Salt marshes in the U.S. are typically dominated by salt-tolerant grasses and sedges, which thrive in brackish environments.

Grasses and sedges are the primary types of vegetation found in U.S. salt marshes. These plants are specially adapted to tolerate the saline conditions of tidal areas. Species like Spartina (smooth cordgrass) and Juncus (rushes) are common in these marshes, providing important ecosystem services such as water filtration and habitat for wildlife. In contrast, cactus and pine trees are found in dry and forested environments, respectively, while ferns are more typical in moist, shaded areas, not coastal marshes.