Purple Sandspurry: A Hardy Little Ground Cover for Tough Spots
If you’ve got a patch of sandy, salty, or otherwise challenging soil that seems determined to defeat every plant you try, purple sandspurry (Spergularia purpurea) might just be the scrappy little fighter you need. This unassuming annual to biennial forb has made itself at home in difficult spots where other plants fear to tread.
What is Purple Sandspurry?
Purple sandspurry is a low-growing herbaceous plant that forms spreading mats of narrow, succulent-like leaves topped with tiny pink to purple flowers. As a forb, it’s a vascular plant without woody stems, meaning it dies back each year but can return from seed. This little plant typically completes its life cycle in one to two years, making it an annual or biennial depending on growing conditions.
Where Does It Come From?
Originally hailing from Europe and western Asia, purple sandspurry is a non-native species that has found its way to North America. In the United States, it’s currently documented in Massachusetts, though it may be present in other coastal areas with similar conditions. The plant has established itself in the wild and reproduces without human intervention.
Why You Might (Or Might Not) Want to Grow It
Purple sandspurry isn’t going to win any beauty contests, but it has some genuine strengths that make it worth considering for specific situations:
- Thrives in sandy, poor soils where other plants struggle
- Extremely salt-tolerant, perfect for coastal gardens
- Drought-resistant once established
- Provides nectar for small pollinators like bees and flies
- Self-sows readily, creating natural ground cover
- Low maintenance and undemanding
However, since it’s not native to North America, you might want to consider native alternatives that provide similar benefits while supporting local ecosystems. Native options like beach pea or seaside goldenrod can offer comparable salt tolerance and pollinator benefits.
Garden Design and Landscape Role
Purple sandspurry works best as a utilitarian ground cover rather than a showstopper. It’s particularly valuable in:
- Coastal gardens exposed to salt spray
- Rock gardens with poor, sandy soil
- Xerophytic (drought-tolerant) garden designs
- Areas where you need quick coverage of difficult soil
- Between stepping stones or in gravel gardens
The plant typically grows 2-6 inches tall and spreads to form mats up to 12 inches wide, making it ideal for filling in spaces between larger plants or covering bare patches.
Growing Conditions and Care
One of purple sandspurry’s biggest selling points is how easy it is to please. Here’s what it needs to thrive:
- Soil: Sandy, well-drained soil is essential. It actually prefers poor soil over rich, fertile conditions
- Sun: Full sun exposure for best growth and flowering
- Water: Drought-tolerant once established; avoid overwatering
- pH: Tolerates a wide range, including alkaline coastal soils
- Salt tolerance: Excellent resistance to salt spray and saline conditions
USDA Hardiness Zones
Purple sandspurry is surprisingly hardy, thriving in USDA zones 3-9. This wide range makes it suitable for most temperate regions, from cold northern areas to warmer southern climates.
Planting and Care Tips
Growing purple sandspurry is refreshingly straightforward:
- Seeding: Direct sow seeds in spring or fall. Seeds are tiny, so mix with sand for easier distribution
- Spacing: Scatter seeds thinly, as plants will self-sow and spread naturally
- Watering: Water lightly until germination, then reduce frequency as plants establish
- Maintenance: Practically none required once established
- Self-seeding: Allow some plants to go to seed if you want natural spread
Wildlife and Pollinator Benefits
While small, purple sandspurry’s flowers do provide nectar for various small pollinators, including native bees, flies, and other beneficial insects. The seeds may also provide food for small birds, though this plant isn’t a major wildlife magnet.
The Bottom Line
Purple sandspurry won’t transform your garden into a showplace, but it’s an honest, hardworking plant that excels in challenging conditions. If you have difficult sandy or salty soil that needs coverage, it’s worth considering. However, since it’s not native, also explore native alternatives that might provide similar benefits while better supporting local wildlife. Sometimes the best garden plants are the ones that simply do their job without complaint – and purple sandspurry definitely fits that bill.
