Saltwort in Zone 4a & 4b

Salsola komarovii

When to plant saltwort in zone 4b

Zones 4a and 4b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.

Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. Saltwort doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.

Start indoorsNot typically started indoors
Direct sow / transplant outsideMay 15–May 22
Estimated harvestJun 29–Jul 6 (~45 days after direct-sowing)

Spacing: 9 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 0.5-1.5 ft.

Saltwort
Photo: Aomorikuma ( あおもりくま ) via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0, cropped.

Saltwort is a Japanese salt-marsh green with a crisp, briny bite similar to samphire, adapted to salty soil but perfectly happy growing in ordinary garden dirt too.

How saltwort fits zone 4's season

Zone 4b's frost-free window runs about 128 days, from May 15 to September 20. Saltwort needs about 45 days from sowing to first harvest.

Good companions

No standout companions recorded yet for Saltwort.

Where to buy saltwort seeds

See why we recommend these suppliers →

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links on this page also go to other retailers we may earn a commission from as an affiliate, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products with a genuine consensus of positive, independent reviews. See the sources cited on each item.

See it growing

Search YouTube for "growing saltwort" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)

← Back to the full zone 4b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →

Growing Saltwort in USDA zone 4b

Pin this for later

Growing Saltwort in USDA zone 4b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.

Save to Pinterest