A large yucca-like plant with long serrated leaves, occasionally producing a large 10 -15 foot-high yellow, cream colored flower stock which feeds local insect and bee species. It is often used as a center piece in desert / cactus gardens. Like many plants in the Agave family, this plant is known for its use in making a specialized, smooth flavored variety of Mescal called “Sotol”. The plant also had a variety of uses by indigenous people including being used a source of food, the tough leaves were used to weave baskets and most notably the plant was used as a fire starter, for the flower stocks are the perfect density for starting a friction fire.
Rosset from short trunk grows 4-6 feet high by 4-6 feet wide.
Light: Full Sun
Water: Very low, excellent for Xeriscapes
Soil: Well drained, Cactus soil
Hardiness: 0-10F , USDA Zones 7 and up
Type : Perennial