Rock samphire grows well on stony beaches, in crevices on dikes and cracks of cliff walls. It is a true coastal plant, preferring sunny open areas that are (moderately) rich in nutrients, brackish and wet. It can also grow in the dunes, but then in sand that is somewhat salty. The only place you will find rock samphire in the Netherlands is in Zeeland and in the wadden region, but even there it is rare. Rock samphire remains a lovely plant even after flowering, thanks to the reddish discoloration of the stems, leaves and seeds.