What hardiness zones is Armeria maritima suitable for?

Armeria maritima is suitable for USDA hardiness zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

What are the sun requirements for Armeria maritima?

Armeria maritima requires Full Sun.

How much water does Armeria maritima need?

Armeria maritima has Low water needs.

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Perennials

Armeria maritima

sea thift

Plumbaginaceae

Europe (Atlantic coast, Mediterranean), North America (arctic and alpine)

At a Glance

TypePerennial

HabitMounding

FoliageEvergreen

Height6-12 inches (15-30 cm)

Width9-15 inches (23-38 cm)

Maturity3 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 8

Zone 4

Zone 5

Zone 6

Zone 7

Zone 8

These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.

Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Attracts Butterflies

Deer Resistant

Drought Tolerant

Container Friendly

Native to North America

Maintenancelow

Overview

A compact evergreen perennial forming a cushion-like mound of narrow, linear, grass-like leaves 6-10 inches (15-25 cm) tall and 9-15 inches (23-38 cm) wide. Leaves are 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long and less than 0.25 inches (6 mm) wide, dark green, arising in a dense basal tuft from a woody taproot. Flower stems are leafless, 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) tall, each bearing one globular flower head 0.75-1 inch (2-2.5 cm) across, composed of numerous small flowers in shades of pink (occasionally white or deep red), surrounded by papery, brownish bracts. Blooming is most prolific in spring, with sporadic repeat flowering through summer and into fall. Individual flower heads last 3-4 weeks fresh; papery bracts persist on the stem after petals drop, remaining decorative for several additional weeks. Spread is slow via the taproot system; clumps do not spread invasively. Plant longevity is typically 5-10 years; central die-out may occur in old clumps.

Native Range

Native across coastal and montane habitats of the Northern Hemisphere, including the Atlantic coasts of Europe from Portugal to Norway, the British Isles, the Mediterranean, and arctic and alpine areas of North America and Asia. Found on coastal bluffs, rocky cliff edges, salt marshes, and high-elevation rocky slopes in thin, poor, well-drained soils. Tolerates salt spray and windswept, exposed positions.

Suggested Uses

Planted in rock gardens, gravel gardens, coastal plantings, and dry borders at 12-15 inch (30-38 cm) spacing. Grows in containers of at least 1 gallon (3.8 L) with sharply drained potting medium; requires little water once established. Used in green roofs and xeriscape designs where drainage is excellent.

How to Identify

Identified by its cushion-forming habit with narrow, grass-like leaves under 0.25 inches (6 mm) wide arranged in a dense basal tuft, and globular flower heads of small pink flowers held on leafless scapes 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) tall. The papery bracts beneath and surrounding the flower head are brown and persist after bloom. Distinguished from ornamental grasses by the presence of these showy, long-lasting flower heads.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6" - 1'

Width/Spread9" - 1'3"

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

pink

white

red

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~10 weeks

Spring

Primary bloom April through June in zones 4-8; sporadic rebloom may occur through summer and into September in zones 4-6 if spent heads are removed promptly. In zone 8 and warmer, spring bloom may begin in March. Individual flower heads are ornamental for 3-4 weeks fresh, with papery bracts persisting an additional 3-4 weeks. Total bloom period with deadheading is 8-12 weeks.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Pink (occasionally white or deep red); globular flower heads

Foliage Description

Dark green, narrow, linear, grass-like

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sandloam

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Plant in poor to moderately fertile, well-drained to dry soil in full sun. Rich or moist soils cause central rot, which kills plants; do not amend with compost or apply nitrogen fertilizer. Water during establishment in the first growing season; once established, plants in well-drained sites require no supplemental irrigation in zones 4-7 with normal rainfall. Division every 3-5 years in early spring helps prevent central die-out in older clumps. In humid climates with clay soil, plant on slopes or raised beds to ensure drainage. No pest or disease problems are common in properly sited plants.

Pruning

Remove spent flower heads by cutting the scape at its base after petals drop to encourage repeat bloom. In early spring, trim any dead or brown leaf tips from the edges of the mound using shears; do not cut into the green center of the cushion, as the woody taproot may not regenerate from a hard cutback. No other pruning is required.

Pruning Schedule

early springlate spring

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 1 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic