15 Great Plants To Grow Near The Ocean

There’s a reason coastal gardens look different than inland gardens, and it isn’t just personal taste. Plants near the shoreline have to survive strong winds, salty conditions, and unique soil types. These trying conditions limit what you can grow along saltwater coasts. While you can’t grow everything, there are still many beautiful plants that thrive near the sea.

Some of the most beautiful and common flowering plants you can grow near the ocean include daylilies, geraniums, hydrangeas, lantana, and yarrow. Other beautiful plants that thrive by the sea include sea holly, sea kale, and the rugosa rose. Resilient ornamental plants you can grow along the shore include sea oats, aloe, and juniper. Rosemary and lavender are two fragrant herbs that do well in coastal gardens.

If you live near the coast and regularly experience a salty breeze, you are probably already aware of the unique gardening challenges these conditions present. While many plants struggle near the coast, others do well. If you are looking to revamp your coastal garden, then keep reading. Below is a list of beautiful plants that thrive in the salty and windy conditions found near the ocean.

15 Beautiful Plants To Grow In Your Coastal Garden

1. Daylily

The daylily is a beautiful flower that is surprisingly resilient. It can grow in various soils, from sandy, well-drained soil to denser dirt types. It can also survive in salty conditions, which makes it an ideal flower to grow along the coast.

Don’t be fooled by the delicate appearance of the daylily, as it can also withstand wind gusts that come along with living near the ocean. These flowers love the sun, but you can also plant them in partial shade.

2. Sea Oats

Sea oats are plants that look like their name suggests. They are tall grasses with large oat-like plumes that thrive in sandy soils along the sea. These are beautiful decorative grasses that can grow more than five feet tall. This makes them a great plant to grow for privacy when you live near the coast.

Sea oats grow in very sandy soil and are often found in dunes, particularly in the Southeastern United States. If you live on a beachfront property or have sand in your yard, then sea oats are a great plant to add.

3. Rosemary

You may find growing vegetables more challenging near saltwater. This is because many vegetables can’t handle high salinity in the soil. There are, however, a few herbs that can withstand harsh coastal growing conditions. Rosemary is one such herb.

Rosemary smells like a Christmas tree and has many culinary and medicinal uses. It is known for its evergreen-like appearance, and as it matures, it develops a thicker trunk and strong branches. This makes rosemary a durable herb that can withstand intense wind gusts often found by the shore.

4. Lavender 

Lavender is another fragrant herb with many uses that can survive in coastal areas. This plant is easily identifiable by its aromatic and beautiful purple flowers. This plant is native to the Mediterranean region. Therefore, it’s no surprise that it is naturally suited for salty and sandy soil.

While lavender isn’t as sturdy as rosemary, it is still considered quite strong and very tolerant of wind once it’s established. There is even a variety of this herb called sea lavender that is particularly suited for the harsher coastal climates.

5. Yarrow

Yarrow is a fantastic plant to grow in all sorts of gardens. For one, it’s great at attracting pollinators like hummingbirds and butterflies. It has also been used as a medicinal plant for centuries. Yarrow is effective at slowing bleeding and clotting cuts.

Yarrow has tiny clusters of flowers that vary in color from white to vibrant red. It can survive in many soil types, including salty and sandy soil. It can also brave intense coastal winds.

6. Aloe

If you live in a subtropical or tropical coastal climate, then there are several succulents you can plant in your coastal garden. Aloe has many uses and is particularly great for treating sunburn and dry skin. It can also easily grow near the ocean.

As a succulent, aloe is more drought-tolerant than your average plant. It also likes sandy and rocky soil that is often found near the ocean. It can also withstand salinity better than many plants.

7. Sea Holly (Eryngos)

Sea holly is a flowering plant that is particularly adapted to grow by the ocean. This is another plant that comes from the Mediterranean, and it does great in sunny, salty, and breezy conditions. It has stunning and long-lasting blueish flowers that can add unique color to any coastal garden.

This plant has also been used medicinally for its anti-aging properties, which can be an added benefit for those looking to achieve youthful-looking skin naturally.

8. Juniper

If you have struggled to grow large shrubs and trees on your sandy coastal property, then try juniper. This tree and shrub species is an evergreen that is as resilient as it is versatile. It has great drought tolerance, can thrive in many soil types, and can handle higher levels of salinity in soil than most trees.

Once juniper is established, it can also withstand strong winds, even as it grows larger.

9. Rugosa Rose

If you want to grow roses, but think you can’t because of your salty soil, then consider the rugosa rose. The rugosa rose is often called a sea rose, as it can handle salty and windy conditions found on coastlines. 

The rugosa rose prefers cooler climates with all four seasons. Its flowers bloom in late spring and early summer, and range in color from white to red to lavender.

10. Lantana

Lantana is easy to spot with its purple and yellow blossoms. It is a great plant for attracting butterflies and other pollinators. It also does very well in warm coastal areas.

Lantana is drought-tolerant and loves warm days with full sun. It can also withstand strong winds and can handle salty soil and wind.

11. Hydrangea 

Hydrangeas are picky, especially when it comes to water, sunlight, and temperature. This is why you won’t find them thriving in hot tropical climates. You can, however, find them growing near the coast.

The hydrangea is a bush known for its large clusters of delicate flowers that light up the bush each year. Hydrangeas enjoy salty soil and are surprisingly wind tolerant. It also likes humidity. Just ensure you plant hydrangeas in partial shade to ensure it succeeds.

12. Geranium

Geraniums are a popular garden flower known for its lovely flowers and resilience in various conditions. These flowers like full sun, which is great for most coastal areas. It can also survive in most soil types, including sandy soil with few nutrients and high salt levels. 

Geraniums can also withstand some drought, and as it grows stronger, it becomes very wind-resistant.

13. Ornamental Onion (Allium)

While some edible onions don’t do well in salty conditions, ornamental onions, or allium, thrive in salty seaside environments. It has tall stalks with spherical blooms at the top, similar to those a large onion would have once it goes to seed.

In addition to its beauty, ornamental onions can help deter many pests, including several types of rodents.

14. Gaillardia

If you want to add vibrant color to your coastal garden, then the stunning gaillardia flower is a good option. This perennial might be short-lived (it usually lasts about two years), but what it lacks in longevity, it makes up for in color.

This plant is often called the blanket flower because its blooms resemble colorful Native American blankets, with its yellow, orange, and red hues. It can withstand wind, loves the sun, and grows in salty and sandy soil.

15. Sea Kale (Crambe Maritima)

Crambe maritima, or sea kale as it is commonly called, is one of the best low-lying coastal plants to grow when you want ground cover. It is known for its ornamental qualities, and is named sea kale because it resembles kale and likes salty soil. 

This plant is also considered a culinary delicacy and can be used in various recipes. When consumed, it has various health benefits, including very high levels of vitamin C.

Final Notes On Great Plants To Grow Near The Ocean

If you live near the ocean and experience salty winds and have saltier soil, you might think a garden isn’t an option. While you can’t grow every plant in the ground, there are tons of beautiful and interesting plants you can grow in your seaside yard. 

Some beautiful flowers that like salty soil and can withstand coastal winds include geraniums, hydrangeas, lantana, gaillardia, and rugosa roses. Juniper is a great shrub or tree option for those near the coast. You can even grow popular herbs, including rosemary and lavender.

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