Photo: Stan ShebsCC BY-SA 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Hymenoclea salsola Plant Care
Ambrosia salsola (Torr. & A.Gray) Strother & B.G.Baldwin
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant's distinctive feature is its grey-green, finely divided leaves that give it a feathery appearance. Originally from North America, Ambrosia salsola is sought after by plant collectors for its unique foliage and its ability to attract butterflies and other pollinators to the garden.
Every 3–5 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Hymenoclea salsola?
Water Hymenoclea salsola every 3–5 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Hymenoclea salsola Native To?
What Is the Hymenoclea salsola?
Hymenoclea salsola (Ambrosia salsola) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Ambrosia genus. Hymenoclea salsola is native to deserts of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
Hymenoclea salsola displays a spreading herbaceous perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Hymenoclea salsola produces small green flowers in inconspicuous clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Hymenoclea salsola?
Ambrosia salsola requires watering every 3–5 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 3–5 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Hymenoclea salsola Need?
Hymenoclea salsola thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Hymenoclea salsola Prefer?
Ambrosia salsola grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Hymenoclea salsola prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Hymenoclea salsola?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Hymenoclea salsola to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Hymenoclea salsola?
Feed Hymenoclea salsola every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Hymenoclea salsola?
Repot every 1-2 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Hymenoclea salsola?
Hymenoclea salsola can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to common ragweed plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Hymenoclea salsola Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Toxic to humans and pets if ingested
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Hymenoclea salsola?
Hymenoclea salsola is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Hymenoclea salsola Need?
Hymenoclea salsola grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Hymenoclea salsola is native to deserts of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 8a – 11b
Keep exploring plants
Hymenoclea salsola is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Ambrosia genus — compare its care with other Ambrosia species on PlantoScan.
Ambrosia is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Hymenoclea salsola thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Ambrosia Species
Other Ambrosia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Ambrosia salsola (Torr. & A.Gray) Strother & B.G.Baldwin, family Asteraceae (first published in Madroño 49(3): 143. 2002) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Hymenoclea salsola is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Stan Shebs, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 8a – 11b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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