Because the gas plant grows very slowly and does not transplant well, gardeners should carefully select its planting site and exercise patience. Do not disturb plants if at all possible. Uses for this perennial include specimen plantings and attractive seed pods. The foliage and flowers may cause a severe dermatitis on some people. Long, spear-like bracts surround the heads.
Blooms appear in midsummer.
Sea holly prefers full sun and sandy, dry areas. This perennial is tolerant of dry, sunny conditions and infertile soils. It can be used as a single specimen or in groups of three. Sea holly can also be used as a dried flower. Tubular flowers appear massed in the top 6 to 10 inches of the flower scape in the summer.