Dasylirion acrotrichum

Synonyms

Dasylirion gracile Planchon
Barbacenia gracile

Cactus Succulent Shrubs

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A succulent, evergreen shrub, forming a sphere of foliage on a stout trunk ultimately to 1.2m tall. The pale green leaves have hooked spines along the margins and are tipped with a tuft of fibres. In summer a very tall, slender flowerspike is produced, densely packed with star-shaped white flowers

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 20–50 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: West–facing or South–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H2
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Asparagaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: 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

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass grow in a mix of 2 parts each loam and sand, and 1 part each leaf mould and peat substitute. provide full light and low humidity. In the growing season, water freely and apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly; keep almost dry at other times. In summer, move containerised specimens outside. Outdoors grow in very sharply draining soil in a very sheltered, sunny spot

Propagation

Propagate by sowing seed at 21°C in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
Sub-tropical
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to mealybugs and scale insects

Diseases

Generally disease-free