annual

Spearscale

The Story

Plant Bio

Atriplex prostrata, commonly known as spearscale, is a sprawling annual herb native to Eurasia and North Africa that has naturalized widely in North American coastal marshes and disturbed soils. The plant produces triangular, spear-shaped lower leaves with a distinct grayish-green, mealy texture caused by tiny bladder-like hairs on the foliage.

The species is distinguished by its highly adaptable, prostrate to erect growth habit and its terminal spikes of tiny, petal-less green flowers. Female flowers develop into characteristic triangular, hardened bracts that enclose the seeds, allowing them to survive winter freezes in the soil.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides a unique silvery-gray foliage texture in specialized coastal or saline garden designs.

Highly effective for stabilizing soil and colonizing saline, heavy clay, or disturbed coastal sites.

Seeds serve as a food source for granivorous birds, while the low foliage offers ground cover for insects.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Annual

Height

31"

Width

39"

Light

Full Sun

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Water

Moist to wet

Humidity

High

Lifespan

Annual

Native To

Europe, temperate Asia, North Africa

Toxicity

Low (can accumulate nitrates or oxalates in contaminated soils)

Bloom period

Summer – Fall

In flower about 6 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a site with full sun and moist, saline, or poorly drained clay or sandy soil.
Sow seeds directly onto the soil surface in spring, as they require no pre-treatment to germinate.
Maintain moist soil conditions during the early growth stages to establish the root system.
Allow the plant to complete its annual cycle and set seed if naturalization is desired.

Pro Tip

To distinguish this species from similar annual oraches, examine the fruiting bracteoles; they are triangular, fused only at the base, and either entire or slightly toothed along the margins.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Pull or hoe plants manually before late summer if you wish to prevent self-seeding.
Provide full sun exposure to ensure robust, branching growth.
Utilize this plant in saline depressions or heavy clay areas where other species fail to grow.

Don't

Do not apply nitrogen fertilizers, as this species thrives in nutrient-poor soils and can accumulate excess nitrates.
Do not plant in highly managed ornamental borders where a tidy, non-spreading habit is required.
Do not attempt to prune or shape the plant, as it is an annual that completes its life cycle within one season.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Harvest
Pest Check
Plant
Spring Cleanup

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Revegetation of saline soilsErosion control in coastal zonesGroundcover for disturbed clay sites

Companion Plants

Distichlis spicata Salicornia depressa Suaeda calceoliformis

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Spearscale questions

What zones can Spearscale grow in?

Spearscale is hardy in USDA Zones 4–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

When does Spearscale bloom?

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

Does Spearscale need full sun?

Spearscale does best in full sun (6+ hours).

Is Spearscale drought tolerant?

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