About
A succulent, evergreen shrub, forming a sphere of foliage on a stout trunk ultimately to 1.2m tall. The pale green leaves are narrow and linear and fan out from the centre of the rosette. In summer a very tall, slender flowerspike is produced, closely arranged with bell-shaped, greenish-white flowers. Borderline hardy in sharply-draining soil in a sheltered, sunny position.
About the genus
Dasylirion are dioecious evergreen shrubs or trees with thick stems bearing terminal rosettes of narrow, spiny-edged leaves; tiny star-shaped flowers are borne in long panicles in summer, on mature plants
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeLoam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH2
Plant details
Plant typeCactus Succulent, Shrubs
HabitTufted
FoliageEvergreen
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread1-1.5 metres
Time to full height20-50 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants, Sub-tropical
Native toMexico
Care notes
CultivationUnder glass grow in a mix of 2 parts each loam and sand, and 1 part each leaf mould and peat substitute. provide full light and low humidity. In the growing season, water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly; keep almost dry at other times. In summer, move containerised specimens outside. Outdoors grow in very sharply draining soil in a very sheltered, sunny spot
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by sowing seed at 21°C in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to mealybugs and scale insects
Disease resistanceGenerally disease-free