Samphire Plant
Image © Stephen Shirley Use This Image

Samphire Plant

Salicornia europaea

Once described as the poor man’s Asparagus this is now fast becoming a ‘trendy’ garnish in many of the gourmet restaurants. That said, this is a fantastic vegetable in its own right or can be made into a wonderful pickled vegetable – The Wild Food Year Book which we also sell contains some great recipes! Additionally Samphire is reputedly a natural carminative, depurative, digestive and diuretic – and has also been suggested as a natural treatment for obesity. Grow it in a container on you window sill or in the open ground.

This is not something ‘new' - in his writings Shakespeare made reference to Samphire growing on the White Cliffs of Dover – and the workings of the Channel Tunnel were ‘reclaimed’ into a new area of land called Samphire Hoe.

Our brief guidance on how to grow samphire will prove useful to those considering growing this most worthwhile plant. Our favourite recipe for pickling samphire may also prove of interest, and as if that is not enough we also detail its purported medicinal uses

Supplied as a pot grown plant.

Back to Vegetable Plants

Back to Herb Plants

How To Grow Samphire

The most critical issue for growing Samphire is that it requires saline conditions. Whether grown in the open ground or in a container it is best watered with a saline solution (1 teaspoon of proper sea salt in a pint of water).

Samphire prefers a light sandy soil (or well drained) and a sunny position. A warm sheltered position is ideal and protection from the worst of our Winters will ensure continuity from year to year.

The Health Benefits Of Samphire

Currently Samphire is little used in herbal medicine. That said, it is known to be a good diuretic and research is currently being undertaken in its use as potential treatment for obesity. It has a high Vitamin C content and along with its properties to aid digestion is also thought to relieve flatulence. Reaserch is also currently being undertaken into it reputed benefits to those with Kidney complaints.

Pickled Samphire

Ingredients
Samphire
Salt
Vinegar

Method
Gather the young green Samphire the end of July – before it flowers. Break into 2” lengths, lay on a dish and sprinkle with dry salt. Leave for 24 hours. Drain, then cook gently until tender in enough vinegar to just cover it, but don’t allow it to get soft; plain vinegar is best for this as the Samphire has its own spicy flavour. Seal down securely in hot jars.