Frankenia salina
alkali heath
Pacific coast of North America (California to Baja California) and western South America (Chile, Peru)
Overview
Frankenia salina is a low, mat-forming perennial subshrub of coastal salt marshes, alkaline flats, and saline soils along the Pacific coast. Stems grow 4-16 inches (10-40 cm) long, often trailing and rooting at the nodes to form dense mats 12-36 inches (30-90 cm) across. The small, opposite leaves measure 0.1-0.3 inch (3-8 mm) long, narrow and revolute with inrolled margins, grey-green and often encrusted with salt excreted through specialized glands. Five-petaled flowers 0.2-0.4 inch (5-10 mm) wide open pink to rose-purple from the leaf axils between spring and autumn. The species tolerates saline and sodic substrates that exclude most vegetation, drawing salt into its tissues and shedding it through foliar glands. It withstands periodic tidal inundation, drought, and sandy or clay soils of high pH. Growth is slow, and the plant stays under 16 inches (40 cm) tall even in favorable conditions, which limits its use where vertical structure is wanted. In cultivation it is grown as a groundcover for coastal and alkaline sites, in rock gardens, and for erosion control on saline banks. Outside its native salt-influenced range it needs sharp drainage and full sun, and grows poorly in rich, moist, acidic garden soils.
Native Range
Native to the Pacific coast of North America from California through Baja California, Mexico, with disjunct populations along the coasts of Chile and Peru. It grows in coastal salt marshes, alkaline meadows, and saline flats.Suggested Uses
Used as a groundcover for coastal, saline, and alkaline sites, in rock gardens, and for erosion control on salt-affected banks. It also functions in restoration plantings of degraded salt marsh and tidal margins.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 1'4"
Width/Spread1' - 3'
Colors
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
pink to rose-purpleFoliage Description
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
Grow in full sun in sandy, gravelly, or clay soils with sharp drainage and a neutral to alkaline pH. The species tolerates saline and sodic conditions, salt spray, and seasonal flooding that few other plants endure. Once established it withstands extended drought and needs little to no supplemental water. It grows slowly and spreads by rooting stems into a low mat. Rich, moist, acidic soils reduce vigor and can cause rot. Hardy in USDA zones 8-10, it is damaged by hard frost in colder areas.Pruning
Little pruning is needed. Trailing stems can be trimmed in spring to contain the mat or remove winter-damaged growth. Shearing after flowering keeps the habit dense.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
early spring
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons