Red sand verbena

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Abronia maritima

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Red sand verbena (Abronia 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.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

4"–8" H × 24"–48" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul

Native to

Pollinators

moths, 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 452 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

Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

A trailing, fleshy-leaved perennial that hugs the sand with long stems and dense clusters of bright magenta-pink flowers. It grows directly on beach dunes, tolerating salt spray and shifting sand.

Wildlife value

Fragrant evening flowers attract night-flying moths as well as native bees during the day.

Common questions

How much sun does Red sand verbena need?: Red sand verbena grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Red sand verbena bloom?: Red sand verbena blooms in March, April, May, June, and July.
Where is Red sand verbena native?: Red sand verbena (Abronia maritima) is native to CA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
What pollinators does Red sand verbena attract?: Red sand verbena draws moths and 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.

See all plant problem guides

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

Add this plant to your garden

iPhone app Android app

Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant

Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz

Common questions

How much sun does Red sand verbena need?

Red sand verbena grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Red sand verbena bloom?

Red sand verbena blooms in March, April, May, June, and July.

Where is Red sand verbena native?

Red sand verbena (Abronia maritima) is native to CA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

What pollinators does Red sand verbena attract?

Red sand verbena draws moths and native bees.

Common plant problems, and what to check first

See all plant problem guides