Alphabetical Plant Listing

Heliotropium gnaphalodes (Sea Lavender)

Sea Lavender, Bay Lavender, Sea Rosemary, Beach Heliotrope, Argusia gnaphalodes, Mallotonia gnaphalodes, Tournefortia gnaphalodes


Heliotropium gnaphalodes (Sea Lavender) is an evergreen, mounding-to-sprawling shrub with slightly succulent, linear to spatulate leaves, 2-5 in. long (5-12 cm), densely arranged in tufts at the ends of the stems. Thick and stalkless, they are covered with soft, silky, light gray hairs, giving the plant a silvery look. Often, the dead leaves persist and hang on the stem. Blooming year-round, with a peak in fall and winter, small but showy flowers, white, pink, or lavender, with a greenish, yellowish or pinkish throat, are densely arranged in one-sided curled spikes. The blossoms have a mild, sweet fragrance, and they attract many pollinators, mostly butterflies. They give way to black or brown drupes enclosed in a corky head, which facilitates dispersal on ocean currents. Flowers and fruit are often present simultaneously. Found in dunes and thickets on the Atlantic coast of Central and South Florida, Sea lavender is excellent in coastal landscapes as a specimen plant, in a container, or planted in mass as a hedge or screen. Once established, it may form colonies as its low-growing branches take root when covered by sand. This makes Sea Lavender suitable for dune restoration projects as it helps stabilize dunes, and prevents or slows down erosion. A beautiful shrub for oceanfront gardens, it is susceptible to diseases inland. Sea Lavender is listed as endangered by the state of Florida.

  • Grows up to 3-6 ft. tall (90-180 cm) and 3-10 ft. wide (90-300 cm).
  • Performs best in full sun in dry to slightly moist, sandy or calcareous, well-drained soils. Highly drought tolerant once established, it withstands exposure to salt and hurricane winds. This plant has low nutritional needs
  • Perfect addition to coastal gardens as the plant is highly tolerant of saline beach soils and salt spray. In the landscape, Sea Lavender can be used as a specimen shrub, a foundation plant, a groundcover, or as an informal hedge.
  • No serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for root rot in irrigated landscapes. Overwatering and soils with high organic matter are the main reasons for failure in inland landscapes.
  • Can be grown from seeds, cuttings, and ground layers. Propagation using stem cuttings is easier and faster.
  • Toxic to horses.
  • Native plant found naturally along the Atlantic coast of central and south Florida.

Not sure which Heliotropium - Heliotrope to pick?
Compare All Heliotropium - Heliotrope

Buy Heliotropium gnaphalodes (Sea Lavender)

Requirements

Hardiness 9 – 12
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Heliotropium - Heliotrope
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 3' – 6' (90cm – 180cm)
Spread 3' – 10' (90cm – 3m)
Spacing 48" – 72" (120cm – 180cm)
Water Needs Low
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants United States, Southeast, Florida
Tolerance Drought, Dry Soil, Salt
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Ground Covers, Hedges and Screens, Patio and Containers
Garden Styles Coastal Garden

Buy Plants


Irra, Shutterstock, Daryl Mitchell, Marcy Hargan, Flickr

While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.


Requirements

Hardiness 9 – 12
Plant Type Shrubs
Plant Family Heliotropium - Heliotrope
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)
Summer (Early,Mid,Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 3' – 6' (90cm – 180cm)
Spread 3' – 10' (90cm – 3m)
Spacing 48" – 72" (120cm – 180cm)
Water Needs Low
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Fragrant, Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants United States, Southeast, Florida
Tolerance Drought, Dry Soil, Salt
Attracts Butterflies
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Ground Covers, Hedges and Screens, Patio and Containers
Garden Styles Coastal Garden

Plant Calculator

How many Heliotropium gnaphalodes (Sea Lavender) do I need for my garden?

%
ft
ft

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Heliotropium gnaphalodes (Sea Lavender)

Find your Hardiness Zone

Find your Climate Zone

Find your Heat Zone

Join Gardenia.net

Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

Join now and start creating your dream garden!

Create a New Collection

Optional. For your reference.


Move Selected Plants to a Different Collection


Delete Collection

This field is required.

Rename Collection

This field is required.