Name: Dasylirion longissimum | Mexican Grass Tree
Brand: Surreal Succulents
SKU: G920-longiss
Rating: 5.0 (1 reviews)

Dasylirion longissimum | Mexican Grass Tree

£19.50

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Most of our plants are shipped bare-root. Please note that the plant you receive may not be an exact likeness of the images shown.

Grown from seed.

A striking and slow-growing succulent shrub native to northeastern Mexico, Dasylirion longissimum is prized for its bold, architectural form. Its long, ultra-fine leaves radiate in all directions from a central base, creating a perfect spherical or fountain-like shape, like fibre optics. With time, it develops a thick woody trunk and can become a dramatic focal point in any dry or Mediterranean-style garden.

This species thrives in arid conditions and well-drained soils, making it ideal for xeriscaping or container planting in sunny, sheltered positions.

Key Features:

Leaf structure: Narrow, stiff, and grass-like leaves up to 1 metre long, with a flexible, arching habit
Leaf colour: Silvery-green to bluish-grey, with a slight sheen that catches the light beautifully
Growth habit: Forms a symmetrical, rounded rosette; eventually grows a tall woody trunk
Size: Can reach 1.5–2m tall as a shrub and up to 3–4m tall including trunk over many years
Flowers: Rarely flowers, but when mature, may produce an enormous flowering spike over 3m tall
Drought-tolerant: Extremely resilient once established, needing little to no irrigation
Hardiness: Tolerates light frost (down to around -6°C) in free-draining soils

Ideal For:

Dry gardens, gravel borders, or feature pots
Minimalist or contemporary landscaping
Coastal and Mediterranean-style designs

Also known as:

Where it thrives

Sunlight Full Sun 5+ hrs of sun

Recommended location Outdoor Tabletop

Recommended location Conservatory

Recommended location Patio

Recommended location In the Ground

Plant characteristics

Growability Intermediate

Growth form Singular rosette

Growth rate Slow

Minimum temperature -6°C

Mature size, height and width 2m x 2m

Foliage colour Green

On Arrival

Dasylirion longissimum | Mexican Grass Tree is delivered bare-root and will need time to establish in its new pot. Unpack it carefully, remove all protective material and check the leaves, stems and roots have arrived in good condition.

Plant Dasylirion longissimum | Mexican Grass Tree in fresh, free-draining compost, spreading the roots naturally rather than forcing them in. Keep every healthy leaf and the growing point above the surface, then tap the pot on the bench to settle the mixture without pressing it down hard.

Wait five to seven days before watering so small root injuries from lifting and transport can dry. After that, water lightly while the roots establish and move to the normal 3 D's routine once the plant is firmly rooted. Keep Dasylirion longissimum | Mexican Grass Tree bright, sheltered and out of fierce midday sun while it settles.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

Watering

Water Dasylirion longissimum | Mexican Grass Tree using our 3 D's method: drench, drain and dry. Water thoroughly so the whole root area is moistened and every excess drop escapes through the drainage holes, then wait until the compost has dried before watering again.

Judge watering by the compost and the weight of the pot rather than a fixed timetable. A small terracotta pot in bright warmth dries quickly, while a large or glazed pot stays wet far longer. Water in the morning and avoid leaving water sitting in the centre of a rosette.

Reduce watering considerably through cold, dull weather. Fleshy leaves and stems store moisture, so a healthy plant tolerates a dry spell far more safely than cold, permanently wet compost.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

Light and position

Provide Dasylirion longissimum | Mexican Grass Tree with Full Sun - 5+ Hours of Sun. Suitable positions can include Outdoor Tabletop, Conservatory, Patio, and In the Ground. Most succulents need strong natural light to keep compact growth and their best Green colouring; too little light causes stretched, pale, leggy growth.

Rotate a pot-grown plant regularly so it develops evenly, and introduce it to stronger sunshine gradually after winter, delivery or a spell indoors, as unadjusted foliage can scorch. Provide temporary shade during intense heatwaves.

A few succulents prefer bright indirect light rather than fierce sun. If Dasylirion longissimum | Mexican Grass Tree's leaves bleach or brown in strong summer sun, move it to a slightly shadier spot.

