How to Grow Fourwing Saltbush

Fourwing Saltbush

Atriplex canescens

shrub

Fourwing saltbush is a hardy, drought-tolerant native shrub of the western United States, valued for its ability to thrive in arid, saline, and degraded soils where few other plants survive. It produces small, four-winged seeds and gray-green foliage that provides excellent wildlife forage and erosion control. The plant is widely used in rangeland restoration, reclamation projects, and xeriscaping.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 8+ hours daily; essential for dense growth and forage quality

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Water: Very low water needs once established; requires occasional deep watering during establishment (first 1-2 years). Drought-tolerant; minimal supplemental water needed in most climates except extreme drought.

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Spacing: 36-60 inches

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Days to maturity: 12-18 months to mature shrub form; forage production begins within 1-2 years

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Planting depth: Surface sow or lightly press seeds into soil; transplants planted at soil line

Soil

Type: Well-draining, sandy, loamy, or gravelly soil; tolerates highly saline and alkaline soils

pH: 7.0-8.5

Amendments:

Minimal amendments needed Gravel or sand to improve drainage in clay soils Compost only if soil is extremely poor

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 3-9, especially well-suited to arid and semi-arid regions

3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a

Growth Stages

Seedling

2-4 weeks

Tiny emergent shoots with cotyledons; delicate and vulnerable to competition and moisture stress

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; provide afternoon shade in hot climates; thin seedlings to proper spacing early

Establishment

4-8 weeks

Young plants developing true leaves and root system; gray-green foliage becoming visible; slow initial growth

Water deeply but infrequently to encourage deep root development; mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds; no fertilizer needed; remove competing weeds

Vegetative Growth

3-12 months

Rapid expansion of woody stems and gray-green foliage; plant develops its characteristic mounding form

Reduce watering frequency as drought tolerance increases; no fertilizer needed; allow natural shape to develop; minimal pruning required

Flowering & Fruiting

6-8 weeks

Inconspicuous yellow-green flowers appear in spring/early summer; distinctive four-winged seeds develop and mature

No special care needed; allow seeds to mature and fall naturally for wildlife forage; do not deadhead unless control is desired

Mature Shrub

2+ years and ongoing

Fully established shrub 3-6 feet tall and wide with dense, woody growth; prolific seed production each year

Extremely drought-tolerant; no regular watering needed except in severe drought; no fertilizer required; light pruning only for shape or size control if needed

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Rubber rabbitbrush Winterfat Snakeweed Galleta grass Indian ricegrass Ponderosa pine Utah juniper Desert marigold

Avoid planting near:

Water-loving plants Shade trees that compete for water Aggressive weeds

Common Pests

Generally not a problem due to plant's saltiness; habitat modification and natural predators provide control in native settings
and
Fencing or wildlife netting if browsing is severe; plant is reasonably palatable to wildlife but usually not heavily damaged
Ensure excellent drainage; avoid overwatering; use well-draining soil amendments

Uses

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Wildlife Forage & Habitat

Wildlife

Fourwing saltbush is an exceptional wildlife food source, providing highly nutritious seeds and foliage for wildlife including bighorn sheep, deer, pronghorn antelope, rabbits, and numerous bird species. It is a key restoration plant for native grazing animals on rangelands. [source]

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Erosion Control & Land Reclamation

Household

Due to its deep root system and ability to thrive in saline, alkaline, and degraded soils, fourwing saltbush is widely planted for soil stabilization, erosion control, and reclamation of mined lands, roadsides, and disturbed sites. [source]

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Livestock Feed

Culinary

In arid ranching regions, fourwing saltbush is used as a drought-resistant supplemental forage and browse for cattle, sheep, and goats, particularly valuable during dry seasons when other forage is scarce. [source]

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Xeriscaping & Drought-Resistant Landscaping

Household

The plant's extreme drought tolerance, hardiness, and attractive gray-green foliage make it an excellent choice for water-wise landscaping in western gardens and arid climates. [source]

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Traditional Ethnobotanical Uses

Medicinal

Native peoples of the Southwest historically used fourwing saltbush seeds for food and the plant for various medicinal purposes; seeds are rich in nutrients and protein. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Fourwing saltbush is not typically harvested by humans. Seeds naturally drop in late summer/early fall and are consumed by wildlife. For seed collection, harvest in fall when seeds are fully mature and dry. For livestock forage, allow animals to browse or collect fresh foliage in spring/summer when nutritional content is highest.

Fun Facts

🌱 The distinctive four-winged fruits (samaras) are the source of the plant's common name and make it instantly recognizable—the wings aid in seed dispersal by wind.
🌱 Fourwing saltbush is one of the most salt-tolerant native plants of the western United States and actually thrives in soils too saline for most agricultural crops, making it invaluable for revegetating salt-affected rangelands.
🌱 A single mature plant can produce thousands of seeds annually, providing abundant food for wildlife; native peoples ground the seeds into flour as a staple food source.

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