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Atriplex cinerea

grey saltbush

Amaranthaceae Coastal southern Australia

Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun

WaterVery Low · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 9–11

Overview

Atriplex cinerea is an evergreen shrub in the amaranth family reaching 2-5 feet (0.6-1.5 m) tall and 3-8 feet (0.9-2.5 m) wide, with a low, spreading, mounded habit. Leaves are alternate, narrow-oblong to lance-shaped, 1-3 inches (2.5-7.5 cm) long, grey to silvery and covered with a mealy, scaly coating that reflects light and helps shed salt. The plant is usually dioecious, with separate male and female plants; small flowers cluster in spikes at the stem tips in spring and summer, greenish to yellow-grey. Female plants form flattened, papery fruiting bracts that hold the seed. Growth is moderate to fast, and plants spread wider than tall to form a low grey mound. The species tolerates salt spray, sand, wind, and drought, but is short-lived in humid, poorly drained inland gardens and can become straggly with age.

Native Range

Native to coastal southern Australia, from Western Australia across South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, and New South Wales. Grows on foredunes, sandy beaches, cliff tops, and the margins of coastal saltmarsh in exposed, salt-laden, free-draining sites at or near sea level.

Suggested Uses

Planted in coastal, seaside, and low-water gardens, on dunes and exposed banks, and for sand stabilization and erosion control, spaced 3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 m) apart. Salt and wind tolerance suit it to front-line coastal plantings, and the edible grey leaves are used in bush food. A short life in humid inland gardens limits its use away from the coast.

How to Identify

Recognized by the low, spreading grey to silvery mound of mealy, scaly leaves 1-3 inches (2.5-7.5 cm) long and by the separate male and female plants. Female plants carry flattened papery fruiting bracts along the stems. The dense silver-grey coastal foliage separates it from green-leaved saltbushes of inland plains.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height2' - 5'

Width/Spread3' - 8'

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowers in spring and summer, mainly September to February in its native range. The small wind-pollinated flowers are inconspicuous and open over several weeks. Female plants hold papery fruiting bracts into autumn.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Greenish to yellow-grey

Foliage Description

Grey to silvery

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.5 - 8.5(Alkaline)

357912

Soil Types

sand rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Very Low

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grows in full sun in free-draining sandy or rocky soil and tolerates salt spray, sand burial, wind, and extended drought once established. Water through the first season; established plants need little or no extra water and rot in humid, poorly drained ground. The grey foliage stays dense in full sun and thins in shade. Light trimming keeps the mound compact and slows a straggly habit. Few pests affect it, though root rot follows overwatering in heavy soil.

Pruning

Trim lightly through the growing season, taking up to one-third of the growth to keep a dense, rounded mound. The plant reshoots from green wood after cutting back. Regular light trimming slows the straggly, open habit of older plants.

Pruning Schedule

summerfall