Common Sotol

(Dasylirion wheeleri)

Common Sotol (Dasylirion wheeleri)

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Estimated Native Range
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Summary

Dasylirion wheeleri, commonly known as Common Sotol, is an evergreen succulent native to arid environments such as desert grasslands and rocky hillsides in the Southwestern USA and northern Mexico. It is a moderate to slow-growing plant with a single unbranched trunk up to 40 cm (16 in) thick and typically grows to 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) tall, though it may also spread recumbently on the ground. The leaves are long, narrow, and toothed, forming a dense rosette that can be quite striking. Flowers emerge on tall spikes, with male plants producing white flowers and female plants producing purple-pink flowers, usually in the late spring to early summer. The fruit is an oval dry capsule containing a single seed. Common Sotol is particularly valued in xeriscaping for its drought tolerance and architectural form.

In cultivation, Common Sotol thrives in full sun and requires very low to low amounts of water, making it an excellent choice for water-wise gardens. It prefers well-drained soils and is tolerant of a range of soil types, from sandy to rocky. While it is hardy to some frost, it does not tolerate extended freezing temperatures and may need protection or indoor cultivation in colder climates. Its striking form and low maintenance requirements make it a popular choice for rock gardens, desert-themed landscapes, and as a focal point in drought-tolerant plantings. It has earned the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit, indicating its value as a garden plant.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Succulent, Shrub
  • Height: 4-5 feet
  • Width: 3-4 feet
  • Growth Rate: Slow
  • Flower Color: White, Yellow
  • Flowering Season: Spring
  • Leaf Retention: Evergreen

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Full Sun
  • Water: Very Low, Low
  • Drainage: Fast, Medium

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Border Plant, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Fire Resistant, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Rock Garden, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers, Street Planting

Natural Habitat

Arid environments such as desert grasslands and rocky hillsides in the Southwestern USA and northern Mexico

Other Names

Common Names: Spoon Flower, Desert Spoon

Scientific Names: , Dasylirion wheeleri, Dasylirion wheeleri var. wislizeni, Dasylirion wheeleri var. wheeleri,

GBIF Accepted Name: Dasylirion wheeleri S.Watson ex Rothr.