Beach Tea
Croton punctatus
Varieties We Bring In
Last received Mar 9, 2026.
We bring this in seasonally, so what is on the lot changes week to week. A received date shows when it last came in, not that it is here today.
Call (904) 471-0440 to confirm this plant and size before you make the trip.
About Beach Tea
Beach Tea (Croton punctatus) is a low, dense native shrub of Florida's coastal dunes, prized for its silvery-scaled foliage and small, fragrant white flowers that bloom nearly year-round. Hardy in zone 9b, it stabilizes sandy soils and attracts pollinators while tolerating drought, salt wind, and full coastal sun. Starting at $9.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
- Flower Color
- Purple, Pink
- Growth Rate
- Moderate
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- Sandy, Well-drained
Best planting months
Seasonal care
Bloom season. Good planting window.
Bloom season. Handles summer heat well once established.
Bloom season. Ideal planting window.
Bloom season. Retains foliage through winter.
Care essentials
Beach Tea requires full sun to thrive; it is naturally adapted to open coastal dunes where it receives intense, unfiltered sunlight all day. Avoid shade, which causes weak, open growth.
Extremely drought-tolerant once established; rely on natural rainfall in NE Florida. Water only during dry establishment periods. It tolerates salt wind and nutrient-poor soils but will not tolerate waterlogged conditions.
Plant in well-drained, sandy coastal soil. Fertilizer is not needed — Beach Tea is adapted to nutrient-poor dune sands. Good drainage is essential; amend heavier soils with coarse sand to improve drainage.
Similar needs
Baby Sun Rose
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Golden Creeper
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Gopher Apple
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Lamb's Ear
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Perennial Peanut
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Twinflower
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
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Common questions
Is Beach Tea a good plant for St. Augustine?
Beach Tea is a groundcover for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, reaching 1-3 feet × 3-4 feet.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed March 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.