Sea Lavender Plant Care

Sea Lavender (Tournefortia gnaphalodes) belongs to the Boraginaceae family within the Tournefortia genus. Sea Lavender is native to Florida, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, Bermuda, northeastern Colombia, and Venezuela. Sea Lavender is also known as Bay Lavender, Beach Berry.

Sea Lavender displays an upright, branching shrub growth habit, reaching up to 5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Sea Lavender produces small tubular white flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Sea Lavender every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Sea Lavender thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Tournefortia gnaphalodes tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F. Sea Lavender prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Sea Lavender to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Sea Lavender every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Sea Lavender is suited to USDA Zone 10b – 11b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Sea Lavender can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 5 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Sea Lavender while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Sea Lavender is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 10). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Sea Lavender can be propagated through softwood cuttings, air layering. Similar propagation techniques also apply to tournefortia obtusiflora plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Sea Lavender is susceptible to spider mites, aphids, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Sea Lavender grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10b – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10b. Sea Lavender is native to Florida, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, Bermuda, northeastern Colombia, and Venezuela. In cooler regions, grow Sea Lavender as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.