Overview

Cakile maritima is a spreading branched annual biennial in the genus Cakile, part of the Brassicaceae family, with deciduous foliage. It typically grows around 0.1-0.5 metres tall and 0.1-0.5 metres wide, reaching full size in around 1 year. Cakile maritima grows best in full sun, and tolerates sand soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. It is drought resistant. Suggested uses include coastal, cottage and informal garden, gravel garden and wildlife gardens. It is native to Belgium, Flemish Region and Walloon Region.

About

Cakile maritima, sea rocket (Britain and Ireland) or European searocket (North America), is a common plant in the mustard family Brassicaceae. It is widespread in Europe, North Africa and western Asia, especially on coastlines. It can now be found in many other areas of the world where it has been introduced. It is present on the west and east coasts of North America, where it has the potential to become an invasive species. In the wild it grows across North America, Albania, Algeria, Baleares, Baltic States and other regions. It grows to around 0.1-0.5 metres tall and 0.1-0.5 metres wide, carrying deciduous foliage. Grow it in full sun and sand soil. It tolerates soil of any pH, well-drained, moist but well-drained conditions and south-facing and west-facing aspects.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Cakile maritima

About the genus

Cakile is a genus within the flowering plant family Brassicaceae. Species in this genus are commonly known as searockets, though this name on its own is applied particularly to whatever member of the species is native or most common in the region concerned, the European searocket Cakile maritima in Europe, and the American searocket C. edentula in North America.

Wikipedia contributors, "Cakile", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Cakile

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Cakile

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Sand

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Soil moisture

Well-drained, Moist but well-drained

Aspect

South-facing, West-facing

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness

H7

Plant details

Cakile maritima size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Annual Biennial, Cactus Succulent

Habit

Spreading branched

Foliage

Deciduous

Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Time to full height

1 year

Suggested uses

Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Wildlife gardens

Native to

Belgium, Flemish Region, Walloon Region

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Cakile maritima

Propagation

Seed

Pest resistance

Generally pest-free

Disease resistance

Generally disease-free

Frequently asked questions