perennial · design plant record
Armeria maritima
Sea thrift
A small flowering clump for a suitable coastal or rock-garden edge. Use a low group where fine foliage and flower heads can be seen.
- Height at maturity
- 0.15–0.61 m (0.5–2 ft)
- Spread at maturity
- 0.15–0.31 m (0.5–1 ft)
- Light
- Sun / Part shade
- Moisture
- Drier soil after establishment
- Source-reported USDA zones
- 4–8 · verify subzone and cultivar
- Principal seasonal role
- Spring, Summer
Fit it to the site
Sharply draining sandy or rocky soil. The source favours cool coastal environments and records salt tolerance.
Reject persistently wet ground and do not assume suitability for every hot coast. Flowering stems and named cultivars account for substantial height variation.
Keep the care in the decision
Check establishment moisture without keeping crowns saturated. Inspect for rot or pests and remove competing weeds while they are small.
Origin & safety checks
Parts of the Northern Hemisphere; subspecies have different ranges. Verify local provenance for habitat work.
Toxicity not assessed. Salt tolerance is a growing characteristic, not an edible-use or pollution-safety claim.
Check current invasive restrictions with your local plant-health or extension authority. For pets, use the exact botanical name in a veterinary toxicity reference; for potential ingestion or exposure, get appropriate professional advice rather than relying on a design guide.
Factual source · checked 3 October 2026
NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Armeria maritima
Ranges are rounded metric conversions of the source's dimensions. Growth varies with cultivar and conditions. Linked source photographs can help verify identity; our concept garden images cannot.