How much sun does Beaked Tasselweed need?

Beaked Tasselweed grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Beaked Tasselweed bloom?

Beaked Tasselweed blooms in May, June, July, August, and September.

Where is Beaked Tasselweed native?

Beaked Tasselweed (Ruppia maritima) is native to AL, CA, CT, DE and 17 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

Is Beaked Tasselweed toxic to livestock?

The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Beaked Tasselweed as toxic to livestock.

Is Beaked Tasselweed HOA-friendly?

Beaked Tasselweed takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Beaked Tasselweed

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Ruppia maritima

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Beaked Tasselweed (Ruppia maritima) 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.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Beaked Tasselweed as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

high

Size

4"–24" H × 4"–24" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

AL, CA, CT, DE and 17 more states

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 445 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Puget Lowland Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Southern California Mountains Central Basin and Range Mojave Basin and Range Western Gulf Coastal Plain Northeastern Coastal Zone Middle Atlantic Coastal Plain Southeastern Plains Mississippi Alluvial Plain Southern Coastal Plain Southern Florida Coastal Plain Acadian Plains and Hills Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

Beaked tasselweed is an aquatic annual plant that grows completely submerged in saltwater or brackish water environments. This marine plant forms underwater meadows and requires constant submersion to survive.

In an HOA neighborhood

Beaked Tasselweed takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Requires full submersion in saltwater
Not suitable for terrestrial landscaping
Only grows in marine environments

Wildlife value

This submerged aquatic plant provides important habitat and food for waterfowl, fish, and marine invertebrates in coastal ecosystems.

Common questions

How much sun does Beaked Tasselweed need?: Beaked Tasselweed grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Beaked Tasselweed bloom?: Beaked Tasselweed blooms in May, June, July, August, and September.
Where is Beaked Tasselweed native?: Beaked Tasselweed (Ruppia maritima) is native to AL, CA, CT, DE and 17 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
Is Beaked Tasselweed toxic to livestock?: The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Beaked Tasselweed as toxic to livestock.
Is Beaked Tasselweed HOA-friendly?: Beaked Tasselweed takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

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.

Ready to grow Beaked Tasselweed? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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