Sea daisy
Pallenis maritima
A cheerful, salt-proof ground cover that carpets hot, sandy coastal edges with yellow daisies and steady pollinator forage. Frost-shy — it wants full sun and sharp drainage.
Sea daisy in a syntropic line
Sea daisy belongs in the Ground cover layer as a Placenta species. Aim for 2–4 species for resilient, continuous cover. Rough in-row spacing starts around 0.3 m in a syntropic row. Good line partners include Bladder senna, Butterfly bush, Carob tree. As a Placenta species it establishes fast, then gets cut back or phased out as longer-lived layers take over.
Tolerances and growing conditions
- Strata
- Ground cover
- Lifecycle
- Placenta
- Soil preference
- Sandy, Rocky
- Soil pH range
- 6.5 – 8.5
- Min. temperature
- -6°C
- Min. rainfall
- 350 mm/year
- Wind tolerance
- High
- Frost tolerance
- Low
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Irrigation needed
- Low
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Waterlogging tolerance
- Low
- Origin
- Mediterranean
- Native to Portugal
- No
How to manage it
Salt- and drought-tolerant coastal ground cover for pollinators; shear after flowering to keep it compact and prevent legginess.
How to propagate
Sow seed in spring or divide established clumps.
Guidance, not a guarantee — success varies by species and skill.
What to watch out for
Frost-tender; needs sharp drainage and full sun.
Frequently asked questions about Sea daisy
Is sea daisy frost-hardy?
Yes for winter cold in many climates — generally hardy to around -6°C when dormant, with low frost tolerance in the catalog. Flowering crops can still lose a season to late frost, so site them carefully.
What soil does sea daisy need?
It does best on sandy, rocky ground, at pH about 6.5–8.5.
How much water does sea daisy need?
Plan for a rainfall floor around 350 mm/year, plus low irrigation once established.
Can sea daisy handle wet or waterlogged soil?
Poorly — sea daisy has low waterlogging tolerance, so keep it off winter-wet clay and standing water.
What should I watch out for with sea daisy?
Frost-tender; needs sharp drainage and full sun.
Sea daisy in soil templates
Design your line to see how your land fits Sea daisy.
Start designing your line →