Desert Spoon
Dasylirion wheeleri
An exceptional native specimen with a dense sphere of blue-gray leaves and a towering summer flower spike.
Very cold hardy into the teens °F, USDA 9-11; native across Chihuahuan and Sonoran low and mid desert.
AMWUA Notes
Native, very drought tolerant accent needing minimal irrigation.
Care Guide
Water established plants monthly; drought tolerant and best with deep, infrequent soaks.
Remove dead outer leaves and old flower stalks; the classic spoon-shaped leaf bases can be left for a natural skirt or trimmed.
Not necessary in native soil.
Largely pest-free and very tough.
Cold hardy into the teens °F and heat-loving; the towering summer flower spike is a landscape feature.
Soil, Feeding & Propagation
Fast-draining decomposed granite or gritty mineral soil; low organic matter
Needs sharp, fast-draining soil.
None — thrives in lean desert soil without fertilizer.
Seed
5-6 ft
Shallow, non-invasive roots; fine-toothed margins are minor, so keep off tight paths
Placement Tips
- •Feature as a specimen or informal screen.
- •The fine-toothed leaf margins are far less hazardous than agave spines but still keep off tight paths.
- •Give it 6 ft of room.
- •Plant in fast-draining granite.
Features
Best Uses
Companion Plants
Quick Stats
Design Styles
Include in Your Project
Love Desert Spoon? Our landscape team sources from wholesale nurseries and can incorporate it into your design.
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Use this care guide to maintain your Desert Spoon. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.
Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.
Desert Spoon — common questions
Answers for low-desert Phoenix conditions, drawn from this plant’s growing data.
How much water does Desert Spoon need in Phoenix?
Desert Spoon is a low-water accent plant once established. Water established plants monthly; drought tolerant and best with deep, infrequent soaks. Native, very drought tolerant accent needing minimal irrigation.
How big does Desert Spoon get?
Expect roughly 6 ft tall and 6 ft wide at maturity, with a slow growth rate. Allow about 5-6 ft of spacing when planting. Shallow, non-invasive roots; fine-toothed margins are minor, so keep off tight paths.
Can you plant Desert Spoon near a pool?
Yes. Desert Spoon is considered pool-friendly, meaning it stays clean enough around water features and hardscape. Litter is rated low.
Can Desert Spoon handle Arizona heat and winter frost?
Desert Spoon is hardy in USDA 9-11 and wants full sun. Very cold hardy into the teens °F, USDA 9-11; native across Chihuahuan and Sonoran low and mid desert. Cold hardy into the teens °F and heat-loving; the towering summer flower spike is a landscape feature.
Does Desert Spoon have thorns?
No. Desert Spoon is thornless, so it is safe alongside walkways, patios and play areas.
Is Desert Spoon safe around pets?
Desert Spoon is listed as pet-friendly in this guide. If your dog is a determined chewer, check any new plant with your vet before planting.
When does Desert Spoon bloom in Arizona?
Desert Spoon blooms in summer, with white-cream flowers.
How much maintenance does Desert Spoon need?
Desert Spoon is low-maintenance. Leaf, flower and pod litter is rated low. Remove dead outer leaves and old flower stalks; the classic spoon-shaped leaf bases can be left for a natural skirt or trimmed.
What kind of soil does Desert Spoon need?
Fast-draining decomposed granite or gritty mineral soil; low organic matter. It needs no supplemental feeding. Not necessary in native soil.
Is Desert Spoon native to Arizona?
Yes. Desert Spoon is native to Arizona and to the Chihuahuan and Sonoran Deserts, so it is adapted to local rainfall, soil and heat.