Persian Saxaul Plant Care
Haloxylon persicum Bunge
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Haloxylon persicum, the white saxaul, is a small tree belonging to the family Amaranthaceae. Its range is Western Asia, including the Palestine region, Egypt, Sinai, Israel, South Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Oman, UAE, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Central Asia, and China.
Every 14–21 days
Full sun
50–95°F
10–40%
At a glance
How do you care for Persian Saxaul?
Plant Persian Saxaul in full sun (USDA zones 12a) and water a young tree every 14–21 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–95°F (10–35°C).
What Is the Persian Saxaul?
Persian Saxaul (Haloxylon persicum) belongs to the Amaranthaceae family within the Haloxylon genus. Persian Saxaul is also known as Saxaul.
Persian Saxaul displays a drought-tolerant shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Persian Saxaul produces small, inconspicuous flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Persian Saxaul?
Water a young or newly planted Persian Saxaul every 14–21 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.
Watering Frequency
Every 14–21 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Persian Saxaul Need?
Persian Saxaul thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Persian Saxaul Prefer?
Haloxylon persicum tolerates temperatures of 50–95°F. Persian Saxaul prefers humidity levels of 10–40%.
Temperature
50–95°F
Humidity
10–40%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Persian Saxaul?
Sandy, well-draining soil with low fertility and high salinity tolerance. Good drainage is essential for Persian Saxaul to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
Where Should You Plant a Persian Saxaul?
Choose a spot with full sun and sandy, well-draining soil with low fertility and high salinity tolerance. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Persian Saxaul is suited to USDA Zone 12a.
Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Persian Saxaul?
Persian Saxaul can spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 4 ft (1.2 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.
Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.
How Do You Prune a Persian Saxaul?
Prune Persian Saxaul while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.
If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.
How Do You Care for a Persian Saxaul in Winter?
Persian Saxaul is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.
How Do You Propagate a Persian Saxaul?
Persian Saxaul can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to saxaul plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Persian Saxaul Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Persian Saxaul, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
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 Persian Saxaul?
Persian Saxaul is susceptible to aphids, spider mites. 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 Persian Saxaul Need?
Persian Saxaul grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Persian Saxaul as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Persian Saxaul 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 Haloxylon genus — compare its care with other Haloxylon species on PlantoScan.
Haloxylon is part of the Amaranthaceae plant family — browse all Amaranthaceae genera and species.
Persian Saxaul thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Haloxylon persicum Bunge, family Amaranthaceae (first published in Nouv. Mém. Soc. Imp. Naturalistes Moscou 12: 189 (1860)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Persian Saxaul, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- 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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