Sea Rocket
Cakile maritima
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Pl. EBCF — Cakile maritima
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IOverview
Overview
Sea Rocket (Cakile maritima) is a hardy annual herb that thrives in coastal areas and salty soils across Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. Native to Albania, Algeria, and other Mediterranean regions, this plant has adapted well to harsh environments, making it a resilient choice for gardeners interested in edible landscaping. Known for its light, moist nature, Sea Rocket prefers sandy soil with a pH between 7 and 7.5. Its distinctive features include edible parts such as flowers, leaves, roots, seedpods, and stems, which can be harvested throughout the growing season. With a hardiness range of 5-9, it is well-suited for gardens in various climates.
Quick answers
What is Sea Rocket?
Sea Rocket (Cakile maritima) is a hardy annual herb that thrives in coastal areas and salty soils across Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Sea Rocket thrives in light, sandy soils with a pH of 7-7.5 and prefers moist conditions. It is hardy in temperate regions (zones 5-9) and can be propagated by seed. This annual plant requires full sun to partial shade and grows up to 0.3 meters tall. For optimal growth, ensure the soil remains consistently moist but not waterlogged. Harvest edible parts including flowers, leaves, roots, seedpods, and stems.
Light
9/10
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy)
Hardiness
5-9
Life cycle
Annual
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
0.3 m tall
Soil pH
7–7.5
Seasonal calendar
Northern hemisphere · UTC month is September
winterspringsummerautumnwinter
BloomJFMAMJJASOND
For first-time growers
How to grow Sea Rocket for the first time
8steps
Start with Sea Rocket as a simple, low-maintenance addition to your garden.
- 1
What you'll need
Seeds or young plants, a small trowel, and a watering can.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost or in late summer for fall harvests.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Choose a well-draining soil with a pH of 7-7.5, and ensure containers are at least 10 inches deep.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds 0.25 inches deep, or transplant young plants into the garden after hardening off.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep soil moist and mulch around the base for moisture retention.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide light watering as needed, especially during dry spells. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune stems regularly to maintain size and promote new growth; harvest leaves and stems for use in salads.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting too deep, neglecting to deadhead flowers.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:FlowersLeavesRootSeedpodStem
Edible uses: Oil, Condiment
Other uses:oil
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
30 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
30 native · 0 introducedDistribution across3 continents· 30 native
Europe16 regions
native (16)BelgiumBulgariaCyprusDenmarkFinlandFranceGermanyGreeceIrelandItalyNorwayPortugalRussiaSpainUkraineUnited Kingdom
Asia2 regions
native (2)IranPalestine
Africa5 regions
native (5)AlgeriaCabo VerdeEgyptLibyaMorocco
Broader regions
native:Baltic States, East Aegean Is., Kriti, Lebanon-Syria
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXI
Explore further
Companion planting
Growing zone
XII
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