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Frankenia spp.
sea heath
Cosmopolitan on saline and arid soils worldwide
Overview
Frankenia spp. is a genus of about 70 low, mat-forming or woody perennials and subshrubs in the family Frankeniaceae, found on saline and arid ground around the world, including sea coasts, salt marshes, salt flats, and deserts. Plants are small and wiry, mostly 2-12 inches (5-30 cm) tall, spreading into dense low mats or low cushions of branching stems. The tiny, heath-like leaves are narrow with rolled-under margins and often carry a crust of excreted salt, an adaptation to salty soils. Small flowers 0.2-0.4 inch (5-10 mm) across open along the stems in summer, with four or five pink, rose, or white petals. Frankenia spp. species are halophytes, tolerating salinity, drought, heat, and poor soil that few other plants withstand, and several are used as ground-hugging cover and lawn substitutes in dry, coastal, or salty gardens. The mat-forming habit and salt tolerance make the genus useful for difficult sites, though plants are short-lived in rich, moist, or shaded ground and are damaged by heavy foot traffic on wet soil.
Native Range
Frankenia spp. has a worldwide distribution on saline and arid soils, with species native to the coasts and dry interiors of Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Americas. North American species grow on alkaline flats and sea coasts in the western and southern United States and Mexico.Suggested Uses
Frankenia spp. is grown as a low groundcover, lawn substitute, and filler between paving stones in dry, coastal, and saline gardens where many plants fail. It is planted on slopes, gravel gardens, and salt-affected ground for erosion control and low cover. The salt tolerance suits seaside and roadside plantings exposed to spray.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2" - 1'
Width/Spread1' - 3'
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs in summer, with small pink to white flowers opening along the stems over several weeks. The flowers are insect-pollinated and draw small bees and flies. Bloom is heaviest in full sun and tapers where plants are shaded or overgrown.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
pink to whiteFoliage Description
green to grey-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Frankenia spp. grows in full sun and sharp, free-draining sandy, gravelly, or saline soil, and tolerates salt spray, drought, and heat once established. Good drainage matters more than fertility, and plants decline in rich, wet, or shaded ground. They are raised from seed, cuttings, or division and spread by rooting stems to knit into a dense mat. Established plants need little or no irrigation in mild climates. Light foot traffic is tolerated in lawn-substitute plantings, but constant heavy traffic on wet soil thins the mat. Few pests or diseases trouble the genus.Pruning
Plants are trimmed or mown lightly after flowering to keep the mat dense and even. Old, woody, or bare patches are cut back to renew fresh rooting stems. No other routine pruning is needed.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons