Enchylaena tomentosa – Ruby Saltbush
A hardy Australian native with colourful berries and wildlife appeal.
Bring colour, texture and biodiversity to your garden with Enchylaena tomentosa, commonly known as Ruby Saltbush. This adaptable Australian native is a low-growing, spreading shrub with attractive silver-grey to blue-green succulent foliage and small, jewel-like berries that mature from green to yellow, orange and vibrant red.
Naturally suited to challenging conditions, Ruby Saltbush is drought tolerant once established and grows in a range of well-drained soils. Its spreading habit makes it a versatile choice for native gardens, coastal landscapes, rockeries, containers and habitat plantings.
Why you'll love Ruby Saltbush
Colourful berries: Small, fleshy fruits ripen through shades of green, yellow, orange and red.
Attractive foliage: Soft-looking, silver-grey to blue-green succulent leaves provide year-round texture.
Drought tolerant: Well suited to water-wise gardens once established.
Coastal hardy: Tolerates some salt exposure and challenging growing conditions.
Wildlife friendly: Berries provide food for birds and other native wildlife.
Low-growing habit: Ideal for groundcover, borders, rockeries and spreading native garden designs.
Adaptable and resilient: Grows in a variety of well-drained soil types, including sandy and moderately saline soils.
Plant care guide
Botanical name: Enchylaena tomentosa
Common name: Ruby Saltbush, Barrier Saltbush
Height: 0.3–1 metre
Width: 0.5–2 metres
Flower colour: Small, inconspicuous flowers, generally pale or greenish
Flowering time: Can flower across several seasons, depending on local conditions
Fruit colour: Green, yellow, orange and red as berries mature
Light: Full sun to part shade
Soil type: Sandy, loamy or other well-drained soils
Soil pH: Adaptable to acidic, neutral and alkaline soils
Climate: Temperate, warm temperate, semi-arid and arid regions
Growth habit: Evergreen, spreading, low-growing shrub
Water requirements: Low once established
Hardiness: Drought tolerant and tolerant of moderate frost
Salt tolerance: Tolerates some soil salinity and coastal exposure
Garden uses: Groundcover, borders, rockeries, containers, coastal gardens and habitat plantings
Wildlife attraction: Birds and other native animals
Special uses: Water-wise landscaping, erosion control and habitat creation
Growing tips
For the best results, plant Ruby Saltbush in a sunny position with well-drained soil. It can tolerate a range of soil conditions but does not appreciate prolonged waterlogging.
Water regularly while the plant establishes, then reduce supplementary watering as it becomes established. Avoid keeping the roots persistently wet, particularly in containers.
Light pruning can help maintain a compact shape and encourage denser growth. Allow sufficient room for the plant's spreading habit when choosing its position in the garden.
An Australian native with more to offer:
Ruby Saltbush is a wonderful choice for gardeners looking to create resilient, water-wise outdoor spaces that support native wildlife. Its understated foliage, colourful berries and adaptable growth habit make it a valuable addition to diverse Australian gardens.
Grow with nature. Grow with Talulah.
