Sea thrift, yarrow, wormwood, daylilies, blanket flower and blue fescue handle salt spray and road salt best. They’re the first choice for coastal gardens and roadside beds.
- Sea Thrift — Grows wild on sea cliffs.
- Yarrow — Shrugs off salt and drought.
- Wormwood — Silver leaves resist salt spray.
- Daylily — Tough along roads and driveways.
- Blanket Flower — Thrives in sandy coastal soil.
- Fescue — Blue grass for seaside beds.
- Pinks — Low, fragrant and salt tolerant.
- Globe Thistle — Steel-blue globes, very tough.
- Fall Aster — Late color near the shore.
- Feather Reed Grass — Upright grass that handles wind.
Ampliflora Iris 'Ming Treasure'
Iris 'Ming Treasure'
from $14.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Salt tolerant
- Rabbit resistant
Annual Purple Fountain Grass 'Atropurpurea (annual)'
Pennisetum 'Atropurpurea (annual)'
from $16.99 · 1GAL
- Salt tolerant
- Rabbit resistant
- Winter interest
Annual Purple Fountain Grass 'Fireworks (annual)'
Pennisetum 'Fireworks (annual)'
from $16.99 · 1GAL
- Salt tolerant
- Rabbit resistant
- Winter interest
Beardtongue 'Blackbeard'
Penstemon 'Blackbeard'
from $11.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Drought tolerant
- Salt tolerant
Beardtongue 'Dark Towers'
Penstemon 'Dark Towers'
from $11.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Drought tolerant
- Salt tolerant
Beardtongue 'Elfin Pink'
Penstemon 'Elfin Pink'
from $11.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Drought tolerant
- Salt tolerant
Beardtongue 'Husker Red Improved'
Penstemon 'Husker Red Improved'
from $11.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Drought tolerant
- Salt tolerant
Beardtongue 'Midnight Masquerade'
Penstemon 'Midnight Masquerade'
from $16.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Drought tolerant
- Salt tolerant
Beardtongue 'Onyx and Pearls'
Penstemon 'Onyx and Pearls'
from $11.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Drought tolerant
- Salt tolerant
Beardtongue 'Pocahontas'
Penstemon 'Pocahontas'
from $11.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Drought tolerant
- Salt tolerant
Beardtongue 'Prairie Dusk'
Penstemon 'Prairie Dusk'
from $11.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Drought tolerant
- Native
Beardtongue 'Purple Riding Hood'
Penstemon 'Purple Riding Hood'
from $11.99 · 1GAL
- Deer resistant
- Drought tolerant
- Salt tolerant
Tips
- Rinse leaves with fresh water after storms with heavy salt spray.
- Plant salt-tolerant plants on the side facing the road or ocean.
- Add compost — salty soils are often sandy and dry.
Frequently asked questions
Which plants handle road salt?
Daylilies, yarrow, sea thrift, ornamental grasses and rugosa roses handle road salt well.
What grows in sandy coastal soil?
Blanket flower, sea thrift, yarrow and sedum thrive in sand.
Do salt-tolerant plants need extra care?
Water them through dry spells; salt damage is worse in drought.
How close to the ocean can I plant these?
They handle salt spray, but very exposed sites need wind protection too.