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Dasylirion wheeleri (Desert Spoon)

Blue Sotol, Sotol Wheeler, Common Desert Spoon, Saw Yucca, Desert Spoon, Spoon Flower, Common Sotol

AGM Award
Dasylirion wheeleri, Blue Sotol, Sotol Wheeler, Common Desert Spoon, Saw Yucca, Desert Spoon, Spoon Flower, Common Sotol
Dasylirion wheeleri, Blue Sotol, Sotol Wheeler, Common Desert Spoon, Saw Yucca, Desert Spoon, Spoon Flower, Common Sotol

Dasylirion wheeleri (Desert Spoon) is a very ornamental evergreen succulent boasting a perfectly symmetrical rosette packed with hundreds of long, narrow, silvery blue-green leaves tipped with white fibers. The leaves can reach 5 ft. in length (150 cm) and are adorned with golden spines along their margins. The rosette sits on a stout short trunk. In summer, it is topped with a dramatic flowering stalk, up to 15 ft. (450 cm), bearing thousands of tiny flowers. Bees and hummingbirds relish the flowers. Dasylirion wheeleri is dioecious (separate male and female plants). Male flowers are more white colored and female flowers are tinged purple-pink. The flowers are followed by small oval capsules containing a single seed. Slow-growing, carefree, and very drought tolerant, Desert Spoon makes a great specimen plant for xeriscape gardens and blends well in Mediterranean or arid gardens. Position where the sun backlights the striking form and yellow spines.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
  • Adds architectural interest to the garden and slowly grows up to 3-5 ft. tall (90-150 cm) and 4-5 ft. wide (120-150 cm).
  • Easily grown in well-drained soils in full sun. Once planted in the ground, this plant does not need additional water, though the odd deep watering during summer would encourage more rapid growth. Thrive best in full sun, but tolerates some shade and humidity. Drought tolerant.
  • Great for beds and borders, city gardens, coastal gardens, informal gardens, or Mediterranean gardens. Placement in the garden should be carefully considered so as not to catch unwary passers-by with thorns.
  • Virtually pest and disease free, but watch out for scale insects. Deer and rabbit resistant
  • Propagate from seeds.
  • Native to Mexico (Chihuahua and Sonora), southwestern United States (Texas to Arizona)

Requirements

Hardiness 8 - 11
Climate Zones 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Cactus & Succulents
Plant Family Asparagaceae
Genus Dasylirion
Common names Spoon Flower
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 3' - 5'
(90cm - 150cm)
Spread 4' - 5'
(120cm - 150cm)
Spacing 60" (150cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants United States, Southwest, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Bees, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden, City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Dasylirion acrotrichum (Green Desert Spoon)
Dasylirion serratifolium (Desert Spoon)

Recommended Companion Plants

Opuntia santa-rita (Santa Rita Prickly Pear)
Echinocactus grusonii (Golden Barrel Cactus)
Chamaerops humilis (European Fan Palm)
Agave vilmoriniana (Octopus Agave)

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

A Sparkling Water-Wise Border with Desert Spoon, Cactus and Opuntia
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 8 - 11
Climate Zones 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Cactus & Succulents
Plant Family Asparagaceae
Genus Dasylirion
Common names Spoon Flower
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 3' - 5'
(90cm - 150cm)
Spread 4' - 5'
(120cm - 150cm)
Spacing 60" (150cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants United States, Southwest, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Bees, Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden, City and Courtyard, Coastal Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Dasylirion
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Compare Now

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