Bloomipedia
Wheeler sotol (Dasylirion wheeleri)
Photo: Andrew Tree via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Wheeler sotol

Dasylirion wheeleri

Wheeler sotol (Dasylirion wheeleri) is a shrub in the Asparagaceae family, native in the lower 48 states.

Native in the lower 48

Wheeler sotol is a flowering plant that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 2 states.

3states where USDA records it
2Bloomipedia state lists include it
6,599U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Arizona, New Mexico

Quick look

Dasylirion wheeleri is a species of flowering plant in the asparagus family (Asparagaceae), native to arid environments of northern Mexico and the southwestern United States.

  • It belongs to the Asparagaceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as a shrub / a subshrub with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 3 states. USDA PLANTS
  • NatureServe lists it as native to Arizona and New Mexico. NatureServe
  • USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as white. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as mid spring. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 15 ft. USDA PLANTS
  • iNaturalist has 4,125 research-grade sightings of it in Arizona, ranking #23 among the 132 flowers on our Arizona list. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 2,057 research-grade sightings of it in New Mexico, ranking #16 among the 152 flowers on our New Mexico list. iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

Flowering records by month across the U.S. (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (46 records)
Bloom time in the 2 states whose Bloomipedia list includes it
StateTypePeak bloomSightings*
ArizonaNativefew records (33)4,125
New MexicoNativefew records (12)2,057

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
G4 Apparently secure worldwide. NatureServe
Arizona
Salvage restricted On Arizona Native Plant Law protected plants (Ariz. Admin. Code R3-3 Art. 11, App. A, eff. Feb. 2, 2025): salvage restricted (permit needed to remove). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Arizona. AAC R3-3 App. A
New Mexico
Not listed Not on New Mexico state endangered plant species (19.21.2.9 NMAC). NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in New Mexico. 19.21.2.9 NMAC
Rare elsewhere
No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Please leave it where it grows

Please don't pick or dig this flower: it's on Arizona's rare plant list (salvage restricted). AAC R3-3 App. A

Can you eat it?

For peopleNot well documented

None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.

For petsNot well documented

It isn't on the ASPCA plant list.

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records wheeler sotol in 3 states.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Arizona, New Mexico, Texas.

Arizona counties with USDA records: Cochise, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, Maricopa, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz.

New Mexico counties with USDA records: Chaves, Dona Ana, Eddy, Luna, Roosevelt, Sandoval, Sierra, Socorro.

Growing conditions

USDA PLANTS gives Wheeler sotol a high shade tolerance, high drought tolerance and low moisture use. It is rated for soil pH 6.6 to 9.0 and winter lows down to 27 °F.

Shade tolerance
High
Drought tolerance
High
Moisture use
Low
Soil textures it is adapted to
coarse, medium
Soil pH range
6.6 to 9.0
Minimum temperature tolerated
27 °F
Frost-free days needed (minimum)
300
Annual precipitation range
6 to 14 inches
Minimum root depth
24 inches
Salinity tolerance
Low
Fertility requirement
Low
Growth rate
Slow
Lifespan
Long
Active growth period
Spring and Summer
Fruit or seed
Brown · Summer to Summer
Can be propagated by
bare root, container, seed, sprigs
Commercial availability
Contracting Only

From the USDA PLANTS characteristics data for DAWH2. USDA ratings are general guidance for the species, not a guarantee for your garden.

Names, range and relatives

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 18 counties across 3 states; the most are in Arizona (8), New Mexico (8), Texas (2).

More from the Asparagaceae family (34 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Yuccas, Solomon's plume (false Solomon's seal), Canada mayflower, Blue dicks, Common star-of-Bethlehem, Star-flowered lily-of-the-valley, Chaparral yucca, Mojave yucca.

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Sources