Abstract: Atriplex species, such as Atriplex canescens ssp. aptera, A. canescens ssp. canescens var. laciniata and A. canescens, as unique quasi-evergreen shrubs in arid and semi-arid desert area, are of high socio-ecological importance in controlling desertification, improving soil quality in saline land, and supporting local ecological balance. Here we measured salt injury index, salt-tolerant thresholds and physiological characteristics of the first-year seedlings by a salt-stress experiment conducted in pots. In the experiment, the pots were filled with sand and the six salt levels were adjusted to 0, 0.1%, 0.3%, 0.5%, 0.7%, and 1.0% NaCl. The results showed that: 1) Na+ increased and K+ decreased in each part of three Atriplex seedlings under salt stress. Compared with A. canescens ssp. aptera and A. canescens, the relatively lower Na+ and higher K+ contents were retained in each part of A. canescens ssp. canescens var. laciniata, which was conducive to keeping higher K+/Na+ balance. 2) The initial NaCl concentration with salt stress, salt-tolerance threshold and salt concentration limit of A. canescens ssp. canescens var. laciniata were higher than the other two plants. 3) The salt-tolerance thresholds of A. canescens ssp. aptera, A. canescens ssp. canescens var. laciniata and A. canescens were 0.59%, 0.68%, and 0.63%, respectively. 4) With salt stress increasing, MDA content and cytomembrane permeability were consistently increasing. 5) The salt-tolerance thresholds of the three species based on subordinate function comprehensive evaluation were in the order of A. canescens ssp. canescens var. laciniata (0.686)＞A. canescens (0.532)＞A. canescens ssp. aptera (0.102). It is suggested that A. canescens ssp. canescens var. laciniata has a stronger adaptability to saline soil than A. canescens and A. canescens ssp. aptera.