Seaside Joyweed

Alternanthera maritima

Seaside Joyweed is found along the coast mixed in with Sea Oats from St. Lucie County thru the Florida Keys. It has one inch rounded leaves that are shiny and often with a reddish or coppery tone.

This spreads by surface runners that root every few inches. On the beach it grows as a long runner only an inch or two high. Yet, in partial shade it will grow 12 inches tall as side shoots point upwards.

Soil conditions are dry to moist, well drained, moderately fertile sand. Full sun to light shade are best. Salt air is fine, but salt water flooding is not. This plant does very well in inland plantings and only requires occasional cutting to keep it out of walkways.

The picture is of a planting below the west side of a native Strangler Fig with a building to the south. Common Snowberry is shooting upward in the background. Click here. It gets dappled morning sun and some direct afternoon sun. Since this is in the Pigweed or Amaranth family, the flowers are dry tufts followed by tiny seeds.

This can be mixed with Sunshine Mimosa, Fogfruit, Goats foot and Seaside Morning Glory, Beach Verbena, Sea Purslane and Golden Creeper kept low for a groundcover mix under 12 inches tall.

Of course, you can throw in Gaillardia, Salvia, Coontie, Seaside Goldenrod, Spiderwort, Spiderlily and Beach Elder for the look of a Coastal Prairie. Both forms of the Pineland Snowberry, although not salt tolerant, will mix in well too. Click here, and here, to learn more about these two forms.

For more info on Seaside Joyweed, Click here.