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Dasylirion longissimum - Sotol

Dasylirion longissimum
Mexican Grass Tree

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very pleased with my order, ultra-fast delivery. The young plant is superb, I have just planted it, it looks magnificent.

Veronique, 28/10/2022

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This plant carries a 24 months recovery warranty

More information

A woody plant that reaches a height of 2 m (6 ft 7 in), with a short trunk topped by a rosette of long linear leaves, flexible and radiating, forming a sphere-like shape. Already spectacular in its early years, the plant reaches its full potential when it flowers, after 10 to 15 years: from the centre of the rosette emerges a thin flower stalk, adorned with small yellow flowers. The Dasylirion longissimum is perfectly adapted to warmer climate, dry and hot, but its growth will be faster if the soil remains moist in summer. Its cold resistance is excellent in dry soil, at least -18°C (-0.4 °F). However it will not tolerate a wet soil in winter as soon as the temperature reaches the threshold of -8/-10°C (17.6/14 °F).
Flower size
1 cm
Height at maturity
1.70 m
Spread at maturity
1.20 m
Exposure
Sun
Hardiness
Hardy down to -15°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil
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Best planting time March to April, September
Recommended planting time March to May, September to October
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Flowering time June to August
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Description

The Dasylirion longissimum is an evergreen tree-like plant related to yuccas and agaves. Its remarkably architectural silhouette creates impact in a mineral, dry garden, or even a terrace or patio when placed in a pot. This fascinating plant creature carries a multitude of long, flexible leaves at the top of a short trunk (stipe), reminiscent of reeds, radiating from the centre of the rosette, which eventually forms a large sphere with a diameter of 1.20m (3 ft 11 in). Mature specimens bloom spectacularly, in the form of a huge flower spike that can exceed 4m (13 ft 1 in) in height. It is an easy plant to grow in arid, poor, even limestone soil. Its hardiness depends primarily on soil drainage.

 

Originating from rocky hills and mountainous areas in northern Mexico, Arizona, and Texas, the Dasylirion longissimum is capable of withstanding temperatures around -8°/-10C in well-drained soil in gardens subjected to winter rains, and tolerates long periods of summer drought. It is a rhizomatous plant belonging to the agave family, slow-growing in dry soil but faster in moist soil. When young, the Dasylirion forms a dense, shaggy ball. After many years, it can develop a trunk 1m (3 ft 4 in) to 1.50m (4 ft 11 in) in height, covered with remnants of old leaves, which are brown in colour. It often ends up lying down without stopping its growth. The trunk carries a large spherical crown, 1m (3 ft 4 in) to 1.50m (4 ft 11 in) wide, composed of several hundred thin, flexible, spineless, dark green leaves. Flowering occurs after 10 to 15 years of cultivation, in summer. A slender, erect flower spike emerges from the centre of the rosette, among the leaves. The small yellowish flowers are tightly packed along the spike and remain on the plant for a long time, often until winter. Male plants are distinct from female plants. When watered during the summer, this Dasylirion shows spectacular growth. Careful consideration should be given to the placement of this plant, as its fragile root system does not tolerate disturbance and transplanting very well.

 

The Dasylirion longissimum requires plenty of sunlight and a very well-drained, even poor and dry soil. It particularly fears heavy, waterlogged soils in winter. Perfect on a large, arid slope, at the top of a large exotic or contemporary rockery, or even by a swimming pool if the soil is prepared to accommodate it. This large plant looks magnificent when accompanied by Cerastostigma plumbaginoides, Delosperma, or even a dry grass meadow called Zoyzia tenuifolia, the Mascarene grass. It can also be planted with agaves, prickly pears, fairly hardy candle cacti (Cleistocactus strausii, Cylindropuntia imbricata), and equally spectacular and frugal shrubby aloes. It is well-suited for container cultivation, which provides protection from cold and humidity in winter.

Dasylirion longissimum - Sotol in pictures

Dasylirion longissimum - Sotol (Foliage) Foliage
Dasylirion longissimum - Sotol (Plant habit) Plant habit

Plant habit

Height at maturity 1.70 m
Spread at maturity 1.20 m
Habit stalk
Growth rate slow

Flowering

Flower colour white
Flowering time June to August
Inflorescence Spike
Flower size 1 cm

Foliage

Foliage persistence Evergreen
Foliage colour dark green

Botanical data

Genus

Dasylirion

Species

longissimum

Family

Agavaceae (Asparagaceae)

Other common names

Mexican Grass Tree

Origin

North America

Product reference83291111

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Planting and care

To successfully plant Dasylirion longissimum, choose a sunny and sheltered spot, mainly if your garden is in a borderline hardiness zone. Plant in the spring and ensure the soil is well-drained and moisture-free, with a preference for rocky, sandy, or dry soil. Established specimens can withstand brief frosts around -12/-15°C (10.4/5°F). Protect young plants from winter rain as they are more delicate.

Dasylirion growth is slow but can be boosted by generous watering and fertile soil. Autumn planting is preferred for mild climates, especially in hot and dry summers. When transplanting, remove the root ball carefully without damaging it to avoid harming the plant. Dasylirion is not tolerant of heavy, moist soils, particularly when combined with cold weather. Placing the plant in a large rock garden, on a slope, a raised bed with enriched gravel soil, or a rocky embankment is best. The soil pH should be slightly acidic, sandy, rocky, or chalky. The plant can tolerate poor soil, but growth is faster in fertile soil.

Monitor watering for the first two years, particularly during hot and dry periods. Faded stems should be removed for a healthy plant. Plant Dasylirion acrotrichum in spring in a very sunny and sheltered position if your garden is in a borderline hardiness zone. A well-established specimen will withstand brief frosts of around -12/-15°C (10.4/5 °F) in perfectly drained soil, even very dry, rocky or sandy. Protect young plants from winter rain, as they are more fragile than well-established specimens. Its growth is relatively slow, boosted by generous but spaced waterings in summer and fertile soil. In mild climates, prefer autumn planting, especially in hot and dry summers. Transplanting requires some precautions: remove the root ball without damaging it, taking care of the roots, at the risk of condemning the plant! This species dreads heavy and moist soils, especially when combined with cold. Ideally, position the plant in a large rock garden, on a slope, raised bed with enriched gravel soil, or on a rocky embankment.
On the other hand, it is not very demanding on soil pH, which can be slightly acidic, sandy, rocky, or even chalk. Dasylirion tolerates poor soil, but its growth will be somewhat faster in slightly fertile soil. Monitor watering during the first 2 years, especially in hot and dry periods. Remove faded stems.

Your Dasylirion is superb, but it doesn't flower? Probably because it is too young, or has only been in your garden for 3 or 4 years. Indeed, it seems that this plant takes time to establish itself and only flowers after 10 to 15 years, mainly in warm areas. Then, depending on the sunlight and climate, it will flower every year, or every two or three years. If the plant benefits from automated drip irrigation in summer, its growth will be boosted and 5-year-old rosettes will be able to flower!

Division:

By sowing in spring.

Planting period

Best planting time March to April, September
Recommended planting time March to May, September to October

Intended location

Suitable for Meadow, Rockery
Type of use Container, Slope, Greenhouse
Hardiness Hardy down to -15°C (USDA zone 7b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 1 per m2
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Any
Soil type Chalky (poor, alkaline and well-drained), Silty-loamy (rich and light), Stony (poor and well-drained)
Soil moisture Dry soil, Well-drained soil

Care

Pruning instructions Remove faded stems.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time August
Soil moisture Dry soil
Disease resistance Very good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground
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