Alternanthera maritima Alternanthera1
Introduction
This drought tolerant, ground hugging creeper thrives in its native habitat on the seaside dunes (Figure 1). Stems creep along the sand, rooting at the nodes and sending up new shoots. The plant quickly covers an area in this manner growing to about 6 inches tall.
General Information
Scientific name: Alternanthera maritima
Pronunciation: al-tur-nan-THEER-uh muh-RIT-tim-uh
Common name(s): Alternanthera
Family: Amaranthaceae
Plant type: herbaceous; ground cover
USDA hardiness zones: 9 through 11 (Figure 2)
Planting month for zone 9: year round
Planting month for zone 10 and 11: year round
Origin: native to Florida
Uses: ground cover; cascading down a wall
Availability: somewhat available, may have to go out of the region to find the plant
Description
Height: 0.5 to 1 feet
Spread: depends upon supporting structure
Plant habit: spreading
Plant density: moderate
Growth rate: fast
Texture: medium
Foliage
Leaf arrangement: opposite/subopposite
Leaf type: simple
Leaf margin: entire
Leaf shape: elliptic (oval)
Leaf venation: pinnate
Leaf type and persistence: evergreen
Leaf blade length: less than 2 inches
Leaf color: green
Fall color: no fall color change
Fall characteristic: not showy
Flower
Flower color: unknown
Flower characteristic: unknown
Fruit
Fruit shape: unknown
Fruit length: less than 0.5 inch
Fruit cover: unknown
Fruit color: unknown
Fruit characteristic: inconspicuous and not showy
Trunk and Branches
Trunk/bark/branches: not applicable
Current year stem/twig color: green
Current year stem/twig thickness: medium
Culture
Light requirement: plant grows in full sun
Soil tolerances: acidic; slightly alkaline; sand; loam
Drought tolerance: high
Soil salt tolerance: good
Plant spacing: 36 to 60 inches
Other
Roots: not applicable
Winter interest: no special winter interest
Outstanding plant: not particularly outstanding
Invasive potential: may self-seed each year
Pest resistance: long-term health usually not affected by pests
Use and Management
Plant on 3- to 4-foot centers in order to quickly establish a dense ground cover. Plants in the full sun grow best. The moderately thick stems will cascade and cover a wall nicely.
Pests and Diseases
Plants in the full sun should not be affected by lethal pest and disease problems.