ATriplex

( AT - rip - plex )

At-A-Glance Information

Commonly known as Saltbush or Orache, this genus of shrubs, subshrubs, and annuals is prized for species' silvery-green foliage. These plants are very tolerant of harsh conditions, such as those near shorelines drought, and highly alkaline desert soils. They have been used successfully as erosion-control plants in many areas, as well. The summertime flowers and seeds that follow will attract birds to your garden. Use Saltbush to add foliage color to mixed beds and borders, as hillside or grondcover plantings, or simply as specimens in the landscape.

Atriplex Species and Varietals

The genus Atriplex includes around 250 distinct species of shrubs, and belongs to the subfamily Chenopodioideae in the family Amaranthaceae. The genus was first described in 1753 in Species Plantarum (Carl Linnaeus). Their common name, Saltbush, refers to the fact that they store salt in their leaves, and do well in coastal regions where soil is a bit salt-heavy. They are also known as Orache (also spelled Orach), a name which Pliny the Elder gave the shrub to refer to its use in cooking. The best growing zone for Atriplex depends on the species (to find your zone, click here: Zone Map). For more information, see the descriptions below.

​​Atriplex barklayana (Dwarf Saltbush, Sonoran Saltbush, Barclay's Saltbush)
This species forms an evergreen shrub that grows well in USDA hardiness zones 6a-10b or Sunset growing zones 16-24. The species reaches 1.5 feet tall and 4 feet across, and makes a good groundcover. Leaves are covered in a white powder.

​Atriplex canescens (Four-Wing Saltbrush, Shadscale, Chamiso, Chamiza, White Greasewood)
Evergreen shrub that grows in USDA hardiness zones 3-11 or Sunset growing zones 1-3 and 7-24 and is native to much of the arid west. Dense grower to 3-6 feet high and 4-8 feet wide. Narrow gray leaves. This species is often seen sheared into a hedge in ornamental landscapes.

Atriplex hymenelytra (Desert Holly, Yuma Desert Holly)
Evergreen shrub growing to 1-3 feet tall and 3 feet wide at maturity. This species does well in USDA hardiness zones 8a-11 or Sunset growing zones 3, 7-14, and 19. Branches are white, covered with silvery leaves. Needs fast drainage but can be watered heavily from midwinter into spring as it begins putting on new growth. Flowers are yellow to purple-brown, followed by reddish, flattened fruits.

​Atriplex lentiformis (Quail Bush)
This variety grows best in zones 7-14, 18, and 19. Dense branches with bluish-grey leaves. Grows to about 3-10 feet tall and 6-12 feet wide. Useful as an informal hedge or windbreak.

​Atriplex lentiformis breweri (Brewer Saltbush)
Nearly evergreen variety of A. lentiformis that grows in zones 8, 9, and 12-24. Not as spiny as A. lentiformis, grows to 5-7 feet tall and 6-8 feet wide and can be sheared into a hedge.

​Atriplex nummularia (Old Man Saltbush, Giant Saltbush, Bluegreen Saltbush)
Evergreen, grows best in USDA hardiness zones 7-10 or Sunset growing zones 15-24. Native to Australia and has naturalized itself in parts of Southern California. This is a dense, round shrub growing to 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide. Tolerates many conditions, such as summer drought and winter flooding. Can grow in full sun or light shade.

​Atriplex polycarpa (Desert Saltbrush, Cattle Spinach)
Grows in USDA hardiness zones 7b-10a or Sunset growing zones 3, 7-13, 18 and 19. This bush has a dense covering of grey/white scales, giving it a glowing effect. Grows to a 3-6 foot mound. Does not need formal irrigation, but leaves will drop under unusually hot weather and drought.

​Atriplex semibaccata (Australian Saltbush)
Evergreen variety that grows to 1 foot tall and 6 feet wide. When growing for groundcover, plant about 3 feet apart. Leaves are greyish-green. This species is considered moderately invasive, so take care when planting it in your yard. This species grows well in USDA hardiness zones 6a-10b.

caring for Atriplex

Atriplex bushes prefer to be planted in full sun conditions and like to be in moist soil. They are tolerant of high temperatures, drought, and saline soil conditions. These plants are not picky about soil pH, and are able to grow in acidic, neutral and alkaline soils. They do not need to be pruned though some species can take shearing into hedges well. Otherwise, prune only to remove dried or severely damaged foliage on a regular basis. With age, however, they can become a big straggly-looking, and their habit will benefit from being cut back by a third every year, before the first flush of springtime growth occurs. Saltbushes do not need to be fertilized.

Propagation

Propagating Atriplex by Seed
​The seeds on a Saltbush plant will be ready to be harvested when the seed pods have dried; this usually occurs sometime in late summer or fall, and can either be sown indoors or outdoors. To propagate your Saltbush from seed, follow these directions:
  1. Gather your materials: A pot or seed tray filled with potting soil, a spray bottle filled with water, 
  2. If sowing indoors, about four weeks before the last frost of the year, fill your pot or seed tray with potting soil and water to ensure that adequate drainage is taking place. Then, place your harvested seeds on top of the soil spaced 12-16 inches apart, and cover them with a thin layer of soil. Keep your seeds in an area that stays between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
  3. Water your seeds with a spray bottle to begin with, so as not to disturb their placement. After about a week or two, your seeds will have germinated and begun to sprout new growth.
  4. After four weeks, your plants will be ready to be transplanted to their home in your garden. Choose a spot that gets full sun and great drainage, and provide with regular water while they become established. Once they have grown a bit, you can lessen waterings.
  5. If sowing outdoors, place your seeds on top of the soil in a spot that gets full sun and has great drainage, and cover the seeds with a layer of soil. Provide with water, being careful not to disturb seed placement. Your seeds should germinate in around 2-3 weeks.

Propagating Atriplex by Cutting
The easiest way to propagate Saltbushes is through taking cuttings in the spring or summertime. To propagate your Atriplex by cutting, follow the directions below:
  1. Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material.
  2. In summer, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate by cutting. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 4-6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip off the bottom two leaves. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot so that the lowest set of leaves is just above the soil surface. Gently fill in soil around the base to support the cutting; do not pack the soil down.
  3. Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept a sunny spot indoors where it receives bright, indirect light. Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. Rooting times vary depending on which Atriplex plant you're propagating, so continue to check for roots every so often around three to four weeks after planting. When you notice new growth on your propagated plant, it's a good sign that you have roots, as well. After your plant has sprouted roots, decrease watering to once a week.
  4. Keep your new plant in an area with bright indirect light and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist for about a year, after which you can transplant it to its new home in your yard. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can damage your new plant as it adjusts to being outdoors.

Problems and pests

Saltbush is very resistant to pests and diseases. For information on treating common garden pests and diseases, consult the following pages:
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Gallery

Atriplex can grow in conditions that most other plants would not handle well; they survive saline soil and drought conditions, and are not picky about soil pH.
Many species of Atriplex have beautiful, grey-green foliage.
Some species make great low-maintenance groundcovers or erosion control plants.

videos

​How to grow and care for Saltbush.

Resources

Wikipedia: Atriplex
Gardener's Workshop: Atriplex
Global Flowers: Atriplex
Care of the Plant Saltbush
Atriplex Plant Growing Guide
Atriplex sembiccata Profile: California Invasive Plant Council
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 178 - 179, Atriplex