Sticky Sandspurry: A Tough Little Native Ground Cover for Challenging Sites
If you’re looking for a hardy, low-maintenance ground cover that can handle some of the toughest growing conditions, let me introduce you to sticky sandspurry (Spergularia macrotheca). This unassuming little native plant might not win any beauty contests, but it’s got character and resilience that make it perfect for those tricky spots in your garden where other plants fear to tread.
What is Sticky Sandspurry?
Sticky sandspurry is a perennial forb—essentially a non-woody herbaceous plant that comes back year after year. True to its name, this little plant has a slightly sticky feel to its foliage, which helps it cope with harsh coastal conditions. It forms low, spreading mats that hug the ground, rarely getting taller than a few inches.
This plant is a proud native of western North America, naturally occurring in British Columbia, California, Oregon, and Washington. It’s perfectly at home in both the United States and Canada, making it a great choice for gardeners throughout the Pacific Northwest and coastal California.
Why You Might Want to Grow Sticky Sandspurry
Here’s where sticky sandspurry really shines—it’s incredibly tough. This plant has evolved to handle conditions that would make other plants wilt in despair:
- Salt tolerance: Perfect for coastal gardens where salt spray is a constant challenge
- Drought resistance: Once established, it needs minimal watering
- Poor soil champion: Thrives in sandy, rocky, or otherwise challenging soils
- Low maintenance: Requires virtually no care once it’s settled in
- Native plant benefits: Supports local ecosystems and requires fewer resources
Where Does Sticky Sandspurry Fit in Your Garden?
This isn’t your typical show-stopping garden star, but it’s incredibly useful in the right situations. Sticky sandspurry works beautifully as:
- Ground cover in coastal gardens
- Filler in rock gardens or xeriscapes
- Erosion control on slopes
- Living mulch around other drought-tolerant plants
- Natural landscaping in wild or naturalized areas
The small white to pale pink flowers appear throughout the growing season, and while they’re not showy, they add a delicate charm and attract small native pollinators like bees and flies.
Growing Conditions and Care
One of the best things about sticky sandspurry is how easy it is to grow—as long as you give it what it wants:
- Sunlight: Full sun is preferred, though it can tolerate some light shade
- Soil: Sandy, well-draining soil is ideal, but it’s not picky about soil quality
- Water: Drought-tolerant once established; avoid overwatering
- Climate: Hardy in USDA zones 6-10, perfect for coastal and Mediterranean climates
Thanks to its facultative wetland status, sticky sandspurry can handle both dry conditions and occasional wet periods, making it quite adaptable to different moisture levels throughout the year.
Planting and Care Tips
Getting sticky sandspurry established is refreshingly straightforward:
- Plant in spring or fall when temperatures are moderate
- Space plants about 12-18 inches apart if you want quick coverage
- Water regularly the first year to help establish roots
- After establishment, water only during extended dry periods
- No fertilizer needed—this plant prefers lean conditions
- Minimal pruning required; just remove any dead material in late winter
Is Sticky Sandspurry Right for You?
Consider sticky sandspurry if you have challenging growing conditions, want to support native plant communities, or need a reliable ground cover that won’t demand constant attention. It’s particularly valuable for coastal gardeners dealing with salt spray and sandy soils.
Keep in mind that this isn’t a plant for formal garden beds or high-traffic areas. It’s more of a set it and forget it type of plant that works best in naturalized settings or as a problem-solver for difficult sites.
While it may not be the flashiest addition to your garden, sticky sandspurry offers something equally valuable: dependability, native plant benefits, and the satisfaction of growing a plant that’s perfectly suited to its environment. Sometimes the quiet heroes of the plant world deserve a spot in our gardens too.
