IFAS Extension
This Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ publication is part of a document series originally written by Edward F. Gilman. Visit https://ffl.ifas.ufl.edu/ to learn more about creating and maintaining attractive landscapes that protect Florida's water resources and environment.
Introduction
Conradina is a sprawling groundcover that reaches a height and spread of 1 to 3 feet (Figure 1). The foliage is evergreen, fine textured, oblong, and has a light fragrance similar to rosemary (Figure 2). The two-lipped lavender flowers appear year-round, are showy, and are attractive to pollinators. Flowers appear in clusters along the leaf axils (Figure 3). This plant is native to coastal strands, scrub ecosystems, and disturbed sites throughout central and south Florida. Conradina is well suited for use as a tall groundcover or low shrub along the beach, may be used in mass plantings, may be used as a border, or makes a valuable addition to a pollinator garden. Conradina grandiflora is threatened in Florida and should only be sourced from reputable nurseries.
Credit: © Jerry John Comellas, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC) via iNaturalist
Credit: Ryan Fessenden
Credit: Ryan Fessenden
General Information
Scientific name: Conradina grandiflora
Pronunciation: kon-ruh-DYE-nuh gran-dif-FLOR-uh
Common name(s): Conradina, largeflower false-rosemary
Family: Lamiaceae
Plant type: groundcover; low shrub
USDA hardiness zones: 9B to 11B (Figures 4 and 5)
Credit: This map is based on the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Visit https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/ for specific zone information.
Credit: This map is based on the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Visit https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/ for specific zone information.
Planting month for zone 9: Mar; Apr; May; Jun; Jul; Aug; Sep
Planting month for zones 10 and 11: year-round
Origin: native to Florida
Uses: groundcover; low shrub; mass planting; border; attracts pollinators
Availability: somewhat available, may have to go out of the region to find the plant
Description
Height: 1 to 3 feet
Spread: 1 to 3 feet
Plant habit: spreading
Plant density: moderate
Growth rate: fast
Texture: medium
Foliage
Leaf arrangement: opposite/subopposite
Leaf type: simple
Leaf margin: entire
Leaf shape: oblong
Leaf venation: not applicable
Leaf type and persistence: fragrant; evergreen
Leaf blade length: unknown
Leaf color: green
Fall color: no fall color change
Fall characteristic: not showy
Flower
Flower color: lavender; white
Flower characteristic: year-round flowering; showy
Fruit
Fruit shape: round
Fruit length: less than 0.5 inch
Fruit cover: dry or hard
Fruit color: brown
Fruit characteristic: inconspicuous and not showy
Trunk and Branches
Trunk/bark/branches: not particularly showy; typically multi-trunked or clumping stems
Current year stem/twig color: unknown
Current year stem/twig thickness: unknown
Culture
Light requirement: plant grows in full sun
Soil tolerances: acidic; slightly alkaline; sand; loam; clay
Drought tolerance: high
Soil salt tolerances: high
Plant spacing: 18 to 24 inches
Other
Roots: usually not a problem
Winter interest: evergreen foliage
Invasive potential: not known to be invasive
Use and Management
Conradina is a very hardy Florida native plant. It is both drought and salt tolerant and is adaptable to a range of soil textures. Soil should be well drained and slightly acidic to alkaline pH. This plant should be located in full sun to promote flowering. Conradina has a sprawling to matting growth form. This plant makes a great addition to coastal landscapes, pollinator gardens, and may be used as edging or planted en masse.
Design Considerations
Conradina provides lavender-lilac blooms from late winter into spring and luminous, silvery evergreen foliage that forms a loose, mounded habit with fine, aromatic texture—an effective complement to coarse plants and a reliable resource for pollinators. It thrives in full sun and extremely well-drained, sandy, low-fertility soils, making it ideal for berms, slopes, coastal and native gardens, and elevated foundation areas; avoid low or heavy soils, routine irrigation, dense organic mulches, and any site that stays moist. Strong companion plantings include pink muhly (Muhlenbergia capillaris), dune sunflower (Helianthus debilis), blanketflower (Gaillardia pulchella), Stokes’ aster (Stokesia laevis), seaside goldenrod (Solidago mexicana), and structural species such as coontie (Zamia integrifolia) and yucca (Yucca spp.).
Pests and Diseases
No pest issues of major concern. Disease issues may include powdery mildew.
