Glasswort (Salicornia neei)
Care, watering, light and tips for Glasswort on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Amaranthaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 7 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
About Glasswort
Salicornia neei, commonly known as sea asparagus or Chilean salicornia, is a succulent halophytic plant that thrives in saline environments. Its segmented, fleshy stems, bright green often tinged with reddish hues, give it a distinctive and edible appearance. It is ideal for coastal gardens, saline rockeries, or even as an ornamental potted plant, offering an exotic and minimalist touch.
Native range
Coasts of South America, from Peru to southern Chile and Argentina, including the Falkland Islands.
Care tips
This plant requires full sun and prefers sandy, well-drained substrate with high salinity. Watering should be moderate, allowing the substrate to dry slightly between waterings, and it is beneficial to occasionally water with slightly saline water to mimic its natural habitat. A common mistake is overwatering with fresh water, which can rot the roots and hinder its development, as it does not tolerate waterlogged soils or the absence of salt.
How to save a dying Glasswort
- Warning signs
- Soft, blackened stems, loss of turgor, wilting.
- First aid
- Remove excess water, ensure drainage, place in cool partial shade.
- What kills it
- Overwatering or waterlogging, inadequate soil drainage.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if you act quickly to remove excess moisture and improve drainage.