How to Grow Sacahuista

Overview

Sacahuista, sometimes known as Texas beargrass, is not really a grass at all but a member of the lily family. With white blooms and gray-green grass-like leaves, sacahuista can grow to 4 feet tall. Used as a houseplant or grown year-round in dry, warm desert climates of the southwestern United States, sacahuista is a strikingly beautiful plant but poisonous to even the touch, so plant with care.

Growing Sacahuista

Step 1

Propagate seeds or seedlings in small 4- to 6-inch pots in a hot, humid condition such as a cold frame or greenhouse during the month of January. Keep plants in light shade and slightly moist until established.

Step 2

Prepare your bed by adding sand if needed to already dry, partly shady conditions. Take a sample to your local extension office, if desired, to find out the consistency of your soil and see if you need to add anything. Sacahuista is very easy to grow and will adapt well if sun and water conditions are correct.

Step 3

Transplant established plants--with gloves on--to gardens or use as a houseplant once the danger of frost has passed. Sacahuista is native of the Great Plains area and prefers sandy to rocky soil with low water conditions. Sacahuista works best as an accent plant in desert landscape designs among limestone boulders or rock gardens.