Dasylirion longissimum - Sotol

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.