How much sun does Fat-hen need?

Fat-hen grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Fat-hen bloom?

Fat-hen blooms in June, July, August, and September.

Where is Fat-hen native?

Fat-hen (Atriplex prostrata) is native to DE, MD, MI, NC and 6 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

Is Fat-hen HOA-friendly?

Fat-hen takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Fat-hen

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Atriplex prostrata

Last reviewed: September 2026

Toxicity unknown

Fat-hen (Atriplex prostrata) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

12"–36" H × 12"–24" W

Bloom

Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep

Native to

DE, MD, MI, NC and 6 more states

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Puget Lowland Marine West Coast Forest Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Northwestern Forested Mountains North American Deserts Central Basin and Range Mojave Basin and Range Sonoran Basin and Range Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

Fat-hen is a low-growing annual herb with triangular, succulent-like leaves that form spreading mats. It produces small, inconspicuous greenish flowers from summer through early fall. This salt-tolerant plant is often found growing wild in disturbed soils and along roadsides.

In an HOA neighborhood

Fat-hen takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Appears weedy and unkempt
Self-seeds aggressively
Often considered a weed rather than ornamental plant

Wildlife value

This plant provides seeds for birds and small mammals in late summer and fall. The foliage may support some native moth caterpillars, though it's not a major pollinator plant.

Common questions

How much sun does Fat-hen need?: Fat-hen grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Fat-hen bloom?: Fat-hen blooms in June, July, August, and September.
Where is Fat-hen native?: Fat-hen (Atriplex prostrata) is native to DE, MD, MI, NC and 6 more states, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
Is Fat-hen HOA-friendly?: Fat-hen takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

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