Old Man Saltbush Seeds

OLD MAN SALTBUSH Seeds

Botanical Name: Atriplex nummularia
Other Names: Old Man Saltbush, Native Saltbush, Bluebush

• Robust Australian native shrub with grey-green, succulent foliage and a spreading habit.
• Extremely hardy species adapted to arid, semi-arid, and saline environments.
• Provides year-round foliage cover, adding structure and interest to landscapes.
• Highly tolerant of drought, salinity, wind, and poor soils.
• Valuable groundcover for erosion control, soil stabilisation, and livestock fodder production.
• Edible leaves traditionally used as bushfood and forage.
• Excellent habitat and shelter for native birds, insects, and small wildlife.

Plant Details

• Plant Type: Low-growing to medium native shrub / groundcover
• Plant Height: 1–3 m tall; spreads up to 3–5 m wide

Sowing Information

• Germination: 2–4 weeks (can be variable)
• Pre-treatment: Scarify or soak seeds in hot water to improve germination
• Depth: Surface sow to 5 mm deep
• Position: Full sun to light shade
• Sow Where: Seed trays, tubes, or direct sow in prepared sites
• Soil Type: Free-draining soils; tolerates sandy, saline, alkaline, and poor soils
• Spacing: 1–2 m between plants

Growing Tips

• Use a well-drained, low-nutrient mix; avoid rich fertilisers.
• Keep soil lightly moist during establishment, then reduce watering.
• Highly drought- and salt-tolerant once established; suited to low-maintenance plantings.
• Light pruning encourages denser growth and promotes better forage quality.

Flowering & Fruiting

Small, inconspicuous flowers are followed by seeds contained in woody fruiting structures, providing food for wildlife and forage for livestock.

Traditional & Practical Uses

• Leaves and foliage traditionally consumed by Indigenous Australians and used as livestock fodder.
• Widely planted for erosion control, roadside revegetation, saline soil rehabilitation, and arid-zone landscaping.

When to Sow Old Man Saltbush in Your Climate