Top 18 Coastal Plants that Thrive in Oceanic Environments

Gardening in coastal regions presents unique difficulties due to the sandy and fast-draining soil, as well as the high salt content that is further intensified by periodical flooding. Additionally, the unrelenting wind and ocean spray have a drying effect on both plants and soil. However, there are a variety of ornamental plants – including perennials, annuals, groundcovers, shrubs, and trees – that are well-suited to these challenging conditions. This list includes 18 of these plants, ranging from Sea Lavender and Switchgrass to Daylily and Rosemary.

Sea Lavender is a classic Mediterranean plant that can endure drought, wind, and salt spray due to its needle-like, gray-green leaves on erect woody stems. It’s an evergreen perennial in warm climates, growing into a small shrub. In cool climates, it can be grown in containers and overwintered indoors, resulting in smaller potted plants. The aromatic edible leaves are a useful addition to the kitchen, as they can be used fresh or dried. Sea Lavender’s mature size ranges from 2-6 ft. tall and 2-4 ft. wide. It thrives in full sun and sandy, loamy, well-drained soil, and bears light blue or white flowers. The scientific name of Sea Lavender is Salvia rosmarinus, and it’s suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 8-10.

Sea lavender, which is not related to lavender, grows in salt marshes and coastal sand dunes in Europe. It can withstand salty conditions and strong winds, and is also suitable for northern climates due to its winter-hardiness. During summer, it blooms with small paper-like flowers available in a variety of colors. Its scientific name is Limonium latifolium, and it can thrive in USDA Hardiness Zones 4-11 with full sun or partial shade. Sandy soil is ideal for sea lavender, and its mature size ranges from 1-3 ft. tall and 2 ft. wide.

Sea Holly is a fascinating tall ornamental grass that is originally from North America. This plant is an excellent choice for gardeners looking for a hardy and adaptable option that can survive drought and grow in various conditions. It is known to spread quickly through rhizomes, making it a great alternative to traditional lawn or for larger areas. The plant can be grown from seed and can be found from the southern regions of the United States to as far north as Canada. Its pink flowers are a beautiful sight to behold and can grow up to 6ft tall and 3ft wide. Sea Holly thrives in full sun or partial shade and can adapt to sandy, clay, or moist soil. With a USDA Hardiness Zone of 3-9, it’s a must-have for gardens everywhere.

The plant known as sea holly is not actually a type of holly, but it is found near the coast in Europe where it originates from. Despite its misleading name, this low-maintenance perennial is popular for its thistle-like flowerheads which add a striking touch to coastal gardens and other landscapes. However, its deep tap roots make it difficult to transplant, so it’s best to plant it in a permanent location for longevity. Sea holly thrives in full sun and well-drained sandy soil, and is capable of growing up to 2-3 feet tall and 1-2 feet wide. Its blue and purple flowers make it an attractive addition to any garden. Another plant to consider is the Northern Sea Oats.

Yarrow is a perennial ornamental plant that reaches its prime in the fall season with its bronze-colored seed heads gradually turning into golden hues. This grass is indigenous to North America and the eastern part of the United States, mostly found on the upper dunes along beachfronts. While its growth is slow in the north, it can spread vigorously in warm climates through rhizomes and seeds. Yarrow is scientifically known as Chasmanthium latifolium and can thrive in USDA Hardiness Zones 5-9. It prefers full sun or partial shade and well-drained loamy soil. The flower color is green, and when fully grown, it can reach a height and width of 2-3 feet.

Yarrow is an incredibly resilient plant that can grow in almost any type of soil as long as it gets full sun. Its fine, feather-like leaves give it a delicate, fern-like appearance, but don’t let that fool you – this is one tough plant. In fact, yarrow is so hardy that it can even tolerate salt, making it an excellent choice for coastal gardens. Not only does it attract pollinators like butterflies and bees, but it also comes in a wide range of colors, including white, yellow, pink, red, purple, and orange. However, it’s important to note that yarrow can spread quite aggressively, so it’s best to plant it with caution. If you’re looking for a resilient, beautiful addition to your garden, yarrow is definitely worth considering.

Daylilies are great choices for coastal gardens due to their ability to thrive in various types of soil, including sandy soils that drain quickly and heavy clay soils with poor drainage. Additionally, they can withstand high-salinity soils, drought, strong winds, and occasional flooding with brackish or salt water. With numerous varieties available in different heights and a diverse range of flower colors, daylilies offer plenty of options for gardeners. Lantana is another excellent plant option for coastal gardens.

Lantana, commonly known as an annual flower for hanging baskets and containers amongst Northern gardeners, is actually a fast-growing perennial shrub that thrives in warm climates. It is highly adaptable and salt-tolerant, making it a preferred choice for coastal gardens in frost-free regions. However, it is crucial to note that the plant can be invasive in certain areas of the Southern and Western part of the United States. Before planting lantana, it’s essential to check with your local Extension Office to ensure that there are no restrictions or regulations in your location. The scientific name of Lantana is Lantana camara, and it grows best in USDA Hardiness Zones 7-11, well-drained soil, and full sun exposure. The plant produces flowers in various colors ranging from red, orange, yellow, blue, white, to pink, and can reach a mature size of 6 ft. tall and wide.

The ninth plant on the list is called Lance-Leaf Coreopsis.

