Dasylirion

( das - uh - LEER - ee - un )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of succulent, rosette-forming plants includes species that are native to mountainous, arid regions of Mexico and the Southwestern United States. Plants are commonly called Desert Spoon or Sotol (referencing a distilled spirit made from certain species in the genus). Use these evergreens to add architectural interest to the landscape, as specimens, in rock gardens, xeriscapes, or Mediterranean gardens. Take care when planting these trees in the landscape or working with them, as their leaves have sharp, serrated edges that can cut skin and clothing. They should be planted away from foot traffic.

Dasylirion Species and Varietals

The genus Dasylirion is a member of the plant family Asparagaceae and includes between 23 accepted species. The genus name is derived from the Greek words dasy (meaning thick, dense, or shaggy) and lirion (meaning lily). They grow well in USDA hardiness zones 7-11, though this varies somewhat by species. See descriptions below for more information. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Dasylirion atrotrichum (Great Desert Spoon, Green Sotol, Spoon Yucca)
This species is native to the Chihuahuan Desert, Mexico, and is hardy to 20 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA hardiness zones 8a-10b). Leaves are firm, narrow, and bladed, appearing almost grasslike. Foliage is blue-green and up to 40 inches long. The plant forms a rosette atop a trunk, and can reach up to 6 feet tall when mature. Flowers bloom in the middle of summertime and are white, held on a 15-foot tall spike.

Dasylition leiophyllum (Green Sotol, Smooth-Leaf Sotol, Smooth Sotol)
This species is native to northern Mexico as well as Texas and New Mexico in the United States. It forms a succulent shrub with a trunk and produces white flowers on an impressive spike in summertime. These plants can survive burning, reemerging from buds at leaf bases.

Dasylirion longissimum (Mexican Grass Tree)
This species is best suited for USDA hardiness zones 7-11 and is native to the Chihuahuan Desert and xeric habitats in northern Mexico. It is evergreen, and forms a trunk, reaching up to 4-6 (or 12) feet tall when mature. They reach about 8 feet wide. Long, bladed green leaves are up to 4 feet long. Hardy to 15 degrees Fahrenheit.

Dasylirion texanum (Texas Sotol, Sotol)
Native to Texas (United States) and northern Mexico, this species is one of the smallest in the genus. Crows and trunks generally reach between 3 and 6 feet tall when mature. Leaves are long and green. These plants are often mistaken for Yuccas. Flowers are creamy white, and form on a tall spike up to 9-15 feet tall in spring or summertime.

Caring for Dasylirion

Dasylirion, or Desert Spoon, does well in full sun. Ideally, they should be getting between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day for the best growth rate and overall plant health. Space plants between 4 and 10 feet apart for best coverage and airflow. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients and humus, and has a pH of between 6.0 and 8.0 (slightly acidic to slightly alkaline). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these plants are considered very drought-tolerant, able to get by on rainwater alone for most of the year with supplemental waterings during extended periods of drought. Water every 2-4 weeks during dry periods.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season. Spent leaves can be removed as they appear to neaten up the appearance of the trunk. Pruning needs to be done with sharp, strong tools and it is recommended that gardeners wear protective gloves, as leaves have sharp, serrated edges. Dasylirion plants are considered long-lived perennials, reaching their full mature size in 10-15 years and able to survive in the landscape for 30-50 years or more before needing to be replaced.

Propagation

There are two main ways to propagate Dasylirion plants: by offset and by seed. The easiest way is through offset, or volunteer plants, because it requires the least amount of disruption to the parent plant and ensures that you will get an exact clone, which is something not guaranteed by the seed propagation method. Peruse the propagation methods for Dasylirion below:

Propagating Dasylirion by Division
The easiest way to propagate these trees is by identifying and removing offsets and replanting them. To propagate your Dasylirion by offset, you'll need a clean trowel and a pot filled with soil half amended with gritty sand (or filled with cactus/succulent mix). Once you've gathered your materials, follow these steps:

Loosen the soil around the bottom of your plant where the offset has formed and locate its connection to the parent plant. Cut it from the parent plant with a sharp, clean trowel or knife. Take care to not damage the offset or the parent plant during this process.
Then, place the offset in a shaded, dry area that receives good ventilation for a few days until it forms a callous where it was cut from the parent plant.
Plant your offset in a pot filled with potting mix and lightly moisten the soil, ensuring that adequate drainage is occurring. Place the container in an area that receives bright light and stays relatively warm.
Water every time the top inch or two of soil dry out, but don't saturate the soil. After a few weeks of this watering schedule, the offset should be ready to be planted outside in its permanent home. Then, follow the instructions in the care section to grow your pup into an adult plant.

Propagating Dasylirion by Seed

Gather your materials and fill your pot with potting mix amended with plenty of sand and perlite (to increase drainage). Place the seeds on top of the soil about a centimeter apart, and cover them with a layer of coarse sand.
Water the seeds, being careful to not disturb their placement under the sand. Keep the seeds moist but not wet as they germinate, which should happen in 1 to 3 months' time. The pot or tray should be in an area that receives bright indirect light. It is important to attempt to germinate more than a few seeds, as it is likely that not all seeds will germinate successfully. After most of the seeds have germinated, increase ventilation and provide the seedlings with good light, but not direct sunlight. About five weeks after germination, cut watering to about once a week, allowing the soil to dry out in between waterings. Do not provide water if the soil is still moist.
Harden off seedlings by placing them outdoors for increasing amounts of time over a few weeks so that they do not experience transplant shock when they are planted in their forever home outdoors. Once established in the landscape, return to regular care guidelines above.