Ruby Saltbush Enchylaena tomentosa Seeds

RUBY SALTBUSH Seeds

Botanical Name: Enchylaena tomentosa
Other Names: Ruby Saltbush, Barrier Saltbush, Bluebush Berry

• Low-growing Australian native shrub with soft grey-green foliage and striking ruby-red edible berries.
• Exceptionally hardy species adapted to arid, semi-arid, and coastal environments.
• Produces attractive berries for much of the year, adding colour and interest to landscapes.
• Highly tolerant of drought, salinity, wind, and poor soils.
• Valuable groundcover for erosion control, soil stabilisation, and revegetation projects.
• Edible berries traditionally used as a bushfood with a mild, salty flavour.
• Excellent habitat plant for native insects, reptiles, and small wildlife.

Plant Details

• Plant Type: Low-growing native shrub / groundcover
• Plant Height: 30–60 cm tall; spreads up to 1–2 m wide

Sowing Information

• Germination: 2–4 weeks (can be variable)
• 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: 60 cm – 1 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-tolerant once established and suited to low-maintenance plantings.
• Light pruning encourages denser growth and berry production.

Flowering & Fruiting

Small, inconspicuous flowers are followed by bright ruby-red berries that appear for much of the year, providing food for wildlife and visual appeal in the garden.

Traditional & Practical Uses

• Edible berries traditionally consumed by Indigenous Australians as a bushfood.
• Used in modern native cuisine as a garnish or fresh snack.
• Widely planted for erosion control, roadside revegetation, and arid-zone landscaping.

When to Sow Ruby Saltbush in Your Climate