Nolina nelsonii . Rose

🌱 Morphology

Slow-growing xerophytic plant with an arborescent habit, developing a robust trunk that generally reaches a height of 1–3 m, although it can grow larger with age. At its tip, it forms a large rosette of numerous, narrow, rigid, linear leaves, measuring up to 70–100 cm in length and about 2–3 cm wide. Its color is silvery blue or bluish-green, with a pronounced glaucous hue. The margins have small, fine, rough teeth, but the leaves lack a terminal spine. Over time, the trunk may branch and develop several rosettes, taking on the appearance of a small tree. Unlike Beaucarnea, it does not develop such a pronounced caudiciform base.

🌍 Distribution, habitat and family

Species endemic to Tamaulipas, in northeastern Mexico, especially the mountains and ravines near Miquihuana. It grows in xerophytic mountain scrubland and on rocky slopes, in dry and sunny environments, reaching elevations of nearly 2,700 m. It is adapted to prolonged periods of drought and significant temperature fluctuations between day and night.

Order Asparagales · Family Asparagaceae · Subfamily Nolinoideae.

❄️ Temperature · USDA Zone 8a

It tolerates minimum temperatures of approximately −12 °C when established and grown in very well-drained soil. It is quite cold-hardy, but the combination of frost and persistent moisture can cause damage to the roots and the base of the trunk.

☀️ Lighting

It needs full sun to develop a compact rosette and retain its characteristic silvery-blue hue. Very bright exposure with high light intensity throughout the year is recommended. Recommended PAR DLI: 20–30 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹. It tolerates heat and intense sunlight well once acclimated.

💧 Growth cycle and watering

Winter dormancy. Growth mainly occurs in spring and summer. It is a very drought-tolerant plant thanks to the water reserves stored at the base of the trunk. During the growing season, it is recommended to water deeply and allow the growing medium to dry out completely before watering again. In winter, it can be kept with practically no watering, especially if grown outdoors and receiving rainfall.

🌸 Flowering

It is a dioecious species, so there are male and female specimens. Adult plants develop large, highly branched terminal inflorescences that can rise 1.5 to 3 m above the rosette. The numerous flowers are small, white or cream, and appear mainly in spring and early summer. Once pollinated, the female flowers produce seed capsules. Flowering does not necessarily mean the death of the entire plant: although the flowering rosette may deteriorate, the trunk can continue to grow through lateral shoots.

🌿 Nutrition

During the active growing season, Desert CHOICE® Succulents is recommended, providing a balanced supply of potassium and bioavailable calcium. Potassium helps regulate water and resistance to stress, while calcium contributes to the firmness and consistency of the tissues.

🪴 Pot

Large specimen in a 40x40 cm pot.

This is an inimitable xerophyte grown in Madrid in a technological square pot with a substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.

* As this is an online purchase, the appearance of the sent specimen may vary slightly from the product image. The photo description specifies the plant's measurements, but these may also vary slightly because it is a living thing! Each of the plants at Desert CITY has unique characteristics.