Also known as Beargrass · 69 gardener saves
Nolina: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Nolina, the genus most gardeners know as beargrass. We track 15 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Nolina varieties
Of 15 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedSacahuista Beargrass
Nolina microcarpa
#2 most savedNelson's Beargrass
Nolina nelsonii
#3 most savedTufted Beargrass
Nolina cespitifera
Georgia Beargrass
Nolina georgiana
Mexican Beargrass
Nolina hibernica 'La Pe'
Mexican Grass Tree
Nolina longifolia
Foothill Beargrass
Nolina erumpens
Sand Sacahuista
Nolina arenicola
Durango Nolina
Nolina durangoensis
Parry's Nolina
Nolina parryi
Texas Nolina
Nolina texana
Devil's Shoestring
Nolina lindheimeriana
Browse all 15 Nolina varieties →
How to grow Nolina
What the Nolina varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 15 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Nolina year
- PlantMarch, April, September and October73% of varieties
Plant in well-draining soil in spring or early fall.
- PruneFebruary and March73% of varieties
Use caution; remove only dead or damaged leaves near the base.
- Spring CleanupFebruary and March53% of varieties
Remove old flower stalks and any dead leaf tips from the clump.
- MulchMarch33% of varieties
Apply a light layer of gravel or inorganic mulch to retain drainage.
Do
- Water deeply but infrequently 🌱
- Prune dead leaves to maintain shape
- Prune dead or damaged leaves as needed
- Use cactus or succulent fertilizer monthly during growing season
- Mulch to conserve moisture
Avoid
- Overwater, which can cause root rot ❌
- Overwater in winter ❌
- Expose to excessive shade
- Overwater during winter ❌
What goes wrong with Nolina
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Mealybugs | White cottony masses on leaves | Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Scale insects | Small bumps on leaf surfaces | Use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap |
| Root rot | Wilting and browning at base | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
Making more Nolina
Division
- Dig up mature clump in early spring
- Separate offsets with a sharp knife
- Plant divisions in well-draining soil
- Water lightly after planting
- Allow 6 weeks to establish
Seed
- Tuck seeds into well-draining soil in spring
- Keep soil moist for 2 weeks
- Transplant seedlings after 6 weeks
Nolina questions
How many types of Nolina are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 15 distinct Nolina varieties. The most popular — ranked by 69 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Nolina grow in?
Across its varieties, Nolina 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 Nolina bloom?
Most Nolina varieties bloom in late spring to early summer, late spring, late summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Nolina 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.
Keep exploring
Design with Nolina in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
