of houses, for example in loam [post and beam](/source/Timber_framing) construction.[6] Other techniques are e.g. [rammed earth](/source/Rammed_earth) or [adobe](/source/Adobe) (unfired loam bricks). Loam is well known for its capability to control air humidity. In countries with a high temperature like Morocco, thick walls built with loam help to keep the houses cool.[7]

## References

1. Kaufmann, Robert K. & Cutler J. Cleveland (2008). [*Environmental Science*](https://archive.org/details/environmentalsci0000kauf/page/318). McGraw-Hill. pp. [318–319](https://archive.org/details/environmentalsci0000kauf/page/318). ISBN 978-0-07-298429-3.

1. R. B. Brown (September 2007). ["Soil Texture"](https://nmsp.cals.cornell.edu/publications/factsheets/factsheet29.pdf). *Agronomy Fact Sheet Series: Fact Sheet SL-29*. [Cornell University](/source/Cornell_University), Department of Crop and Soil Sciences. Retrieved June 16, 2021.

1. [United States Department of Agriculture](/source/United_States_Department_of_Agriculture) Soil Survey, 1943

1. B. Rosie Lerner, "[What is Loam?](https://www.purdue.edu/hla/sites/yardandgarden/what-is-loam/)", [Purdue University](/source/Purdue_University) Consumer Horticulture, 6 January 2000. Retrieved 5 March 2017.

1. ["Field Pea: Agronomy"](https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/sandy-loam)

1. Schittich (Ed), Christian Schittich (2001). *Building Simply*. Birkhäuser Architecture. pp. 38–42. ISBN 3764372710.

1. ejpwallin (2016-09-19). ["Keeping cool: the use of evaporative cooling in vernacular Moroccan architecture."](https://spatialexperiments.wordpress.com/2016/09/19/keeping-cool-the-use-of-evaporative-cooling-in-vernacular-moroccan-architecture/). *spatial experiments*. Retrieved 2025-11-01.

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