Crithmum maritimum
Sea fennel
Common names: Sea dill, Sea anise
At a glance
- Light
- Full sun
- Spacing
- 30 cm, rows 40 cm
- Lifespan
- Perennial
- Sowing
- Mar–May
- Harvest
- May–Sep
- Hardiness
- Cold damage below −5 °C
- Water need
- Low
Photo: User:Jymm · Public Domain · Source
This description was machine-translated.
Description
Sea fennel (Crithmum maritimum) is a succulent coastal herb that grows on cliff faces and rocky shores, tolerating both salt spray and dryness. Its fleshy, blue‑green leaves taste spicy‑salty with a subtle anise note, reminiscent of a blend of fennel and celery. Botanically, it belongs to the Asteraceae family and is unrelated to true fennel.
Care instructions
Sea fennel prefers full sun, a warm climate, and a very well‑drained, sandy or gravelly soil. Avoid heavy, water‑logged loam. Mix sand or gravel into the potting mix to mimic its natural rocky habitat. Water sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings; excess moisture is more harmful than drought. Fertilize lightly, over‑fertilization softens the leaves and reduces flavor. In containers, it tolerates winter best in a bright, cool spot; in the garden, a light mulch of straw can protect it from extreme cold.
The care notes were machine-translated from German.
Garden year
SowingMar–May
HarvestMay–Sep
Germination
- Soil temperature
- from 10 °C, ideally 18 °C
- Days to sprout
- 14 to 60 days
- Light
- Sprouts in light or dark
- Sowing depth
- 0.5 cm
- How to start
- Start indoors, then plant out
Soil & site
Soil pH
Soil type
well-drained, sandy, lean, dry, lime-loving
Rock samphire naturally grows on rocky coastal sites and sandy soils and tolerates salt and drought particularly well. Choose a very well-drained, lean soil, preferably with some gravel or sand, because the species hardly forgives waterlogging. Calcareous soils promote compact growth; heavy loam soils you should loosen with sand or fine grit.
Botanically, rock samphire belongs to the umbellifers, but as a perennial it is exempt from the classic crop rotation anyway and often stays in the same place for years.
Feeding
Light feeder
As a wild plant of steep coasts, rock samphire manages with very few nutrients and rather repays too rich feeding with soft, less aromatic foliage. A thin helping of compost in spring is entirely enough to supply the plant over the season. Do without extra feeding during the harvest months so that the spicy aroma is kept.
Overwintering
Rock samphire is perennial and sufficiently hardy in mild, sheltered locations, especially if the soil stays dry. In harsh locations or on heavy soils, a loose mulch layer of brushwood or straw over the root zone helps, because wet cold harms more than frost alone. Container plants you overwinter best frost-free and bright in a cool place.
Propagation
Methods
- From seed
- Division
- Cuttings
Sowing works best in early spring on a sandy, well-drained substrate, as germination is quite slow and needs patience. Alternatively, divide established clumps in spring and set the pieces straight in their new, sunny place. Rock samphire can also be propagated by tip cuttings in early summer if you want to keep a proven clone. Keep young plants moderately moist during the establishment phase before you reduce watering.
Companion planting
Good neighbors
amaryllis family (Amaryllidaceae)
Umbellifers and alliums confuse each other's pests (carrot fly, onion fly).
For example GarlicOnionLeekChivesWild daffodilRocambole and 12 more species in the catalogue
Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)
daisy family (Asteraceae)
Calendula and Tagetes next to carrots keep the carrot fly away with their scent.
For example Head lettuceFrench marigoldCalendulaSunflowerButterhead lettuceCommon coneflower and 73 more species in the catalogue
Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)
cabbage family (Brassicaceae)
You can pair celery and dill with all Brassicaceae because they repel the cabbage whitefly with their scent, a proven companion.
For example White cabbageKohlrabiRadishKalebroccolicauliflower and 41 more species in the catalogue
Source: Bio-Gärtnerei Mixed-culture Practice
legume family (Fabaceae)
Peas and beans provide carrot and celery with nitrogen and grow as shallow-rooted plants without competition next to each other.
For example PeaBush beanPole beanBroad beanSnow peaWrinkled pea and 36 more species in the catalogue
Source: classic companion planting (DACH-Gartenpraxis)
Companion planting is partly traditional gardening lore. Where the reason is known, it is given.
Some of these explanations were machine-translated.
For your garden
Grow Sea fennel yourself
Gartenkern tells you when frost is coming, when to sow and when to harvest, for your location.
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