Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants
Back to search results
Shrubs

Dasylirion serratifolium

sandpaper sotol

A shrub up to 1.5m high with a very short stem topped by narrow blue-green leaves, about 1m long and 1.5-3cm wide, which have tufted ends and sharply serrated edges, and white flowers in summer, followed by small rounded winged fruits

<>
© RHS / Janet Cubey
© RHS / Janet Cubey
© RHS / Janet Cubey
© RHS / Janet Cubey
© RHS / Janet Cubey
prev
next
Save to My plants
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
5–10 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green Blue
Summer White Green Blue
Autumn Green Blue
Winter Green Blue
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Drought resistance
Yes
Hardiness
H2
Botanical details
Family
Asparagaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Tufted
Genus

Dasylirion are dioecious evergreen shrubs or trees with thick stems bearing terminal rosettes of narrow, spiny-edged leaves; tiny star-shaped flowers are borne in long panicles in summer, on mature plants

Name status

Correct

Plant range
Mexico

Advertise here

How to grow

Cultivation

In frost-prone areas, grow in full light in a greenhouse or conservatory with low humidity in a mix of 2:2:1:1 loam:sand:leaf mould:peat-free compost, water freely and fertilize once a month from early spring to autumn, move plants in pots outside during the summer, and water sparingly in winter; in frost-free areas, grow in a hot, sheltered site in full sun in dry, well-drained soil

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown at 21°C in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Architectural
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • Sub-tropical
  • Wall side borders
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects

Diseases

Generally disease-free

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.