Conocarpus erectus var. sericeus
 
Common Names Silver Buttonwood, Silver Mangrove
 
Zones 10B–11
A shimmering cultivar of the native Conocarpus erectus, the silver buttonwood is prized for its velvety, silvery-gray foliage and sculptural form. Native to coastal Florida and the Caribbean, it thrives in salt-laden air, poor soils, and intense sun. Its fine texture and upright vase shape make it ideal for formal hedges, bonsai, or minimalist tropical gardens.
 
Key Features
Growth Habit: Multi-trunked shrub or small tree; symmetrical vase shape
Height: Typically 15–20 ft (4.5–6 m); can reach 25 ft (7.6 m) with age
Leaves: Alternate; lanceolate to oblong; 2–4 in (5–10 cm); covered in silky hairs giving a silvery-blue cast
Bark: Dark brown; rigid and scaly
Flowers: Small, greenish-white; borne in cone-like heads; bloom year-round
Fruit: Red-brown, dry capsules; <½ in (1.2 cm); not messy
Ecology: Native to coastal hammocks, mangrove margins, and urban sites; low invasive potential
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Full sun preferred; tolerates part shade
Watering: Low to moderate; drought tolerant once established
Soil: Sandy, rocky, or loamy; tolerates poor drainage and alkaline pH
Temperature: Frost sensitive; protect below 40°F (4°C)
Humidity: High tolerance; thrives in coastal humidity
Propagation: Cuttings or seed
Tolerance: Salt spray, urban pollution, pruning, compacted soils
 
Landscape Use Ideal for coastal buffers, xeric gardens, and bonsai. Use as a hedge, accent tree, or container specimen. Pairs well with Bucida molinetti, Thrinax radiata, and Suriana maritima.