Sea Thrift 1 to 5 of 5 total
Sea Thrift 1 to 5 of 5 total
Sea Thrift
Uses:
- Edging
- Container Gardens
- Rock Gardens
Features:
- Long Blooming
- Attracts Pollinators
- Critter Resistant
- Salt Tolerant
Sunlight:
- Partial Sun to Full Sun
- At Least 5 Hours of Direct Sunlight
Growing Zones:
- 3-9
- What is My Zone?
Sea thrift is a compact, herbaceous perennial that can handle challenging landscapes sites. Its evergreen foliage forms a low mat, which is useful as a ground cover to suppress weeds. In spring, pink, white, or purple flowers bloom in pom-pom-shaped clusters. Some varieties are native to parts of the US and Canada and grow readily in coastal gardens and gravelly sites. These hardy plants thrive in sunny locations with well-drained soil and can be used to edge perennial beds and walkways, or fill containers.
About Sea Thrift
Genus
Species
Family
Armeria
Maritima, pseudarmeria, juniperifolia
Plumbaginaceae
Common Names:
Cliff Rose, Common Thrift, Cushion Pink, Lady's Cushion, Lady's Pincushion, Maritime Thrift, Marsh Daisy, Sea Gilliflower, Sea Grass, Sea Pink, Sea Thrift
Native To:
Europe, Asia, and North America
Plant Type:
Perennials
Foliage Type:
Evergreen, Semi-Evergreen, Herbaceous
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
4 - 8
Flower Color:
Pink, White, Red
Flower Bloom Time:
Spring to early summer
Growth Habit:
Clumping, Spreading, Mounded
Attracts:
Bees, Butterflies
Tolerates:
Drought, Heat, Humidity, Harsh Winters
Resists:
Deer, Rabbits, Voles, Moles, Diseases, Pests
How To Use Sea Thrift In The Garden
Sea Thrift (Armeria maritima) is a compact, evergreen perennial forming dense tufts of grass-like, dark green leaves. In mid to late spring, it produces abundant, globe-shaped clusters of pink or white flowers on slender stems. This plant is perfect for coastal gardens due to its high tolerance for salt and drought conditions.
Dot groupings of sea thrift along a gravel path or rockery to create sculptural mounds of delicate, grass-like leaves. Reserve a sunny spot at the front of a border for its tidy tufts and charming clusters of pink or white blooms. This low-growing perennial also performs well in containers and trough gardens, especially where top-tier drainage is guaranteed. If you like mixing textures, try planting sea thrift among similarly drought-tolerant neighbors like candy tuft or daylilies.
Sea Thrift Care
Plant Sea Thrift in full to part sun, with morning sun and afternoon shade preferred in southern regions. Sandy, well-draining soil with low organic content is ideal, as overly rich soil can lead to leggy growth. Young plants require regular watering to establish roots, while established plants are drought-tolerant, needing water only during extended dry periods. Fertilization is unnecessary and may promote weak growth.
Prune dead or damaged growth at any time, and remove faded flowers to encourage sporadic reblooming. For winter care, apply a thick layer of mulch to protect roots from cold temperatures. In early to mid-spring, tidy the plant by eliminating any damaged growth before new growth appears. Sea Thrift's clump-forming habit makes it suitable for containers; place the pot in a sunny location with sandy, well-draining soil, and water when the potting mix is dry.
Learn More About Sea Thrift
Sea Thrift Companion Plants
Site sea thrift where the soil is sandy or rocky, drains fast, and bakes in full sun, because its companions must handle the same lean, dry conditions. Heather knits through the planting with evergreen texture while echoing the mounded form of thrift. Sedum supplies late‑season succulence that shrugs off drought, while dianthus weaves in low cushions of color that share the same lime‑hating, nutrient‑poor tastes. Framing the trio, viburnum rises behind with airy spring bloom and wildlife‑friendly berries yet roots happily in the same unfussy ground, tying the planting into a balanced, long‑season display.
