Photo: Natalya IvanovaCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Sea Lavender Plant Care
Limonium otolepis Kuntze
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant's elongated, silvery-grey leaves give it a unique appearance compared to other species. Hailing from the Mediterranean region, Limonium otolepis is a popular choice for plant collectors due to its drought tolerance and ability to thrive in salty conditions.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Sea Lavender?
Water Sea Lavender every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every month during the growing season.
Where Is the Sea Lavender Native To?
What Is the Sea Lavender?
Sea Lavender (Limonium otolepis) belongs to the Plumbaginaceae family within the Limonium genus. Sea Lavender is native to Afghanistan, Central Asia, and Xinjiang and western Gansu in China. Sea Lavender is also known as Statice.
Sea Lavender displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Sea Lavender produces small clusters of tiny flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Sea Lavender?
Limonium otolepis requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Sea Lavender Need?
Sea Lavender thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Sea Lavender Prefer?
Limonium otolepis grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Sea Lavender prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Sea Lavender?
Well-draining sandy soil 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.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Sea Lavender?
Feed Sea Lavender every month during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every month
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Sea Lavender?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Sea Lavender?
Sea Lavender can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to lobed sea lavender plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Sea Lavender Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Sea Lavender, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Sea Lavender?
Sea Lavender is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Sea Lavender Need?
Sea Lavender grows outdoors in USDA Zone 5a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 5a. Sea Lavender is native to Afghanistan, Central Asia, and Xinjiang and western Gansu in China.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 5a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Sea Lavender is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Limonium genus — compare its care with other Limonium species on PlantoScan.
Limonium is part of the Plumbaginaceae plant family — browse all Plumbaginaceae genera and species.
Sea Lavender thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Limonium Species
Other Limonium species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Limonium otolepis Kuntze, family Plumbaginaceae (first published in Revis. Gen. Pl. 2: 396 (1891)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Sea Lavender, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Natalya Ivanova, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 5a – 9b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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