Dasylirion longissimum

Common: Mexican Grass Tree, Grass Tree, Toothless Sotol
Family: Agavaceae
Origin/Range: Eastern Mexico (Coahuila, Tamaulipas, San Luis Potosi)
Light: Full sun to shade
Temp:
Hardy to 20°F (-6°C). Excellent heat tolerance

Water:  Little water when established
Soil:  Needs good drainage

Evergreen trunk forming shrub, slowly up to 12 feet tall (3.6 m), 8 feet in diameter (2.4 m); leaves up to 4 feet long (1.2 m), 0.24 inch across (6 mm).

In summer, the plant generates hundreds of brownish-yellow flowers on a long spike that can reach 15 feet (4.5 m).

Toothless desert spoon Mexican grass tree is a spectacular accent plant that blends well in either tropical or arid gardens. As plants mature, they slowly form a trunk to 10 feet tall, and are crowned with a 6 to 8 foot rosette of narrow green leaves. The flexible, leathery, unarmed leaves measure approximately 1/4" wide by 4 feet long, and are arranged in whorls around the trunk. Older, established plants produce 10 to 12 foot tall flowers stalks annually.

Mexican grass tree makes an excellent container plant.

RETURN TO PLANT LIST

Copyright 2004 AZArboretum.org