Water
Water sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Overwatering is the most common cause of root rot. Reduce watering significantly during cooler winter months to prevent waterlogged conditions.
Also known as Brush-Tipped Sotol · Green Desert Spoon · Green Sotol
Great Desert Spoon (Dasylirion acrotrichum) is a striking agave-like succulent native to Mexico, forming a dense rosette of rigid, sword-shaped leaves.
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Full Sun
100% intensity
Prefers full sun for best growth and form. Can tolerate partial shade but may become leggy.
Drought Tolerant
25% intensity
Allow soil to dry out completely between waterings; significantly reduce in winter.
Sandy, Well-draining
50% intensity
Warm to Moderate
75% intensity
Tolerates high temperatures. Protect from prolonged hard freezes; some frost tolerance exists.
Low
25% intensity
Fertilize sparingly during the growing season with a diluted balanced fertilizer.
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | No 0/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | No 0/5 intensity |
| Edible | No |
None
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Water sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Overwatering is the most common cause of root rot. Reduce watering significantly during cooler winter months to prevent waterlogged conditions.
Prune only to remove dead, damaged, or diseased leaves. Use clean, sharp tools to make cuts close to the trunk. Avoid excessive pruning, as this plant grows slowly and maintains a natural architectural form.
Propagation is typically done through seed, which requires stratification and patience. Alternatively, offsets can be carefully removed from mature plants and allowed to callus before planting in well-draining soil.
Repot infrequently, only when the plant becomes root-bound, typically every 2-3 years. Use a gritty, fast-draining potting mix. Ensure the new pot has ample drainage holes to prevent water accumulation.
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Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Great Desert Spoon (Dasylirion acrotrichum)
Where Great Desert Spoon (Dasylirion acrotrichum) is found

Density
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Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Liliopsida |
| Order | Asparagales |
| Family | Asparagaceae |
| Genus | Dasylirion |
| Species | Dasylirion acrotrichum |
Similar in genus Dasylirion
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data