Coastal regions often experience soil dryness due to wind, which makes it an ideal environment for the flourishing of lance-leaf coreopsis. This wildflower is native to the southeastern region of the US and possesses daisy-like golden yellow flowers with hairy, lance-shaped leaves. It blooms in the early summer up to spring, providing a haven for various beneficial native insects. In addition to its species, there are multiple cultivars available for selection. Lance-leaf coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata) has a hardiness rating of 4-9 according to USDA. It requires full sun exposure and grows well in sandy, loamy, and well-drained soil. Its mature size ranges from 1-3 ft. tall and 1-2 ft. wide.

Getty Images presents captivating photos of Japan, Asia, and other parts of the world. If you’re on the hunt for an annual flower that can endure various weather conditions in a coastal garden, then moss rose might be right up your alley. This creeping succulent plant has impressive drought tolerance and comes in an array of flower colors. The delicate ruffled petals of its dainty flowers bear a striking resemblance to miniature roses. Scientifically known as Portulaca grandiflora, moss rose is adaptable to USDA hardiness zones 2-11, flourishing in full sunlit areas with sandy, well-drained soil. It attains a mature size of 3-8 inches tall and 6-12 inches wide. Another option for a coastal garden is the Red Hot Poker plant.

These stunning photos, taken by R A Kearton from Getty Images, showcase a plant native to South Africa that is known for its hardiness and salt-tolerance, making it a popular choice for seaside gardens even in areas as far north as Maine. The Kniphofia species, which vary in size from dwarf varieties standing at only two feet tall to larger ones reaching up to four feet in height, all share the same incredible flower spikes that attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. However, gardeners should be aware that due to the plant’s rapid rhizome spread, it is considered invasive in some states. This plant is commonly referred to as Red Hot Poker (Kniphofia spp.) and thrives in full sun with well-drained soil. Its striking flowers come in shades of red, yellow, and orange, and it can grow to be 3-4 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide.

Looking for a plant that thrives in coastal environments? Look no further than oleander! This evergreen beauty boasts dense, leathery foliage and produces fragrant flowers in shades of pink, red, orange, yellow, and white. It’s a spring and summer bloomer, but in warm climates, oleander can even bloom year-round. It grows best in sandy soil and requires full sun or partial shade. With a mature size of 8-19 feet tall and 6-10 feet wide, oleander is sure to make a statement in any coastal landscape.

Out of the 18 species, one popular type is the Eastern Prickly Pear.

The prickly pear plant is a hardy perennial that looks like a desert plant with its flat, paddle-like stems, narrow spines, and yellow blooms. It’s perfect for locations with warm, dry weather and is highly drought-tolerant, making it an ideal option for seashore areas. Despite its preference for hot climates, the prickly pear can withstand cold temperatures. Its scientific name is Opuntia humifusa, and it grows well in sandy, well-drained soils with full sun exposure. When mature, it can reach a height of 6-12 inches and a width of 12-18 inches. Another plant that shares similar characteristics is Adam’s Needle.

Adam’s needle is a type of succulent that thrives in coastal environments. Originally found on sandy beaches and fields in the southeastern part of the United States, this plant has adapted to thrive in other areas as well, including regions as far north as zone 5. It can grow in poor quality soil that is rocky or sandy and is also able to tolerate salt. During the summer, Adam’s needle produces white bell-shaped flowers. Known scientifically as Yucca filamentosa, this plant can reach a height of 2-3 feet and a width of 3-4 feet. It requires full sun exposure and well-drained, sandy soil. Another suitable option for coastal locations is bearberry.

Looking for a resilient and appealing groundcover that can withstand drought or salt? Think of bearberry – a small evergreen plant that is both tough and eye-catching. Its petite leaves turn a lovely bronze shade in autumn, and it bears small red berries that last until springtime. Bearberry’s high salt tolerance makes it an excellent option not only for groundcovers but also for urban areas that experience road salt runoff. This plant thrives best in well-drained, acidic soil, full sun, and USDA Hardiness Zones 2-6. Additionally, its flowers come in white or pink hues, with a mature size of 6-12 inches tall and 3-6 feet wide.

This particular rose is commonly known as the “beach rose” or “salt spray rose” because of its suitability to grow near the shore where it can tolerate the salty and poor soil while being exposed to the heat of the sun. Although easy to cultivate, it has a tendency to spread through suckers and create thickets which may not fit into a manicured garden. While it may not be the perfect picture-perfect rose, it possesses fragrant and lovely flowers. This type of rose has naturalized in northern coastal regions of the United States but can also be invasive in some areas. Before planting, consult with your local Extension Office for guidance. This rose is scientifically known as Rosa rugosa and is ideal for USDA Hardiness Zones 2-7. It thrives best in well-drained, loamy soil under full sun or partial shade. The flower color varies depending on the rose’s variety and can be pink, red, lavender, or white. When fully grown, it reaches a height of four to eight feet and a width of four to six feet.

The seventeenth out of eighteen species is the Shore Juniper.

One great option for low-growing junipers in coastal areas is the Shore juniper. It can be found naturally in Japan and Russia, and is a low-maintenance plant that works well for erosion control on slopes. This particular juniper thrives in sandy soil under full sun or partial shade. It doesn’t produce flowers, but can grow to be between 10-18 inches tall and 6-8 feet wide. Another excellent choice for coastal landscaping is the Live Oak.

This distinct evergreen oak, adorned with Spanish moss, can be found lining the shores of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic from Virginia to Texas. To accommodate its grand size, warm weather and ample space are necessary along with frequent pruning to control its spread. The live oak (Quercus virginiana), which can reach 40-80 feet in height and 60-100 feet in width, thrives in full sun or partial shade and prefers well-drained soil. This tree produces inconspicuous flowers and is best suited for USDA Hardiness Zones 8-10.