How to Grow Samphire: A Detailed Guide

Samphire is naturally a coastal rock or marsh perennial succulent plant, which is part of the Parsley family. It can be foraged, or you can grow your own in the right growing conditions.

Given that samphire does well by the coast, it's great for growing in seaside gardens or allotments, bringing a delicious salty flavour to your home-grown food.

If you want to learn how to grow samphire, you’re in the right place. We discuss everything garden-related here, including planting, tending, and harvesting! 

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How and When to Plant Samphire

Samphire can be grown from seed, during spring or autumn indoors or, you can buy young plants to grow on. Sow your samphire from March to May in moist compost or well-drained soil, never allowing the soil or compost to dry out completely. 

Samphire likes a sunny and sheltered spot and can tolerate most soil types. You can also grow samphire in a container or rock herb garden. When planting samphire in a container, ensure the pot has good drainage to prevent waterlogging. Additionally, consider incorporating some sand or gravel into the potting mix to mimic the plant's natural coastal habitat. 

How to Take Care of a Samphire Plant

Regularly water your Samphire using one teaspoon of sea salt (not table salt) per pint of water. Samphire does not like free-standing water.

Samphire is a cut-and-come-again plant. As a result, you should leave a few weeks in between each harvest throughout the season. Younger foliage is best; ideally picked July-August with older foliage becoming woody and not suitable for eating.

Samphire should be protected during the winter months and cold spells.

When and How to Harvest Samphire

Unsure when to pick samphire? When the stems turn red, this indicates that the samphire is about to flower and go to seed. Samphire is a self-seeding plant and therefore some interjection and control may be required.

When harvesting samphire, it's best to pick young, tender shoots before the plant begins to flower. This makes for the best flavour and texture. To get continuous crops, avoid overharvesting by only taking a small portion of the plant, allowing it to regenerate for future harvests.

Common Problems with Growing Samphire in the UK

• Samphire likes soil that drains well since they have a tendency to root rot if the soil is too wet. To avoid this problem, it's essential to let the soil slightly dry out in between waterings.
• While samphire is relatively resistant to pests and diseases, it may occasionally be affected by aphids, caterpillars, or fungal infections. Regular inspection and prompt treatment can help mitigate these issues.
• Weeds can compete with samphire in an allotment setting, slowing down its growth. Regular mulching and weeding can promote the healthy growth of samphire plants and inhibit the growth of weeds.
• Samphire is a self-seeding plant that can spread quickly and possibly become invasive in some environments if neglected. 

Popular Samphire Varieties

Growing different varieties is an essential part of learning how to grow samphire successfully. 

• Salicornia europaea, commonly referred to as glasswort or marsh samphiremarsh is the most commonly known variety in the UK. It grows in tidal flats and coastal marshes naturally, and its juicy stems are gathered for cooking.
• Rock samphire, or Crithmum maritimum, is found in the UK on rocky coasts and coastal cliffs, however, it is less abundant than marsh samphire. Compared to marsh samphire, it has a somewhat distinct look, aromatic, fern-like foliage, and a stronger flavour.

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How to Store Samphire

To preserve samphire for longer periods, you can blanch (lightly boil) it before freezing. Blanch the samphire in boiling water for 1-2 minutes, then immediately transfer it to an ice water bath to stop the cooking process. 

Once cooled, drain the samphire thoroughly and pat it dry. Place the blanched samphire in an airtight container or freezer bag, removing as much air as possible before sealing. Label the container with the date and store it in the freezer for up to several months. 

The Different Ways to Use Samphire

• In our British cuisine, samphire is often served as a crunchy, salty side dish with fish. 
• It can be eaten raw in salads or cooked, pickled, or steam-fried. Many people compare its flavour to that of salty seaweed or asparagus.
• Samphire has been used traditionally for its therapeutic benefits, although it is not as common. It was used in some ancient herbal medicine techniques to treat disorders, like digestive problems, as it was thought to have diuretic and cleansing qualities.