Mertensia Silver Ocean Seeds

Bring a cool, coastal note to an edible pot or rock garden with Mertensia maritima ‘Silver Ocean’. This low-spreading perennial combines fleshy silver-blue-green leaves with nodding blue flowers and a distinctive oyster-like flavour.

Ready to grow this unusual oyster leaf? Follow our step-by-step Mertensia Silver Ocean Grow Guide for shallow sowing, cool germination, transplanting, regional timing and careful moisture management.

Quick Grow Facts

• Plant Type: Low, trailing/spreading perennial
• Scientific Name: Mertensia maritima
• Seed Form: Raw seed
• Pack Sizes: 10, 100 and 1000 raw seed; live availability varies
• South African Sowing Time: Cool season or protected late winter/early spring; adjust for region
• Position: Bright light or morning sun; afternoon shade in hot areas
• Sow Depth and Light: Surface sow and cover lightly, about 1–2 mm; bright indirect light
• Germination: 20–22°C for about 10–20 days, sometimes uneven
• Transplanting: At 5–6 weeks, then harden for 7–10 days
• Spacing: 40 cm, or 50 cm for humid/wet conditions
• Height and Spread: About 20 cm high and 40–50 cm wide
• Flowering: A cool winter period helps initiate flowering
• Use and Safety: Young leaves and flowers may be used as food when grown safely; do not eat seed

Why Grow This Variety

• Distinctive silver-blue foliage adds texture to edible beds and containers.
• Young leaves offer an unusual salty, oyster-like garnish.
• Low growth suits rock gardens, pots and sheltered coastal-style plantings.
• Delicate blue bell flowers add ornamental interest after a cool season.

Garden Uses

Use ‘Silver Ocean’ in a gritty herb pot, raised edible bed, rock garden or sheltered container. Keep it away from persistently wet soil and give the crown good airflow.

Growing Notes

• Use a fine, free-draining seed mix; press raw seed onto the surface and cover only lightly.
• Keep 20–22°C and evenly moist until emergence, then ventilate and reduce moisture slightly.
• Transplant a firm plug after 5–6 weeks and harden gradually.
• Water consistently during establishment, then deeply and only when the surface begins to dry.
• Protect from prolonged winter rain, especially in heavy soil or humid climates.

Seed safety: Raw seed describes the seed form and does not confirm an untreated lot. Do not eat seed, and use only clean, food-safe growing conditions for edible harvests.

Brought to you by Ubuntuberg Seeds, where our mission is to cultivate humanity & harvest unity. Ubuntuberg Seeds: the highest quality seed stock in all of Southern Africa, sourced from sustainable farms, guaranteeing you the best quality seed stock.