Lamiaceae
Premna serratifolia
Coastal Premna
Not currently in the nursery
We can propagate most native species on request — get in touch to discuss timeline and quantity.
About
This resilient coastal species often grows as a multi-stemmed shrub or small tree, reaching up to 10 metres, and is characterised by its distinctive opposite leaves. It bears clusters of small, fragrant, greenish-white flowers that develop into tiny, glossy black fruits, attracting a variety of birds.
Where it works in Kilifi
This hardy plant thrives in full sun and well-drained sandy or loamy soils typical of the Kilifi coast, making it excellent for coastal restoration projects. Plant it as a resilient hedge, a screening plant, or for stabilising dunes and embankments, with spacing around 2-3 metres for dense cover.
Growing notes
It exhibits a moderate to fast growth rate and is remarkably drought-tolerant once established, requiring minimal supplementary water. Extremely hardy and tolerant of salt spray, it is generally pest and disease free, requiring little ongoing maintenance.
Sources
Drafted from: Gemini 2.5 Flash. Please verify with local knowledge before relying on these notes.