Spergularia media
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Spergularia media

Greater Sea-spurrey · Coast sand-spurrey · Perennial Sea Spurrey · Intermediate sand-spurrey · Media sand-spurrey

Tier 2 Difficulty: medium Water: low Light: full_sun
Temperature
5–25 °C
Soil pH
6–7
Hardiness
Zone 4–4
Click count
5
Observations
160

Description

Source: leafsnap

Spergularia media (syn. S. maritima) is a species of flowering plant in the family Caryophyllaceae known by the common names media sandspurry and greater sea-spurrey. It is native to Eurasia and the Mediterranean, where it grows in many types of habitat, including disturbed areas, including places with saline substrates, such as salt marshes and beaches. It is known in many other parts of the world as an introduced species and a common roadside weed. In North America it is a "highway halophyte", often springing up at the margins of roads that are heavily salted in the winter.

Care Guide

💧 Water

Greater sea spurrey thrives in coastal environments, as it can tolerate saline soils and withstand dry periods between tides. It requires weekly watering to stay healthy and also benefits from the natural moisture found in coastal areas. This makes it an excellent choice for gardens in similar climates.

☀️ Light Full sun

Greater sea spurrey comes from open, well-lit habitats and performs best in full sun. It can tolerate some partial shade but prefers direct sunlight for optimal growth. This plant, which may be annual or biennial, is noted for its preference for sunny conditions.

Ideal: Full sun
🌡️ Temperature 5–25°C

Greater sea spurrey is native to temperate regions and prefers a moderate climate. It does best at temperatures of about 68 to 95 °F (20 to 35 ℃), so keep it in similar conditions for optimal growth.

Ideal temperature: 5–25°C
💨 Humidity
Humidity:
🪴 Soil 6-7
Soil pH: 6-7
🌱 Fertilizer

Greater sea spurrey does well with regular, low-strength fertilizer applications to encourage healthy leaf development. Fertilize Greater sea spurrey about once a month throughout the summer. Nitrogen is important for foliage, so supplying nitrogen-rich sources helps Greater sea spurrey thrive.

🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning

To maintain the health and appearance of greater sea spurrey, prune the plant from early to late spring. Remove any dead or damaged stems to improve airflow and reduce the risk of disease. Light shaping encourages natural growth and avoids the need for heavy pruning. Consistent maintenance not only enhances the plant's appearance but also boosts its bloom production, ensuring that greater sea spurrey adds a vibrant presence to your garden.

🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type
Herb
Life Cycle
Annual, Perennial
Genus
Spergularia
Family
Caryophyllaceae
Hardiness Zone
4
Mature Height
15 cm to 30 cm
Mature Spread
15 cm to 40 cm
Leaf Color
Green
Leaf Type
Deciduous
Flower Color
Pink, White
Flower Size
0.76 cm to 1.27 cm
Bloom Time
Late spring, Early summer, Mid summer
Planting Time
Spring, Summer, Autumn
Harvest Time
Mid summer, Late summer, Early fall
Native Area
Egypt, Turkey, Austria, Sweden, Pakistan, Morocco, Russia, Uzbekistan, Germany, Iraq, Romania, Belgium, France, Netherlands, Portugal, Tunisia, Mauritania, Bulgaria, Poland, Ukraine, China, Afghanistan, Norway, Italy, Kazakhstan, Spain, Denmark, Finland, Iran, Ireland, Algeria, United Kingdom, Turkmenistan

Tags (5)

Common Names (7)

en Greater Sea-spurrey
en Coast sand-spurrey
en Perennial Sea Spurrey
en Intermediate sand-spurrey
en Media sand-spurrey
en Middle-size sand-spurrey
en Stout sand-spurrey