Alkali heath
Frankenia salina
Last reviewed: October 2026
Alkali heath (Frankenia salina) is a perennial shrub native to CA, NV. It blooms in May, June, July, August, and September. The flowers draw small native bees.
Toxicity unknown
Alkali heath (Frankenia salina) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
medium
Size
4"–12" H × 12"–36" W
Bloom
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Native to
CA, NV
Pollinators
small native bees
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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Browse plants for this ecoregion
A low, mat-forming subshrub with tiny, needle-like leaves and small pink flowers scattered across the mat through most of the growing season. Tolerates salty, poorly drained soils and forms a tidy, tight groundcover.
Growing Alkali heath
Grow Alkali heath in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 4 to 12 inches tall and spread 12 to 36 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Provides a long-blooming nectar source for small native bees in salt marsh habitat where floral resources can be limited.
Common questions
- How much sun does Alkali heath need?
- Alkali heath grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Alkali heath bloom?
- Alkali heath blooms in May, June, July, August, and September.
- Where is Alkali heath native?
- Alkali heath (Frankenia salina) is native to CA, NV, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What pollinators does Alkali heath attract?
- Alkali heath draws small native bees.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Alkali heath? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.