Australian Saltbush: A Drought-Tolerant Groundcover for Challenging Landscapes
If you’re battling dry, salty, or just plain stubborn soil, Australian saltbush (Atriplex semibaccata) might catch your attention. This tough-as-nails perennial shrub has made itself at home in challenging landscapes across the American Southwest, offering gardeners a low-maintenance solution for difficult growing conditions.
What Is Australian Saltbush?
Australian saltbush is exactly what its name suggests – a salt-tolerant plant originally from Australia that’s now found growing wild across several U.S. states. This low-growing perennial shrub typically stays under 1.5 feet tall, though it can occasionally reach up to 3 feet at maturity. Its silvery-green foliage creates an attractive, dense groundcover that spreads horizontally rather than growing upward.
Where You’ll Find It Growing
This adaptable plant has established itself across the warmer regions of the United States, particularly in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah. It’s considered a non-native species that reproduces on its own in the wild, having found these areas quite suitable for its growth habits.
Why Gardeners Choose Australian Saltbush
There are several compelling reasons why this plant appeals to certain gardeners:
- Extreme drought tolerance: Once established, it needs very little water
- Salt tolerance: Thrives in coastal areas and saline soils where other plants struggle
- Low maintenance: Requires minimal care once established
- Erosion control: Its spreading habit helps stabilize soil on slopes
- Poor soil tolerance: Actually prefers sandy, rocky, or otherwise challenging soils
Landscape Uses and Design Ideas
Australian saltbush works particularly well in:
- Xeriscape and drought-tolerant gardens
- Mediterranean-style landscapes
- Coastal gardens where salt spray is an issue
- Erosion control projects on slopes or disturbed areas
- Low-maintenance commercial landscapes
- Areas with poor or contaminated soil
Growing Conditions and Care
Australian saltbush is refreshingly easy to grow if you can provide the right conditions:
Climate: Best suited for USDA hardiness zones 8-11, where it can handle both heat and occasional light frost.
Soil: Prefers poor, sandy, or rocky soils and actually struggles in rich, organic soil. Excellent drainage is essential.
Water: Extremely drought tolerant once established. In fact, overwatering can be more harmful than underwatering.
Sun exposure: Thrives in full sun conditions.
Wetland tolerance: Can grow in both wetland and non-wetland conditions, making it quite adaptable to different moisture levels.
Planting and Maintenance Tips
Getting started with Australian saltbush is straightforward:
- Plant from seed in fall or early spring
- Space plants 2-3 feet apart to allow for spreading
- Water regularly only during the establishment period (first few months)
- Once established, water sparingly or rely on natural rainfall
- Prune lightly if needed to maintain desired shape
- Be aware that it may self-seed readily in favorable conditions
Wildlife and Pollinator Value
While Australian saltbush produces small, inconspicuous flowers that are wind-pollinated, it offers limited value to pollinators compared to native alternatives. The flowers and foliage may provide some wildlife habitat, but specific benefits aren’t well documented.
Things to Consider
Before planting Australian saltbush, keep in mind that it’s not native to North America. While it’s not currently listed as invasive, its ability to self-seed and establish in the wild means it can potentially spread beyond your intended planting area.
If you’re interested in supporting local ecosystems, consider native alternatives that provide similar drought tolerance and groundcover benefits, such as:
- Native saltbush species (Atriplex species native to your region)
- Desert broom (Baccharis species)
- Native bunch grasses
- Regional native shrubs suited to dry conditions
The Bottom Line
Australian saltbush can be a practical choice for challenging landscapes where few other plants will thrive. Its extreme tolerance for drought, poor soil, and salty conditions makes it valuable for specific situations like erosion control or coastal landscaping. However, gardeners interested in supporting native ecosystems might want to explore indigenous alternatives that provide similar benefits while supporting local wildlife and maintaining regional ecological balance.
If you do choose to plant Australian saltbush, monitor it to ensure it doesn’t spread beyond your intended area, and consider combining it with native plants to create a more ecologically diverse landscape.
