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Annual BiennialCactus Succulent

Salsola soda

agretti

An tender, annual succulent to around 60cm in height, with an unusual candlabra shape of green, needle-like leaves. Grown as a salad crop and used in Italian cooking, it has a similar crunchy texture to samphire, with a flavour akin to spinach Sow in March to April whilst the nights are still cool, using fresh seeds as they don't store well. Harvest from late spring to early autumn

Other common names

barilla plant
European barilla plant
see moremonk's beard
riscolo
roscano

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Plant nurseries
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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

1 year

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Poorly–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Amaranthaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist to moist but well-drained soil in a sunny location. Does not require feeding

Propagation

Propagate by fresh seed under glass after soaking overnight to help soften the outer coating and promote germination. Plant out after 6-8 weeks in free-draining soil. Will tolerate wet but not waterlogged soil. Keep well-watered during dry spells and keep surrounding area weed-free

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants

Pruning

No pruning required, but harvest above the growth points to encourage bushiness

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Generally disease-free

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