Compost and drainage

Plant Dasylirion longissimum | Mexican Grass Tree in a free-draining mixture. A standard multi-purpose compost or a John Innes No.2 (sandy) mix with around 30 to 40 percent by volume of drainage media, such as horticultural grit, sharp sand or perlite, suits most succulents well. Always choose a pot with unrestricted drainage holes.

Choose a container only moderately larger than the root system, as surplus compost stays wet for too long. Terracotta is a useful choice in the cool, humid UK climate because its porous sides help the compost dry evenly.

A thin layer of horticultural grit around the base keeps the lowest leaves off damp compost and helps the surface stay open and airy.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost horticultural grit perlite

Feeding

Fresh compost should contain enough nutrients to support Dasylirion longissimum | Mexican Grass Tree for approximately three to six months. Once these are used, apply a balanced liquid feed at half the recommended strength every two to four weeks while the plant is in active growth.

Feed only when the compost is already moist, preferably shortly after watering. Stop feeding through autumn and winter, or whenever growth has paused.

Do not overfeed to force colour or size. Strong light, sharp drainage and correct watering matter far more than fertiliser.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost liquid seaweed feed

Winter care

The recorded minimum temperature for Dasylirion longissimum | Mexican Grass Tree is -6°C. Unless the product page confirms it is hardy, treat Dasylirion longissimum | Mexican Grass Tree as tender and move it into a bright, airy, frost-free position before conditions fall below its recorded minimum.

Keep the compost much drier through winter, as cold, wet roots rot readily. Avoid standing the plant above a radiator, where dry heat and weak light cause soft, distorted growth. A greenhouse, conservatory or bright, cool windowsill gives good protection.

Where Dasylirion longissimum | Mexican Grass Tree is genuinely hardy, its main enemy is winter wet rather than cold: keep drainage sharp and clear wet debris from around the crown.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

Summer care

Spring and summer are the main growing season for most succulents, so check the compost regularly and water thoroughly whenever it has dried. Many can spend the frost-free months outdoors once acclimatised gradually to sun, wind and rain.

Ventilate greenhouses and conservatories in hot weather, as heat trapped behind glass can scorch leaves. Provide temporary afternoon shade during exceptional heatwaves.

Strong light often deepens red, bronze and purple tones. If Dasylirion longissimum | Mexican Grass Tree flowers, enjoy the display and remove the dried stems afterwards if you prefer a tidier plant.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

Repotting

Repot Dasylirion longissimum | Mexican Grass Tree in spring when the roots fill the pot, the plant becomes unstable or the compost has broken down. Ease it out while supporting the base rather than the leaves, and remove as much old compost as possible.

Inspect the roots and cut away any brown, hollow or soft ones with clean snips, leaving fresh cuts to dry. Replace with a fresh, free-draining mixture in a pot only one or two sizes larger.

Keep Dasylirion longissimum | Mexican Grass Tree at its previous depth and wait three to five days before watering so any root injuries can seal.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

Common problems

Stretched, pale, widely spaced growth almost always means Dasylirion longissimum | Mexican Grass Tree needs more light. Move it gradually somewhere brighter and rotate the pot.

Soft, translucent, mushy leaves, a darkening stem base or sudden collapse point to excess moisture and rot. Remove the plant from wet compost, cut away damaged tissue and roots, and let healthy material dry before repotting or taking rescue cuttings.

Check leaf joints and the root area for white, cotton-like mealybug, which shelters in sheltered spots. Isolate and treat affected plants promptly. Dry brown patches usually indicate sun scorch, so introduce direct light gradually.

We supply the recommended care essentials for mail order. Find the relevant products here: succulent compost

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Dasylirion longissimum | Mexican Grass Tree

Where it thrives

How to care for Dasylirion longissimum | Mexican Grass Tree

Plant characteristics

On Arrival

Watering

Light and position

Compost and drainage

Feeding

Winter care

Summer care

Repotting

Common problems

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Dasylirion longissimum | Mexican Grass Tree

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