Athel tamarisk Tamarix aphylla
Athel tamarisk (Tamarix aphylla) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Tamaricaceae family, native to North Africa to Western and South Asia. It grows 6–15 m (20–49 ft) tall and 6–10 m (20–33 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -7 °C (19 °F). Space plants about 6 m (20 ft) apart.
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Athel tamarisk at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Tamaricaceae |
| Mature height | 6–15 m (20–49 ft) |
| Mature spread | 6–10 m (20–33 ft) |
| Spacing | 6 m (20 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 8 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 6.5–9 |
| Cold hardiness | About -7 °C (19 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 50 °C (122 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 6–10 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | High |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | North Africa to Western and South Asia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇪🇬 Egypt, 🇮🇱 Israel, 🇮🇷 Iran, 🇲🇦 Morocco |
| Invasive in | Australia (declared Weed of National Significance), south-west United States: check local rules before planting |
Is Athel tamarisk toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Athel tamarisk
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Athel tamarisk
- How far apart should I plant Athel tamarisk?
- About 6 m (20 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 6–10 m (20–33 ft).
- Does Athel tamarisk need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 8 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Athel tamarisk need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Athel tamarisk?
- It tolerates about -7 °C (19 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Athel tamarisk flower?
- From about June for 6–10 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Athel tamarisk poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Athel tamarisk?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Athel tamarisk. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- CABI Invasive Species Compendium, CABI
- Flora of Israel Online, Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Notes and assumptions
- Salt-excreting windbreak tree of deserts; leafless-looking jointed green twigs. Invasive along desert rivers in Australia and the US.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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