PerennialCanna Lily
Canna generalis
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- High
- Size
- 3-6 feet × 2-3 feet (varies by cultivar
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
Perennial
PerennialCardinal Flower
Lobelia cardinalis
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water
- High
- Size
- 2-5 feet × 1-2 feet
ShrubCarolina Wolfberry
Lycium carolinianum
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Low to Moderate
- Size
- 4-8 feet × 3-6 feet
PerennialCast Iron Plant
Aspidistra elatior
- Light
- Part Shade, Full Shade
- Water
- Low
- Size
- 18-24 inches × 24-36 inches (spreads slowly by rhizomes)
AnnualCauliflower
Brassica oleracea var. botrytis
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 1-2 feet × 1-2 feet
AnnualCelosia
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 1-3 feet × 1-2 feet (varies by cultivar)
TreeChaste Tree
Vitex agnus-castus
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Low
- Size
- 10-15 feet × 15-20 feet
ShrubCoastal Rosemary
Westringia fruticosa
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Sun
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 4-6 feet × 5-8 feet
PerennialCoastalplain Palafox
Palafoxia integrifolia
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Low
- Size
- 3-5 feet × 2-4 feet
AnnualColeus
Solenostemon scutellarioides
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 10-24 inches × 12-18 inches (varies by cultivar)
AnnualCosmos
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Low to Moderate
- Size
- 1-3 feet (C. sulphureus); up to 6 feet for C. bipinnatus × 2-3 feet (varies by cultivar)
PerennialCrinum Lily
Crinum asiaticum
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 3-6 feet × 4-7 feet (clumps spread wider over time)
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.
ShrubCroton
Codiaeum variegatum
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Sun
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 3-6 feet × 3-5 feet (varies by cultivar)
SucculentCrown of Thorns
Euphorbia milii
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Low
- Size
- 2-5 feet × 3-5 feet
PerennialDaylily
Hemerocallis
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 1-4 feet × 1.5-3 feet (varies by cultivar)
AnnualDianthus
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 6-12 inches × 8-12 inches (varies by variety)
HouseplantDracaena
- Light
- Part Shade
- Water
- Low to Moderate
- Size
- 2-10 feet × 1-3 feet
HouseplantFalse Aralia
Plerandra elegantissima
- Light
- Bright Indirect Light, Part Shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 5-8 feet (container/indoor); to 15+ feet outdoors in zones 10-12 × 2-3 feet
TreeFiddlewood
Citharexylum spinosum
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water
- Low to Moderate
- Size
- 10-20 feet × 8-12 feet
ShrubFirebush
Hamelia patens
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Sun
- Water
- Low
- Size
- 5-15 feet × 5-8 feet
ShrubFirecracker Plant
Russelia equisetiformis
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Low to Moderate
- Size
- 3-5 feet × 6-12 feet
PerennialFlax Lily
Dianella tasmanica
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 1-3 feet × 2-3 feet (spreading clumps)
ShrubFlorida Pennyroyal
Piloblephis rigida
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Low
- Size
- 8-12 inches × 12-18 inches
GroundcoverFrogfruit
Phyla nodiflora
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 2-4 inches × spreading indefinitely via stolons
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.