Overview
Sea thrift, Armeria maritima, is an herbaceous perennial in the sealavender family (Plumbaginaceae) native to mountains and temperate coastal areas of the northern hemisphere, especially northern Europe, from northern California to Iceland to Siberia. There are several geographic subspecies that vary mainly in flower morphology and pollen structure. It is often found in salty coastal environments where few other plants can grow well. Also called common thrift or sea pink, it is hardy in zones 4a to 8b.
This compact evergreen plant grows only 6 to 12 inches high and across from a woody tap root. The slowly expanding mounded tuft is composed of numerous stiff, linear (needle-shaped), dark-green leaves that usually have hairs along their margins. This dense rosette gives the appearance of a low-growing ornamental grass. In richer soils the leaves tend to fall outwards leaving an open center. Since it is evergreen, it should not be cut back to the ground in fall like many other perennials as that will affect spring bloom.
In mid-spring small pink to lavender (or sometimes white) flowers are produced in globular clusters subtended by purplish, papery bracts on the ends of slender, unbranched, leafless stalks that extend well above the foliage. Each flower has five petals joined at the base with five stamens and five separate styles. Deadhead entire flower stems to promote additional sporadic flowering throughout the summer. They can be used as cut flowers. The flowers are followed by papery seed heads with a single seed in each capsule.
Sea thrift grows best in full sun in lean, very well-drained soil. The plants are drought tolerant and require well-drained soils. They frequently rot in the center, killing the entire plant, in heavy clay, soils that are too fertile, or after a prolonged wet and cool fall. Because of this, they have a reputation for being short-lived. However, given the proper environment these plants can live for many years and require little maintenance.
Landscape Use of Sea Thrift
Use sea thrift in rock gardens, for edging the front of a perennial border, or massed together in dry, gravelly to sandy beds. Its dense, mounded shape offers good textural contrast with other low-growing plants even when not in bloom (but place it where it will not be overgrown by taller, spreading perennials). It can be used in mixed containers with other small plants. It is excellent in trough gardens which provide the perfect drainage it requires to do well and it is unlikely to be overrun by other larger plants.
Propagating Sea Thrift
Sea thrift is fairly easily propagated from seed, generally flowering in the second year. Sow seeds in spring or fall and cover them lightly. It can also be propagated vegetatively by division in spring or basal cuttings taken in summer.
Cultivars of Sea Thrift
Often plants offered are labelled as just the species, but several cultivars are available including:
- ‘Alba’ is smaller than the species, growing about 5 inches tall and wide, with white flowers.
- ‘Bloodstone’ has bright deep pink, almost red, flowers and grows 12 inches tall and 18 inches wide.
- ‘Cotton Tail’ is a white flowered variety that grows 6 to 8 inches tall and 10 to 16 inches wide.
- ‘Düsseldorfer Stolz’ (sometimes listed as ‘Dusseldorf Pride’, its name translated from German)’ has carmine-red flowers on plants 4 to 6 inches tall and 6 to 12 inches wide.
- ‘Laucheana’ – has darker green foliage and bright pink flowers that rebloom intermittently.
- ‘Little Penny’ is a vegetative dwarf cultivar growing just 3 to 6 inches tall and wide with pink flowers and red-purple foliage.
- Morning Star series has large, long-lasting flowers on plants that grow 6 inches tall. Available in Deep Rose, with vivid rose flowers and White, with pure white flowers.
- ‘Nifty Thrifty’ is a vegetative variety with variegated foliage with cream white edges. It grows 3 to 6 inches tall and 6 to 12 inches wide.
- ‘Rubifolia’ is a vegetative selection with magenta-pink flowers and dark burgundy foliage in a mound 4 inches high and 6 inches across. The leaves become greener during the heat of summer.
- ‘Splendens’ has deep pink flowers.
- ‘Vindictive’ is dwarf cultivar that grows 3 to 6 inches tall and 6 to 8 inches wide, with bright pink flowers.
Author: Susan Mahr, University of Wisconsin—Madison
Reviewers: Allen Pyle, Horticulture Outreach Specialist, UW—Madison Extension, Bruce Spangenberg, Horticulture Outreach Specialist, UW—Madison Extension
Revised: July, 2026
