AZ Arboretums

Dasylirion longissimum

Mexican grass tree

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).

oothless 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.