Sea Plantain
Plantago maritima
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Pl. 5D26 — Plantago maritima
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IOverview
Overview
Sea Plantain (Plantago maritima) is a perennial forb or herb that thrives in moist to light soils and grows up to 0.2 meters tall. Native to regions including Afghanistan, Alaska, Albania, and Argentina, it has spread across many parts of Europe, North America, and Asia. Known for its edible leaves and seeds, this plant can be found in a variety of habitats from coastal areas to inland locations with moderate moisture levels. Its light preference and ability to grow in soils ranging from sandy to clay make it adaptable to diverse environments. With an energetic profile that leans towards being light and moist-loving, Sea Plantain is a hardy species that can survive in USDA zones 5-9.
Quick answers
What is Sea Plantain?
Sea Plantain (Plantago maritima) is a perennial forb or herb that thrives in moist to light soils and grows up to 0.2 meters tall. Native to regions including Afghanistan, Alaska, Albania, and Argentina, it has spread across many parts of Europe, North America, and Asia.
What is Sea Plantain used for?
Traditionally used for digestion. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 1 evidence-ranked use of Sea Plantain
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
1 claim · 0 sources- Traditional-use note: Sea Plantain appears in herbal sources around after-meal comfort traditions, often as a tea. PlantSage presents this as ethnobotanical context, not as medical advice.
Traditional context only. This reviewed claim keeps the original low confidence level, but avoids treatment, disease, dosage, or guaranteed-effect language.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Sea Plantain thrives in moist, light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay) soils with a pH of 7 to 7.5. It prefers partial shade to full sun and is hardy in temperate regions from zones 5 to 9. To propagate, use seeds or division. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. This perennial herb grows up to 0.2 meters tall and can be harvested for its edible leaves and seeds.
Light
8/10
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
5-9
Life cycle
Perennial
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
0.2 m tall
Soil pH
7–7.5
For first-time growers
How to grow Sea Plantain for the first time
8steps
Start with Sea Plantain 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 fall before the first freeze.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Choose a location with moist, well-draining soil. Ensure containers have good drainage holes.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds 1/4 inch deep or transplant young plants into the garden or pots.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep the soil consistently moist and provide light shade if necessary. Monitor for pests and diseases.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water regularly, especially during dry spells. Mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune dead leaves and spent flowers to encourage new growth and maintain a neat appearance.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in too sunny a location, neglecting to mulch, and not providing enough drainage.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:LeavesSeed
Edible uses: The sea plantain's leaves and seeds are edible. The leaves can be eaten raw in salads or cooked as a vegetable. Seeds can be ground into flour or used whole to add texture to baked goods. Both parts are typically consumed fresh or dried for later use.
Other uses:Dynamic accumulator
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
30 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
30 native · 0 introducedDistribution across4 continents· 30 native
Europe13 regions
native (13)AlbaniaAustriaBelarusBelgiumCyprusDenmarkFinlandFranceGermanyHungaryIcelandRussiaUnited Kingdom
Asia1 region
native (1)Iran
Americas2 regions
native (2)GreenlandUnited States
Africa1 region
native (1)Algeria
Broader regions
native:Alberta, Aleutian Is., Argentina Northwest, Argentina South, Baltic States, British Columbia, California, Chile South, Connecticut, Czechoslovakia, Føroyar, Massachusetts
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family, common use cases, and growing requirements.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Health goals
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
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- Citation
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Back to the cataloguePlant id · 5d26fb93-5b4a-4d51-b954-2e657d1da66d
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