Palmer's seaheath
Frankenia palmeri
Last reviewed: October 2026
Palmer's seaheath (Frankenia palmeri) is a perennial shrub native to CA. It blooms in March, April, May, June, July, and August. The flowers draw small bees.
Toxicity unknown
Palmer's seaheath (Frankenia palmeri) 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
low
Size
8"–16" H × 24"–48" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
CA
Pollinators
small 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 460 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, salt-tolerant evergreen mat shrub with tiny needle-like leaves and small pink flowers scattered across the foliage through much of the year. It forms a tidy, ground-hugging carpet on tough coastal soils.
Growing Palmer's seaheath
Grow Palmer's seaheath in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 8 to 16 inches tall and spread 24 to 48 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Its extended bloom period offers a small but steady nectar source for tiny native bees on otherwise difficult, salt-affected ground.
Common questions
- How much sun does Palmer's seaheath need?
- Palmer's seaheath grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Palmer's seaheath bloom?
- Palmer's seaheath blooms in March, April, May, June, July, and August.
- Where is Palmer's seaheath native?
- Palmer's seaheath (Frankenia palmeri) is native to CA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What pollinators does Palmer's seaheath attract?
- Palmer's seaheath draws small 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 Palmer's seaheath? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.