ShrubAdam's Needle
Yucca filamentosa
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Low
- Size
- 2-4 feet; flower stalks 4-8 feet × 3-5 feet
Plant Collection
SaltTolerant
Plants built for life near the beach: salt spray, sandy soil, wind, heat, and bright coastal exposure.
Beach-proof picks for exposed gardens.
Read salt guideBrowse the collection
113 plants found
Narrow it down
Salt Tolerant Plants
Shrub
PerennialAfrican Iris
Dietes iridioides
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 2-4 feet × 2-3 feet
PerennialAgapanthus
Agapanthus praecox
- Light
- Part Shade, Full Sun
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 1-4 feet (foliage); flower scapes 2-4 feet above foliage × 1.5-3 feet
SucculentAgave
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Low
- Size
- 1-6 feet (rosette, varies widely by species) × 3-8 feet (varies by species)
SucculentAloe
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water
- Low
- Size
- 1-2 feet × 2-3 feet (clumping)
PerennialAlternanthera
Alternanthera brasiliana
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 1-3 feet × 1-2 feet
TreeAutograph Tree
Clusia rosea
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 25-30 feet × 15-25 feet
GroundcoverBaby Sun Rose
Aptenia cordifolia
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Sun
- Water
- Low
- Size
- 6-12 inches × 3+ feet (spreading)
VineBeach Bean
Canavalia rosea
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Low
- Size
- 0.5-1.5 feet × 20-40 feet
ShrubBeach Elder
Iva imbricata
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Low
- Size
- 2-4 feet × 2-4 feet
VineBeach Morning Glory
Ipomoea imperati
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Low
- Size
- 4-8 inches × spreading up to 30 feet along ground
ShrubBeautyberry
Callicarpa americana
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water
- Low
- Size
- 3-8 feet × 4-8 feet
Match the plant to the exposure
Beachfront, transition, and inland sites do not need the same plants. Salt-tolerant selections work best when the toughest species face the spray and more sensitive plants sit behind protection.
AnnualBegonia
Begonia hybrida
- Light
- Part Shade, Full Sun
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 6-18 inches × 6-12 inches (varies by type)
AnnualBell Pepper
Capsicum annuum
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 18-36 inches × 18-24 inches
PerennialBird of Paradise
Strelitzia reginae
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 3-5 feet × 2-4 feet
PerennialBlanket Flower
Gaillardia pulchella
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Low
- Size
- 1-2 feet × 1-2 feet
GroundcoverBlue Daze
Evolvulus glomeratus
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 12-18 inches × 24 inches
TreeBottlebrush
Callistemon
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Low
- Size
- 3-15 feet × 8-12 feet (can be pruned smaller)
VineBougainvillea
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Low
- Size
- Dependent on variety × 10-20 feet
SucculentBulbine Lily
Bulbine
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Low
- Size
- 12-18 inches × 18-48 inches (clumps spread up to 4 ft wide over time)
ShrubBush Daisy
Euryops pectinatus
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Low to Moderate
- Size
- 2-3 feet (up to 4 ft in optimal conditions) × 3-4 feet
ShrubButterfly Bush
Buddleja davidii
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 6-12 feet (can be maintained 4-5 ft with pruning) × 4-15 feet (typically 4-6 ft with regular pruning in NE Florida)
TreeButtonwood
Conocarpus erectus
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 20-40 feet × 20-30 feet (can be maintained smaller with pruning)
AnnualCabbage
Brassica oleracea var. capitata
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- High
- Size
- 12-18 inches × 18-24 inches (head size varies by variety)
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Salt Tolerant Questions
What does salt tolerant mean for coastal gardens?+
Salt-tolerant plants handle some salt spray, sandy soil, wind, or coastal exposure better than sensitive landscape plants.
Do salt-tolerant plants work directly on the beach?+
Beachfront sites need the toughest high-salt plants; inland coastal yards can often use moderate salt-tolerant selections.
Should I still water salt-tolerant plants after planting?+
Yes. Salt tolerance does not replace establishment watering, especially during hot, windy, or dry weeks after planting.
How do I choose salt-tolerant plants for my exposure?+
Match the plant to how much salt it actually faces. Front-line beach beds need high-salt plants, while inland coastal yards can use moderate ones. We can help you match by site.
When is the best time to plant in a coastal yard?+
Fall and winter let roots establish before summer heat and storms, though container plants can go in year round with steady establishment water.
What is a good salt-tolerant groundcover for Florida?+
Salt-tolerant groundcovers for Florida include beach sunflower, railroad vine, sunshine mimosa, and perennial peanut. They handle coastal exposure, sandy soil, and heat while filling beds and slopes.