Species

Westringia fruticosaCoastal Rosemary

5 other cultivars

groundcover

Coast Rosemary

Westringia fruticosa 'Mundi'

The Story

Plant Bio

Westringia fruticosa, commonly known as coast rosemary, is an evergreen Australian shrub native to coastal cliffs and sandy dunes. The species features narrow, linear leaves arranged in whorls and produces small, tubular flowers that withstand harsh, salt-laden winds.

'Mundi' is a low-growing, wide-spreading cultivar selected for its prostrate habit that forms a dense ground cover up to 1.5 metres wide. It produces white flowers in spring that are larger than those of the wild species, set against soft grey-green foliage.

Uses & Benefits:

Forms a neat, low-mounding carpet of soft grey-green foliage covered in white flowers during spring.

Provides exceptional erosion control on slopes and tolerates harsh coastal salt-laden winds.

Supports small native bees, beneficial insects, butterflies, and smaller insectivorous or nectar-feeding Australian birds.

SpeciesWestringia fruticosaCoastal Rosemary

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Groundcover

Height

18 inches

Width

59 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

Moderate to high

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Australia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Spring

In flower about 1 month of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun to partial shade with highly draining soil.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and of equal depth, mounding the soil in heavy clay areas to improve drainage.
Position the plant, backfill with native soil, and firm down gently without burying the stem.
Water thoroughly for the first six weeks until established, then rely primarily on natural rainfall.

Pro Tip

Avoid planting in heavy, wet clay without mounding, as poor drainage triggers root rot; when pruning, never cut back into old, leafless woody stems because they lack the capacity to reshoot.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant in highly permeable soil or raised mounds to prevent waterlogging.
Prune lightly after the spring flowering flush to maintain a tight, dense form.
Apply a low-phosphorus native fertiliser in spring if soil nutrients are poor.

Don't

Do not over-water once established, as permanently wet soil causes root rot.
Do not prune heavily into old, bare wood where new shoots cannot emerge.
Do not plant in deep shade, which reduces foliage density and flower count.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Fertilize
Mulch
Pest Check
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Ground coverCoastal gardensMass plantingsErosion control on embankments

Companion Plants

Lomandra longifolia Correa alba Anigozanthos flavidus

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Coast Rosemary questions

What zones can Coast Rosemary grow in?

Coast Rosemary is hardy in USDA Zones 9–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

When does Coast Rosemary bloom?

Coast Rosemary typically blooms in spring through spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Coast Rosemary need full sun?

Coast Rosemary does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Coast Rosemary drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Coast Rosemary handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.