Sotol (*Dasylirion wheeleri*) is a plant that belongs to the Asparagaceae family. Made up of 18 semi-succulent species, sotols are a relatively small genus native to the Chihuahuan Desert in Mexico. It flourishes in dry weather and rocky conditions. While its roots may be in Mexico, sotol can also be found in west Texas, New Mexico’s Rio Grande and Pecos Valley, and even in parts of Arizona.

Although not an agave, this moderate growing perennial shrub has been associated with them, as well as similar plants like yuccas. Sotol is known for its long, grayish-green leaves with fuzzy ends, as well as the large rosette from where these leaves grow. Due to the inward shape of the leaf base, the sotol plant's common names include the desert spoon, common sotol, and dessert candle.

Although covered in greenish-white flowers with spiky leaves, it takes roughly seven to 10 years before the sotol will produce flowers, which are especially enticing to hummingbirds. These shrubs have pole-like flower stalks that can reach up to 20 feet in height and 6 feet in width.
While the sotol plant may call arid lands home, you can grow them in other regions as well.

- __Choose a well-draining spot outside__. Although one can try to grow a sotol plant inside, it isn’t likely to succeed as well as it will outside. A hillside or plateau where there’s adequate drainage, or in a dry bed or <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/rock-garden-ideas-and-design-guide' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/rock-garden-ideas-and-design-guide","linkCopy":"rock garden","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>rock garden</a>, is an ideal location for sotol. The semi-succulent will thrive where other plants struggle to grow.
- __Keep sotol away from human traffic__. The sotol plant has sharp spines, known as teeth, that can prick someone easily. It’s best to plant your sotol in a place where people and pets are less likely to walk past it.
- __Pot sotol if you live outside hardiness zones__. If you don’t live in the optimal conditions for sotol plants, you can grow them in containers. Choose a pot that is large enough for the root system to grow, then place the entire pot in the ground when planting it. Make sure the pot is made of material that promotes proper drainage.
Sotols are low-maintenance plants that are accustomed to hot and arid environments. As such, keeping sotol plants alive and thriving takes little work.

- __Sunlight__: Although it can handle partial shade, sotols thrive in full sun.
- __Soil__: Fast, well-draining soil is essential when caring for a sotol plant. Use a soil mix like sand that contains neutral acidic pH. The plant has a low tolerance for salt, so if you live near the ocean, sotol is not the best choice for your garden.
- __Watering__: In the summer, sotol can be watered regularly, but also sparingly—meaning, make sure it’s dry before you water it. Instead of watering the crown of the plant, as that can contribute to root rot, water the soil in which the plant sits. In the winter months, water it even more sparingly. These plants are extremely drought tolerant.
- __Fertilizer__: Living up to its low maintenance reputation, sotol plants have no need for fertilizer. If you feel that you must fertilize it, then a small formula in the spring is all it needs.
- __Pruning__: Since sotol plants grow quite slowly and take years to blossom, there’s really no need to prune them. Once they reach bloom time, the dried flowers can be removed to keep the plant looking good, but it doesn’t require more than that.
- __Repotting__: As long as you chose an appropriate-sized pot when you initially planted your sotol, repotting isn’t necessary.
Sotol is a non-toxic plant. In fact, Native Americans and Mexicans have included sotol in making food and drinks. The crown of the plant, when dried, can be pulverized into a powder that can be used for cakes and alcoholic beverages. The clear liquor sotol, made from fermented sotol, is most common in southwest Texas and northern Mexico.
Grow your own garden with Ron Finley, the self-described "Gangster Gardener." Get the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com/) and learn how to cultivate fresh herbs and vegetables, keep your house plants alive, and use compost to make your community—and the world—a better place.
If you want to add a bit of desert to your garden, a semi-succulent sotol plant is a low-maintenance option.

If you want to add a bit of desert to your garden, a semi-succulent sotol plant is a low-maintenance option.

