shrub

Old Man Saltbush

The Story

Plant Bio

Atriplex nummularia is a large, densely branching evergreen shrub native to the arid inland regions of Australia, characterized by its rounded, spreading form and exceptional drought tolerance. The thick, semi-succulent leaves are covered in a scaly, silver-grey coating that reflects intense sunlight and conserves moisture.

This dioecious species produces inconspicuous, wind-pollinated flowers, with male and female structures occurring on separate plants. The foliage is highly salt-tolerant, accumulating sodium in specialized leaf cells to survive in highly saline or sodic soils.

Uses & Benefits:

The striking silver-grey, semi-succulent foliage provides excellent year-round color contrast and structural texture in arid gardens.

Acts as an effective windbreak, controls erosion on sloped or sandy sites, and tolerates extreme soil salinity.

Provides nesting sites and shelter for local wildlife, while the inconspicuous flowers support generalist insect pollinators.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Shrub

Height

118"

Width

157"

Light

Full Sun

Zones

8, 9, 10

Water

Low

Humidity

Low

Lifespan

Long-lived

Native To

Australia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Spring – Summer

In flower about 6 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a site in full sun with absolute exposure to light, as this species cannot tolerate shade.
Plant in any soil type from sand to heavy clay, ensuring the location has adequate drainage to prevent prolonged waterlogging.
Water regularly during the first growing season to establish a deep root system, then transition to natural rainfall.
Prune heavily in late winter or early spring to maintain a dense, compact shape and prevent the center from becoming woody.

Pro Tip

Do not relegate this shrub to dry, sterile sand; it naturally thrives in heavy clay floodplains and responds vigorously to deep watering and nutrient-rich soils as long as water does not stagnate.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Prune hard into old wood to rejuvenate sparse or leggy growth.
Soak seeds for at least an hour or rub them under running water before sowing to remove germination inhibitors.
Grow in highly alkaline or saline soils where other shrubs fail.

Don't

Do not apply fertilizers, as this species thrives in nutrient-poor or high-fertility matrices without supplemental feeding.
Do not plant in heavily shaded areas, which leads to weak growth and decline.
Do not allow soil to remain chronically wet and poorly drained, which triggers root rot.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Pest Check
Plant
Propagate
Prune

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

WindbreaksHedgesErosion ControlSaline Soil ReclamationXeriscaping

Companion Plants

Atriplex canescens Atriplex lentiformisProsopis glandulosa Larrea tridentata

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Old Man Saltbush questions

What zones can Old Man Saltbush grow in?

Old Man Saltbush is hardy in USDA Zones 8–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Old Man Saltbush deer resistant?

Not reliably. Deer may browse Old Man Saltbush, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.

When does Old Man Saltbush bloom?

Old Man Saltbush typically blooms in spring through summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Old Man Saltbush need full sun?

Old Man Saltbush does best in full sun (6+ hours).

Is Old Man Saltbush drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Old Man Saltbush handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.