Species American Sea Rocket
white flowers with yellow-green stamens, green buds, leaves and light-green stems

American Sea Rocket

Cakile edentula subsp. edentula

American Sea Rocket (Cakile edentula subsp. edentula) is a low-growing, spreading, maritime perennial plant native to the sandy and rocky coastline of eastern and western North America. It has edible seeds, making it a popular species for foraging. Its hairy, succulent stems and lance-shaped leaves grow to 3-12 in. in height while its fragrant white flowers bloom in the springtime. The plant lives on the beach through strong winds, salt spray, and high temperatures. Its deep taproots are adapted to draw in fresh water from beyond the high tide line. It is an integral part of the coastal ecosystem and also serves as a food source for small animals.

Watering:

Minimal

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

American Thorowax (Bupleurum americanum) should be watered deeply once every 7-10 days. Make sure to water the plant until the top 6 inches of the soil is moist but not soggy. Allow the soil to dry out in between watering to prevent overwatering. Test the soil before every watering and make sure that the top few inches of soil feel dry before watering again. It is important to water deeply in order to encourage healthy root growth.

sunlight

American Thorowax requires full sun or partial sun for 6 to 8 hours per day to stay healthy. They can also tolerate part shade, but growth and flowering will be reduced. Sunlight should be provided during the morning hours when possible for maximum benefit. When it comes to water, American Thorowax is drought resistant, so it only needs light watering every few days when there is no rainfall.

pruning

American Thorowax should be pruned in late spring or early summer. Depending on the desired size, the amount of pruning should be kept to a minimum. Dead or broken stems may be removed, as well as suckers and any resulting from over pruning. Pruning should occur at approximately 2/3 of the height of the plant. This helps to maintain a well-shaped, healthy plant. It is a good idea to fertilize the plant after pruning to help encourage strong growth.

⚠️ Perenual and its members cannot be held liable for any health issues that may arise from the information provided on the website or from using any of the plants found on the site. The information provided is intended to be used as general guidelines only.