Dasylirion texanum aka Sotol

Dasylirion texanum, or Texas sotol, is in the asparagus family. This small, woody shrub lives for many years. It grows in western and south-central Texas and northeastern Mexico. Its range takes in Coahuila, a state in Mexico. It lives on rocky ground in deserts and dry scrub. Wild plants grow on limestone slopes and dry hills. They also grow at canyon sites and in arroyos, or dry stream beds. Some grow on desert ground with gravel.

Texas sotol forms an even rosette, a ring of leaves. The leaves are bright green. In gardens, it reaches about 4 feet [1.2 metres] tall. It spreads to about 6 feet [1.8 metres] wide. Its green leaves differ from those of the bluer common sotol. Sharp teeth line the leaf edges. Spines grow at their tips. Both can hurt your hands when you handle the plant. Wear gloves when you work near the leaves. Growth is slow, most of all in young plants.

Flowers bloom from June to July. They give pollinators food during that time of year. Dense rosettes can shelter small reptiles and animals without backbones. The plant adds a strong shape to dry gardens and planted beds. People use its leaves to make baskets and fans. These uses give it value beyond its flowers. Its form suits native desert gardens and beds that need little added water.

Choose full sun and soil that drains well. Texas sotol copes with heat, drought, and poor soil. It grows best in air with little moisture. Give it little to moderate water. The source lists light shade as an option too. It accepts sand, loam, or clay if the soil drains well. Soil can range from slightly acid to slightly alkaline. PFAF lists USDA hardiness zones 8–10. Grow new plants mainly from seed. Warmth and a seed mix that drains well help seeds sprout.

PFAF lists sap, crown, flowering stalk, and root as edible parts. Taking the crown kills the plant. The flowering stalk gives food without the need to take the crown. In the past, people roasted the hearts and pounded them into paste. They made root washes for wounds and sprains. They also boiled roots to make a hair tonic. These past uses do not prove that the plant has medical benefits. The stated risks are sharp leaves and possible insects in flowers. The evidence gives no firm finding on toxicity. It names no pest or disease problems.