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Big Saltbush

Atriplex lentiformis

true

1 Gallon

Big Saltbush

In stock

Sizes:

Big Saltbush — Atriplex lentiformis

Also known as: Quail Bush, Big Quailbrush

Big Saltbush is a large, tough, and adaptable shrub native to the desert and coastal scrublands of the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico, including parts of the Colorado Desert. It naturally occurs in alkaline flats, dry washes, and along desert edges, making it especially useful for saline or disturbed soils. In ideal conditions, it can reach up to 10 feet tall and wide, forming a dense, spreading thicket.

The foliage is silvery-gray, often covered in a fine salty coating that reflects light and helps the plant conserve water. Leaves are small, oval to diamond-shaped, and the plant is generally evergreen in milder climates. Male and female flowers appear on separate plants (dioecious), with inconspicuous blooms in late spring to summer, followed by clusters of winged seeds on female plants.

This plant is extremely drought-tolerant, thrives in alkaline and clay soils, and can handle occasional flooding. It’s excellent for erosion control, windbreaks, and habitat restoration in desert or riparian transition zones. Big Saltbush is a wildlife magnet, providing dense cover for nesting birds and a reliable food source for a wide range of insects and animals. Its dense growth also makes it a great replacement for invasive tamarisk in restoration work.

Wildlife Value

Host Plant: Saltbush Sootywing (Hesperopsis alpheus); Western Pygmy Blue (Brephidium exilis); Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
Nectar Source: Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui); Saltbush Sootywing (Hesperopsis alpheus); Western Pygmy Blue (Brephidium exilis)
Bird Resources: Seeds; Nest Sites; Insects; Shelter
Bird Species: Gambel’s Quail (Callipepla gambelii); Abert’s Towhee (Melozone aberti); Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps); Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia); White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys); California Towhee (Melozone crissalis)

Plant Care

Native region:

Local Native; Mojave Desert

Water needs:

Exposure:

Mature size:

Growth rate:

Flower color:

Flower season:

Pruning:

Cold Hardiness:

10 Degrees

Nectar-producing:

Yes

Attracts pollinators:

Yes

Nighttime pollinators:

Butterflies or Moths:

Yes

Monarchs:

Larval host:

Yes

Bees:

Bats:

Birds:

Yes

Nest site:

Yes

Nest materials:

Rabbit-resistant:

Tortoises:

Growing Plants in the Desert — Important Information

The information presented here is, to the best of my knowledge, accurate and based on reliable research, personal experience in my own garden, observations from other gardens I’ve visited, and time spent studying plants in their native habitats. I always welcome your feedback and experiences to help me continue educating others!

Cacti:
In my experience, cacti are much happier in filtered shade here in the low desert of the Coachella Valley. Their colors are more vibrant and they tend to bloom more profusely, especially the non-native varieties. If you look closely at how our native barrel cactus and beavertail prickly pear grow in the wild, you’ll often find them tucked among rocks or beneath the shelter of creosote and other shrubs.

⚠️ A note of caution: Cacti and succulents are often illegally collected from the wild, which not only damages plant populations but also disturbs entire ecosystems. In some cases, wild populations of cacti have even gone extinct because of this practice. When purchasing these plants, always be sure they’ve been legally obtained. Look for nursery-grown stock or plants with a native plant certification, and keep that documentation for your records.

Light Requirements:
In our desert (Sonoran/Colorado), “full sun” doesn’t always mean what you might think. Many so-called full-sun plants benefit from and actually appreciate some late-afternoon filtered light—especially during the intense summer months.