This study was conducted to investigate the effect of simulated acid rain (SAR) on germination, growth, acid buffering capacity and nutrient leaching in Impatiens balsamina L. and Tagetes patula L.. In both species, germination was not inhibited at pH 4.0, but the germination rate decreased at the lower pH of 3.0, showing higher rate in Inpatiens balsamina L. than Tagetes patula L.. As the pH decreases, the growth of radicle was markedly decreased than that of hypocotyl in both species. The plant height, root length, leaf area, total dry weight, relative growth rate and net assimilation rate were inhibited by SAR. The acid buffering capacity in the leaves were increased at pH 4.0, on the other hand, it was shown a tendency to decrease at pH 2.0 in both species. As the pH levels decreased from 5.6 to 2.0, the nutrient leaching from leaves was significantly increased in both species. Based on the results, there are a great difference in the responses to SAR between the two species. In general, Tagetes patula L. represented a higher tolerance to SAR than Impatiens balsamina L.. These results suggested that interspecific variation in the acid buffering capacity and nutrient leaching from leaves may be responsible for the interspecific susceptibility to SAR.