Sotol Plant Guide: How to Grow and Care for a Sotol Plant

Sotol (Dasylirion wheeleri) is a plant that belongs to the Asparagaceae family. Made up of 18 semi-succulent species, sotols are a relatively small genus native to the Chihuahuan Desert in Mexico. It flourishes in dry weather and rocky conditions. While its roots may be in Mexico, sotol can also be found in west Texas, New Mexico’s Rio Grande and Pecos Valley, and even in parts of Arizona.Although not an agave, this moderate growing perennial shrub has been associated with them, as well as similar plants like yuccas. Sotol is known for its long, grayish-green leaves with fuzzy ends, as well as the large rosette from where these leaves grow. Due to the inward shape of the leaf base, the sotol plant&#39;s common names include the desert spoon, common sotol, and dessert candle.Although covered in greenish-white flowers with spiky leaves, it takes roughly seven to 10 years before the sotol will produce flowers, which are especially enticing to hummingbirds. These shrubs have pole-like flower stalks that can reach up to 20 feet in height and 6 feet in width.

What Is Sotol?

While the sotol plant may call arid lands home, you can grow them in other regions as well.<ul class="mc-m-4 list-styled"><li class="">Choose a well-draining spot outside. Although one can try to grow a sotol plant inside, it isn’t likely to succeed as well as it will outside. A hillside or plateau where there’s adequate drainage, or in a dry bed or <a href='https://masterclass.com/articles/rock-garden-ideas-and-design-guide' target='_blank' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://masterclass.com/articles/rock-garden-ideas-and-design-guide","linkCopy":"rock garden","category":"automated-link"}' automatic='true'>rock garden</a>, is an ideal location for sotol. The semi-succulent will thrive where other plants struggle to grow. </li><li class="">Keep sotol away from human traffic. The sotol plant has sharp spines, known as teeth, that can prick someone easily. It’s best to plant your sotol in a place where people and pets are less likely to walk past it. </li><li class="">Pot sotol if you live outside hardiness zones. If you don’t live in the optimal conditions for sotol plants, you can grow them in containers. Choose a pot that is large enough for the root system to grow, then place the entire pot in the ground when planting it. Make sure the pot is made of material that promotes proper drainage. </li></ul>

How To Plant Sotol

Sotols are low-maintenance plants that are accustomed to hot and arid environments. As such, keeping sotol plants alive and thriving takes little work.<ul class="mc-m-4 list-styled"><li class="">Sunlight: Although it can handle partial shade, sotols thrive in full sun. </li><li class="">Soil: Fast, well-draining soil is essential when caring for a sotol plant. Use a soil mix like sand that contains neutral acidic pH. The plant has a low tolerance for salt, so if you live near the ocean, sotol is not the best choice for your garden. </li><li class="">Watering: In the summer, sotol can be watered regularly, but also sparingly—meaning, make sure it’s dry before you water it. Instead of watering the crown of the plant, as that can contribute to root rot, water the soil in which the plant sits. In the winter months, water it even more sparingly. These plants are extremely drought tolerant. </li><li class="">Fertilizer: Living up to its low maintenance reputation, sotol plants have no need for fertilizer. If you feel that you must fertilize it, then a small formula in the spring is all it needs. </li><li class="">Pruning: Since sotol plants grow quite slowly and take years to blossom, there’s really no need to prune them. Once they reach bloom time, the dried flowers can be removed to keep the plant looking good, but it doesn’t require more than that. </li><li class="">Repotting: As long as you chose an appropriate-sized pot when you initially planted your sotol, repotting isn’t necessary. </li></ul>

How To Grow and Care for Sotol

Sotol is a non-toxic plant. In fact, Native Americans and Mexicans have included sotol in making food and drinks. The crown of the plant, when dried, can be pulverized into a powder that can be used for cakes and alcoholic beverages. The clear liquor sotol, made from fermented sotol, is most common in southwest Texas and northern Mexico.

Is Sotol Toxic? Safety Tips for Sotol

Grow your own garden with Ron Finley, the self-described &quot;Gangster Gardener.&quot; Get the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a> and learn how to cultivate fresh herbs and vegetables, keep your house plants alive, and use compost to make your community—and the world—a better place.

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If you want to add a bit of desert to your garden, a semi-succulent sotol plant is a low-maintenance option.

If you want to add a bit of desert to your garden, a semi-succulent sotol plant is a low-maintenance option.
