Seashore Paspalum
LawnPaspalum vaginatum, Saltwater Couch, Sand Knotgrass
Unique warm-season grass with exceptional salt tolerance — one of very few grasses that can be irrigated with reclaimed, brackish, or low-quality water. Thrives in coastal zones 8–11 where salt spray, sandy soils, and drought are constant challenges. Also tolerates poor soils, compaction, and flooding. Mow at 1–3 cm for a fine-textured turf; used on coastal golf courses and seaside homes. Fertilise moderately 3–4x per year; does not need heavy feeding. Goes dormant in cold (below 10°C soil) — turns brown in mild winters. Recovers quickly from drought when irrigation resumes. Ideal for: coastal gardens, seaside resorts, areas with irrigation water quality issues, beachside landscaping in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Southeast Asia, and subtropical US. Not worth growing inland where salt tolerance isn't needed — Bermuda or Zoysia will outperform it.
When to sow seashore paspalum
Sow 4–10 weeks after your last spring frost.
Dashed line: typical last spring frost in zone 7 (Apr 5). Zone dates are averages; most of the UK is zone 8–9, central Europe 6–7 and the Baltics and Scandinavia 4–6. In the app, Tomatograph uses your garden's own frost dates.
How to establish and care for seashore paspalum
- 1
Choose it for salt
Seashore paspalum tolerates salt spray and brackish or recycled irrigation water better than almost any other grass. Inland, Bermuda or Zoysia usually do better.
- 2
Plant in warm soil
Sow or plant in late spring once the soil is warm.
- 3
Mow
Mow at 1–3 cm for a fine-textured lawn.
- 4
Feed moderately
Feed 3–4 times a year. It browns in mild winters when the soil drops below about 10 °C and recovers quickly once watered.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun
Water
Low water
Temperature
5–40 °C
Frost tolerance
Frost-sensitive — protect below 0 °C
Ideal soil pH
6–8.5
How Tomatograph watches your seashore paspalum
Tomatograph checks your local forecast every morning and only speaks up when one of these applies to your garden.
- 30 °C or more with under 5 mm of rain forecast over 3 daysDeep-watering reminder before the lawn goes into heat stress.
- 3 nights at 0 °C or below in the forecastDormancy notice: stop regular watering, mowing and feeding until spring green-up.
- 30–60 days before your first frostAutumn prep window: aerate, overseed bare patches and apply a slow-release feed.
- Over 20 mm of rain forecast over 3 daysTells you to skip irrigation until the ground dries out.
Seashore Paspalum questions
- When should I sow seashore paspalum?
- Sow 4–10 weeks after your last spring frost.
Growing guide written by Tomatograph. Zone frost dates are averages from openplantdb (CC0 1.0).