Salsola imbricata Plant Care

Salsola imbricata Forssk.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Caroxylon imbricatum, synonym Salsola imbricata, is a small species of shrub in the family Amaranthaceae. It grows in deserts and arid regions of north Africa, the Arabian Peninsula and southwestern Asia.

🌻Annuals
Water

Every 10–14 days

Light

Full sun

Temp

60–85°F

Humidity

30–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Salsola imbricata?

Plant Salsola imbricata in full sun (USDA zones 13a) and water a young shrub every 10–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

What Is the Salsola imbricata?

Salsola imbricata (Salsola imbricata) belongs to the Amaranthaceae family within the Salsola genus.

Salsola imbricata displays a low spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Salsola imbricata produces small inconspicuous flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Salsola imbricata?

Water a young or newly planted Salsola imbricata every 10–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Watering Frequency

Every 10–14 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Salsola imbricata Need?

Salsola imbricata thrives in full sun.

Light Requirement

Full sun

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Salsola imbricata Prefer?

Salsola imbricata tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Salsola imbricata prefers humidity levels of 30–60%.

Temperature

60–85°F

Humidity

30–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Salsola imbricata?

Well-draining sandy soil with low fertility. Good drainage is essential for Salsola imbricata to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Salsola imbricata?

Feed Salsola imbricata every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Where Should You Plant a Salsola imbricata?

Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining sandy soil with low fertility. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Salsola imbricata is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Salsola imbricata?

Salsola imbricata can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 2 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 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 plant spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Salsola imbricata?

Prune Salsola imbricata 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 shrub in one year.

How Do You Care for a Salsola imbricata in Winter?

Salsola imbricata is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). 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 Salsola imbricata?

Salsola imbricata can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to leafless saltwort plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Salsola imbricata Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Salsola imbricata, 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 Salsola imbricata?

Salsola imbricata 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 Salsola imbricata Need?

Salsola imbricata grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Salsola imbricata as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Salsola imbricata 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 Salsola genus — compare its care with other Salsola species on PlantoScan.

Salsola is part of the Amaranthaceae plant family — browse all Amaranthaceae genera and species.

Salsola imbricata thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Salsola Species

Other Salsola species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Salsola imbricata Forssk., family Amaranthaceae (first published in Fl. Aegypt.-Arab. : 57 (1775)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Salsola imbricata, 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 13a, 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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