Nitraria retusa
Images by part: leaf (5) · flower (5) · fruit (3) · bark (4) · habit (5) · other (2)

Nitraria retusa

Tier 2 Difficulty: easy Water: low Light: full_sun
Temperature
15–37 °C
Soil pH
6–8
Hardiness
Zone 8–11
Click count
13
Observations
30

Description

Source: leafsnap

Nitraria retusa, commonly known as Nitre bush, is a salt-tolerant and drought-resistant shrub in the family Nitrariaceae. It can grow to heights of 2.5 metres (8 ft 2 in), although it seldom exceeds more than 1 m in height. It produces small white/green coloured flowers and small edible red fruit. The plant is native to desert areas of northern Africa, where it grows in primary succession on barren sand dunes, and in areas with high salinities such as salt marshes.

Care Guide

💧 Water
☀️ Light Full sun

The Salt tree grows in open habitats, like sunny meadows and forest edges, which offer plenty of light. It flourishes in Full Sun but will also tolerate Partial Sun, showing good adaptability to different light conditions.

Ideal: Full sun
🌡️ Temperature 15–37.8°C

The salt tree comes from tropical areas where the climate is generally warm and humid. Consequently, it is adapted to high heat and moisture. It does not tolerate sudden temperature shifts and prefers a consistent thermal environment, so preventing indoor temperature fluctuations is important. It usually cannot withstand cold and needs warmer conditions to grow. If the surrounding temperature becomes too low, the plant may stop growing or even die.

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

Fertilizing is essential for Salt tree care. Regular feeding during the growing season maintains the energy for its showy leaves and supports overall growth. If fertilization is neglected, leaves can become unhealthy, the plant’s ornamental appeal can decline, and growth may be stunted or weak and prone to breakage.

🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning

The salt tree is a robust, salt-tolerant shrub that thrives in arid regions. To maintain its health and appearance, it's best to prune the plant in early spring. Start by removing any dead branches to encourage new growth and improve air circulation. Additionally, thinning out crowded branches will enhance the shrub's aesthetics and reduce the risk of disease, ultimately supporting the plant's health and longevity.

🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type
Shrub
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Nitraria
Family
Nitrariaceae
Hardiness Zone
8-11
Mature Height
0.91 m to 2.13 m
Mature Spread
2.13 m to 3.05 m
Leaf Color
Green Yellow, Yellow Green
Leaf Type
Evergreen
Flower Color
White
Flower Size
0.51 cm to 0.76 cm
Bloom Time
Mid spring, Late spring
Planting Time
Spring, Summer, Autumn
Harvest Time
Mid summer, Late summer, Early fall
Native Area
Saudi Arabia, Libya, Iraq, Syria, Tunisia, Egypt, Sudan, Mauritania, Algeria, Kuwait, Morocco

Tags (6)