Species

11 other cultivars

perennialN. America Native

Sea Thrift

Q: What zones can Sea Thrift grow in?

Sea Thrift is hardy in USDA Zones 4–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Q: Is Sea Thrift deer resistant?

Yes — Sea Thrift is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

Q: When does Sea Thrift bloom?

Sea Thrift typically blooms in mid-spring through early summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Q: Does Sea Thrift need full sun?

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

Q: Is Sea Thrift drought tolerant?

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

Armeria maritima 'Splendens'

$7.59

The Story

Plant Bio

Armeria maritima is a compact, evergreen perennial that forms dense, mounded tufts of stiff, grass-like foliage. It produces globular, papery flower heads on slender, leafless scapes rising above the basal rosettes.

'Splendens' is distinguished by its deep carmine to reddish-pink tubular flowers clustered into tight, two-centimeter pompom inflorescences. The vibrant blooms are subtended by dry, purplish-brown bracts that retain their color and texture as they age.

Uses & Benefits:

Forms neat, evergreen, grass-like mounds topped with vibrant carmine-pink pompom flowers, making it ideal for rockeries and path borders.

Highly salt-tolerant, making it excellent for stabilizing soil in coastal gardens exposed to ocean spray.

Provides nectar for native bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insect pollinators.

SpeciesArmeria maritimaSea Thrift

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

10"

Width

12"

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Low

Humidity

Low to Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Europe, North America, Asia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Mid-spring – Early summer

In flower about 3 months of the year

Marketplace

Where to Buy

American Meadows

<1 Gal PotBarerootTrays

In Stock$7.59

Nature Hills

In Stock$19.99

Shipping costs Year-round shipping Free shipping

Planting

How to Grow

Select a site in full sun with poor, sandy, or rocky soil that drains rapidly.
Dig a hole twice the width of the root ball and set the plant so the crown sits slightly above the soil line to prevent moisture accumulation.
Water sparingly after planting to settle the soil, then withhold regular irrigation once the root system is established.
Deadhead spent flower stems down to the foliage base throughout the season to encourage continuous blooming.

Pro Tip

Plant in poor, gritty, or sandy soil with exceptional drainage; attempting to pamper this species with rich loam, clay, or frequent irrigation triggers fatal crown rot.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant in sharply draining, gritty, or rocky soils.
Deadhead spent flower scapes down to the basal mound.
Provide full sun exposure for optimal flowering and compact growth.

Don't

Do not amend the soil with rich organic matter or heavy compost.
Do not prune hard into old, leafless woody crown tissue, as it fails to regenerate.
Do not overwater or allow the soil to remain waterlogged.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Deadhead
Divide
Fertilize
Spring Cleanup

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Rock gardensCoastal gardensBorder edgingGreen roofs

Companion Plants

Sedum Phlox subulata Sempervivum tectorum

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Sea Thrift questions

What zones can Sea Thrift grow in?

Sea Thrift is hardy in USDA Zones 4–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Sea Thrift deer resistant?

Yes — Sea Thrift is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Sea Thrift bloom?

Sea Thrift typically blooms in mid-spring through early summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Sea Thrift need full sun?

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

Is Sea Thrift drought tolerant?

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