Atriplex polycarpa
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Atriplex polycarpa

Cattle saltbush · Cattle-spinach · Desert saltbush

Tier 2 Difficulty: easy Water: low Light: full_sun
Temperature
15–37 °C
Soil pH
6–8
Hardiness
Zone 7–11
Click count
10
Observations
5

Description

Source: leafsnap

Atriplex polycarpa, the allscale, (or all-scale) cattle spinach, allscale saltbush, or cattle saltbush, is a plant in the family Amaranthaceae. It is native to the Southwestern United States, California, and northern Mexico. This species blooms in July and August.

Care Guide

💧 Water
☀️ Light Full sun

Cattle saltbush is native to open habitats, like sunlit meadows and the edges of forests, which offer abundant light. It prefers Full Sun but can endure Partial Sun, showing good adaptability to different light conditions.

Ideal: Full sun
🌡️ Temperature 15–37.8°C

Cattle saltbush is fairly adaptable to temperature, capable of withstanding high heat and wide temperature swings. In hot weather, attention should be given to watering and appropriate shading to prevent sunburn. Conversely, its tolerance to low temperatures is relatively limited. Although it can endure some cold, very low temperatures can cause frost damage.

Ideal temperature: 15–37.8°C
💨 Humidity
Humidity:
🪴 Soil 6-8
Soil pH: 6-8
🌱 Fertilizer

Fertilize your Cattle saltbush in early spring to encourage healthy growth. Regular feeding improves overall health, leading to vigorous growth, better tolerance of harsh conditions, and increased resistance to diseases and pests. Keep a consistent fertilization schedule for your Cattle saltbush to preserve vibrant, deeply colored, lush foliage.

🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning

Cattle saltbush thrives in dry and salty environments. Pruning in early spring is essential to remove dead branches and encourage healthy growth. Thinning out dense areas improves air circulation and enhances the plant's appearance. Using clean, sharp tools helps prevent disease and ensures the best results.

🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type
Shrub
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Atriplex
Family
Amaranthaceae
Hardiness Zone
7-11
Mature Height
0.49 m to 2.13 m
Mature Spread
0.91 m to 3.05 m
Leaf Color
Gray, Silver
Leaf Type
Evergreen
Flower Size
0.20 cm to 0.51 cm
Bloom Time
Late summer, Early fall, Mid fall
Planting Time
Spring, Summer
Harvest Time
Mid fall, Late fall, Early winter
Native Area
Mexico

Tags (5)

Common Names (3)

en Cattle saltbush
en Cattle-spinach
en Desert saltbush