It grows in shrubs on sandy beaches with foamy water floating to them. They are very tolerant towards salt. Rather common in Estonian beaches. They grow up to 5–60, mostly 15–30 cm in height. They have shiny and fleshy leaves and small white or light-purple flowers with four petals. European searockets blossom from July to October. The plants are mainly pollinated by insects, but self-pollinating has also been observed. The fruit is a brown, corky, about 2 cm tall and 5 cm wide silique. It floats well and spreads mainly by water.