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Summary

A salt-tolerant annual, seaside glasswort has long been eaten as a marsh vegetable and grain. Today it remains valued as both a gourmet food and an ecological stabilizer of coastal wetlands. Seaside glasswort is one of the most widely eaten species of samphire, providing crisp stems and nutritious seeds. Its popularity in European cuisine highlights its value as a seasonal wild vegetable.

Physical Characteristics

Salicornia maritima is a ANNUAL growing to 0.2 m (0ft 8in) by 0.2 m (0ft 8in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is not frost tender. The flowers are pollinated by Wind.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers wet soil and can grow in water.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

None

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Young stems and seeds are edible. The stems are crisp, juicy, and salty, eaten raw or cooked, often pickled. Seeds are small but nutritious, formerly harvested in large amounts by Indigenous groups. The high salt load means stems should be consumed moderately.

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

None Known

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Traditional ash source for soap and glass. Wetland restoration and erosion control. Wildlife food: seeds eaten by ducks and shorebirds.

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Habitat & Distribution: Widespread in salt marshes, tidal flats, and saline shores across Eurasia and introduced in North America. Growth & Ecology: Annual, forming extensive mats in saline wetlands. Known for turning bright red in autumn, contributing to the landscape of tidal marshes. Requires saline soils and high sun exposure. Sometimes cultivated as a gourmet vegetable in Europe (“samphire” or “sea asparagus”). 5–30 cm tall, often prostrate or spreading. USDA zones 8–11; frost-sensitive annual. Salicornia maritima (slender/seaside glasswort, sensu lato) Glasswort flowers are tiny, greenish, and tucked into the fleshy joints — classic low-reward, low-showiness morphology. They are primarily wind-pollinated (anemophilous), with a strong capacity for self-pollination/autogamy inside those tight floral cavities. Small flies or other insects may wander over them, but they are not important drivers.

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant Propagation

Seed; readily colonizes saline mudflats.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Seaside or slender glasswort

Native Range

USA. Canada. New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward I., Québec

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it's worth checking.

Low – habitat restricted to saline environments.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Not available

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Salicornia bigelovii	Dwarf Glasswort, Dwarf saltwort	Annual	0.3	8-11	LMH	N	M	4	0	3
Salicornia europaea	Glasswort	Annual	0.3	-	LMH	N	DM	3	0	2
Salicornia quinqueflora	Chicken Claws		0.0	-	LMH	SN	M	1	0	2
Salicornia rubra	Red Glasswort, red swampfire	Annual	0.2	-	LMH	SN	M	1	0
Salicornia virginica	Virginia Glasswort	Perennial	0.3	7-11	LMH	N	M	3	1	2

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

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Salicornia maritima - S.L.Wolff & Jefferies