PerennialGarden Mum
Chrysanthemum ×morifolium
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 1-3 feet × 1-2 feet (varies by variety)
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
GroundcoverGolden Creeper
Ernodea littoralis
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Low
- Size
- 1-2 feet × 3-6 feet
ShrubGolden Dewdrop
Duranta erecta
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 10-18 feet × 10-15 feet
GroundcoverGopher Apple
Licania michauxii
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Sun
- Water
- Low
- Size
- 0.5-1 feet × 6-10 feet
ShrubGrayleaf Teabush
Melochia tomentosa
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Low
- Size
- 6-10 feet × 6-8 feet (smaller with pruning)
HouseplantHeartleaf Philodendron
Philodendron hederaceum
- Light
- Part Shade, Full Shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- Dependent on variety × 12-24 inches
FernHolly Fern
Cyrtomium falcatum
- Light
- Part Shade, Full Shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 1-2 feet × 2-3 feet
ShrubIndian Hawthorn
Rhaphiolepis indica
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Low to Moderate
- Size
- 3-7 feet × 4-8 feet (varies by cultivar)
ShrubIxora
Ixora coccinea
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 4-6 feet × 4-6 feet (varies by cultivar)
TreeJacaranda
Jacaranda mimosifolia
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 25-40 feet × 40-60 feet
ShrubJatropha
Jatropha integerrima
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 8-15 feet × 6-10 feet
ShrubJuniper
Juniperus
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Low
- Size
- 1-25 feet × 3-8 feet (varies by species and cultivar)
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.
AnnualKale
Brassica oleracea var. sabellica
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 12-24 inches × 12-18 inches
PerennialLanceleaf Coreopsis
Coreopsis lanceolata
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Low
- Size
- 1-3 feet × 1-2 feet
PerennialLantana
Lantana camara
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Low
- Size
- 2-4 feet × 3-5 feet (varies by species and cultivar)
ShrubLigustrum
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 8-15 feet × 8-12 feet - often smaller when pruned as hedge
GroundcoverLiriope
Liriope muscari
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Shade, Full Shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 8-18 inches (varies by cultivar) × 12-18 inches
TreeMagnolia
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 15-80 feet × 10-40 feet
VineMandevilla
Mandevilla sanderi
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 3-10 feet × 3-5 feet
AnnualMarigold
Tagetes
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 6 inches to 3 feet × 6-24 inches (varies by type)
GrassMat Rush
Lomandra longifolia
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water
- Low to Moderate
- Size
- 2-3 feet × 2-3 feet (varies by cultivar - dwarf forms smaller)
PerennialMexican Petunia
Ruellia caerulea
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water
- Moderate
- Size
- 3-4 feet × 3-4 feet (dwarf cultivars 10-18 inches)
HerbMint
Mentha
- Light
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Water
- High
- Size
- 12-24 inches × 12-24 inches
GrassMuhly Grass
Muhlenbergia capillaris
- Light
- Full Sun
- Water
- Low
- Size
- 2-3 feet (foliage clump); flower stalks reach 4-5 feet × 2-3 feet
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.