Consulta Plantas

Care of the shrub Dasylirion serratifolium or Desert Spoon

The genus Dasylirion, family Asparagaceae, includes 20 species of palm-like perennials native to Mexico and the southwestern United States. Some species are: Dasylirion serratifolium, Dasylirion parryanum, Dasylirion longissimum, Dasylirion glaucophyllum, Dasylirion acrotrichum, Dasylirion texanum.

Common names: Desert Spoon, Sandpaper sotol. This species is native to Hidalgo and Oaxaca, Mexico.

They are perennial plants with a rounded crown and thick stem, sometimes branching from the base, reaching 2 meters (6.56 feet) in height. They have long bluish-green leaves (up to 1 meter/3.28 feet in length) with irregular spines on the margin and a tuft of white fibers at the tip. The small, cream-colored flowers appear in long panicles (up to 4 meters/13.12 feet high) above the leaves. They bloom in early summer.

They are slow-growing plants ideal for Mediterranean or dry subtropical gardens as isolated specimens or in groups of 3-4 specimens. They are also used in large pots especially in cold and humid climates to be able to protect them in winter.

Dasylirion serratifolium needs full sun exposure and a hot, dry climate. In winter the temperature should not be lower than 5 ºC (41 ºF).

They can live in dry and stony soils but they appreciate that the soil is a mixture, in equal parts, of garden substrate, humus and coarse sand.

These plants are very resistant to drought; water moderately always waiting for the soil to dry out. In winter it is better not to water.

They do not need fertilizers or pruning.

They are plants very resistant to pests and diseases but are sensitive to excess humidity.

They propagate by seeds sown in spring but it's a very slow process; It's advisable to buy new plants from nurseries or garden centers.

Images of the shrub Dasylirion serratifolium or Desert Spoon