This perennial shrub grows to 70 cm in height and diameter, and has brittle woody stems with small greyish succulent leaves. It flowers opportunistically, but mainly during spring and summer. The saltbush is long-lived, between 20-30 years, and is a useful fodder plant especially in times of drought. Saltbush is the most common perennial plant of swale and gibber regions near Roxby Downs.

Distribution of the Bladder saltbush in Australia.