Also known as Sotol · 88 saves
Dasylirion
Dasylirion, the genus most gardeners know as sotol. We track 10 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 10 most-saved Dasylirion varieties
Track your Dasylirion in Sow
Save the Dasylirion you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Dasylirion
Whats common across all Dasylirion varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 10 most-grown of them.
The Dasylirion year
- PruneFebruary and March100% of varieties
Cut back the tall, spent flower stalk after it dries completely.
- PlantMarch, April, May and September90% of varieties
Plant in spring in extremely well-draining soil.
- Winter PrepOctober and November60% of varieties
Ensure excellent drainage to prevent crown rot from winter wetness.
- Spring CleanupFebruary and March30% of varieties
Remove old, dead foliage from the base of the rosette.
- MulchMarch30% of varieties
Apply gravel or inorganic mulch, keeping it away from the plant crown.
- FertilizeMarch30% of varieties
Only fertilize lightly in spring if growth is extremely slow.
Do
- Provide full sun for best color and growth
- Water deeply but infrequently 🌱
- Remove dead or damaged leaves as needed
- Provide full sun for healthy growth
- Use well-draining soil to prevent root rot
Avoid
- Expose to excessive shade ❌
- Overwater during winter ❌
- Plant in heavy clay soil without amendments ❌
- Overwater or keep in standing water ❌
What goes wrong with Dasylirion
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Mealybugs | White, cottony masses on leaves and stems | Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| Scale insects | Sticky residue and yellowing leaves | Use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap |
| Root rot | Wilting and blackened roots | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
Making more Dasylirion
Seeds
- Sow seeds on moist soil surface
- Cover lightly with sand
- Keep soil warm and moist
- Germination occurs in 2-4 weeks
- Transplant seedlings after 1 year
Offsets
- Gently remove offsets from parent plant
- Allow cuts to callus for 2-3 days
- Plant in well-draining soil
- Water lightly after planting
- Keep in full sun for best growth
- Wait 6 weeks for roots to establish
Dasylirion questions
How many types of Dasylirion are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 10 distinct Dasylirion varieties. The most popular — ranked by 88 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Dasylirion grow in?
Across its varieties, Dasylirion covers USDA Zones 5–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Dasylirion bloom?
Most Dasylirion varieties bloom in late summer, late spring to mid-summer, summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Dasylirion should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.