Overview
Spergularia spp. is a genus of about 60 species of small annual to short-lived perennial herbs in the pink family, Caryophyllaceae, known as sand-spurries, found on most continents and often on saline or disturbed ground. Plants are low and spreading to loosely tufted, 2 to 12 inches (5 to 30 cm) tall, with slender, branching, often reddish stems. The leaves are narrow, fleshy, and almost cylindrical, paired or clustered at the nodes with papery scales at their base. From spring through autumn the stems carry small five-petalled flowers about 0.1 to 0.3 inch (3 to 8 mm) across, in pink, rose, or white, opening in sun and closing in dull weather. The flowers are followed by small capsules holding many tiny seeds. Spergularia spp. grows on coastal sand, salt marsh edges, saline flats, roadsides, paths, and other disturbed, often compacted ground, and several species tolerate salt that excludes most other plants. The genus includes S. rubra, red sandspurry, a low weed of gravel, paths, and poor lawns, and S. marina, a salt-marsh annual. Most species are small, short-lived, and reliant on heavy seeding to persist in open, harsh sites.
Native Range
Spergularia spp. occurs on most continents, with species native to Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Australia, often along coasts and inland salt flats. Several species have spread as weeds well beyond their native range. Plants grow on saline, sandy, and disturbed ground.Suggested Uses
Spergularia spp. is grown mainly in coastal, gravel, and saline plantings and occasionally in green-roof and crevice schemes where its salt and drought tolerance is useful. Most often, however, the genus is managed as a weed of paths, gravel, and poor lawns rather than planted. A few species are of interest for restoring salt-marsh and dune ground.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2" - 1'
Width/Spread4" - 1'4"
Bloom Information
Spergularia spp. flowers over a long season from spring into autumn, roughly April to October, opening small pink to white flowers a few at a time. The flowers open in bright weather and close in dull or wet conditions. Seed ripens quickly and the plants self-sow freely.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
pink, rose, or whiteFoliage Description
green, often reddishGrowing 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
Water & Climate
Water Needs
Drought Tolerance
Drought tolerant when established
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Spergularia spp. species grow in full sun on poor, sandy, gravelly, or saline soils and tolerate salt, compaction, and drought that exclude many other plants. Most are annual or short-lived and rely on abundant seed to persist, germinating on bare or disturbed ground. They need no feeding or watering once established and grow weakly in rich or shaded soil. Because several species are weeds of paths, gravel, and lawns, they are usually managed rather than cultivated. Where grown, plants are raised from seed scattered on lean, open ground. They are little troubled by pests.Pruning
Pruning is not used with Spergularia spp., which is a small, short-lived plant. Where it grows as a weed, plants are pulled or hoed before they set seed to limit spread. No cutting back or shaping is involved.✓ Toxicity
Non-toxicPlanting Guide
Planting Methods & Timing
Planting Method
direct sow
Direct Sow Timing
Spring, surface-sown on lean, open ground
Days to Maturity
60–120 days