Groundcover
Beach Tea
Croton punctatus
Varieties We Carry
StandardCroton punctatus
Sizes & Pricing
1 galFrom$9.95
Fresh this week. Last restocked Mar 9.
LightFull Sun
WaterLow
Mature size1-3 feet × 3-4 feet
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
Recommended forZone 9b · St. Augustine, FL
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This monthGood windowOther 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
Light
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.
Water
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.
Soil & Fertilizer
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.
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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.