Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Texas Tuberose
Texas Tuberose forms a low, soft clump of agave-like leaves with no spines, gray-green and covered in purple spots. In late spring and summer it sends up tall, slender stalks of lightly fragrant flowers in cream to lavender. It stays about a foot tall and slowly spreads, and it grows in sun or shade. Use it as a spotted ground cover under trees, in small beds, near the pool or in a deep pot.
Best for: a spotted ground cover in dappled shade under trees, small planter beds, spots near walks and pools where spines would be a problem, and deep containers.
In Phoenix it does best in dappled light shade, such as under a tree canopy. It slowly spreads into a low colony, which works as a textured ground cover.
The leaves are soft and have no spines, so it is safe to plant along walks, patios and pool edges where an agave would snag.
It stays about a foot tall. Plant about 2 to 3 feet apart in a small bed, or use a deep container that gives the roots room.
It struggles in full summer sun in Phoenix. The leaves often burn back in winter and look rough until the plant regrows in spring.
- Small bed or border2-3 ft apart
- Ground cover mass2-3 ft apart
Plant in spring or early summer, when warm soil helps roots grow. New plants need water more often at first, then stretch the time between waterings as they root.
It is drought tolerant, but in the desert it needs regular water in summer to stay full. Let the soil dry between waterings and cut back in winter.
The leaves often burn back in winter. Leave them until new growth starts in spring, then trim off the dead leaves and old flower stalks.
In Phoenix it looks best in dappled light shade and struggles in full summer sun. Leaf spots are stronger with more sun.
It slowly spreads by underground stems into a colony. Divide the clump if it spreads farther than you want.
Drainage test first. Dig the hole and fill it with water. If water is still sitting in the hole a day later, you likely hit caliche, clay or hard soil, so fix the drainage before planting. If it drains very fast, the soil is sandy. Standing water around roots is a common reason new plants fail.
Weed cloth. Cut it away from the planting hole and where the roots will spread. Remove any plastic sheeting completely, since it keeps water and air out of the soil.
Rock or decomposed granite with no soil underneath. Bring in soil close in texture to your native soil, mix it with the soil below, and build up enough depth for roots before planting.
If you can break through. Use a breaker bar, pick, or jackhammer. Dig through the caliche and break out the solid chunks. Backfill with the soil you dug out, with no compost or manure in the hole. Confirm drainage before planting.
If you cannot break through. Dig narrow holes through the hard layer beside the root ball, not under it, and refill them with the same soil, not gravel. If it still will not drain, plant on a low mound of the same soil.
Root ball. Check the outside edges for any roots circling around. Loosen or cut those so they grow outward. Do not break up the center of the root ball.
Depth. The top of the root ball should sit at or just slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting too deep can lead to rot and kill the plant.
Drip emitters. At planting, put the emitters on the root ball, on different sides of the plant. After about 2 months, move them to the outer edge of the root ball. Over the first year, add emitters farther out toward the edge of the branches as roots grow. Once a plant is rooted, never water only at the trunk.
Does Texas Tuberose have spines?
No. It looks like a small agave, but its leaves are soft and spineless. That makes it a safe pick near walks, patios and pools.
Can it grow in shade?
Yes. It grows in full sun to full shade, and in Phoenix it looks best in dappled light shade. The purple leaf spots are stronger with more sun.
Why did my Texas Tuberose die back in winter?
Winter dieback is normal for this plant. The leaves often burn back in winter, and the plant regrows quickly in spring. Trim off the dead leaves once new growth starts.
Are the flowers fragrant?
Yes, lightly. Tall, slender stalks carry cream to lavender flowers in late spring and summer, and the flowers age to rose pink.
How big does it get?
The leaves stay about a foot tall, and a clump spreads 1 to 3 feet. It slowly forms a colony from underground stems.
How far apart should I plant it?
Plant about 2 to 3 feet apart, center to center. The Spacing tab on this page counts plants for your bed.
How often should I water it?
It is drought tolerant, but in the desert it needs regular watering to stay full. Let the soil dry between waterings, and cut back in winter.
How cold hardy is it?
Cold ratings run from about 18°F down to 0°F. Frost can burn the leaves, but the plant comes back in spring.
Can I grow it in a pot?
Yes. Use a deep container with good drainage, since it has an extensive root system.
Texas Tuberose for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Texas Tuberose is a low, spineless relative of agave from south Texas and northern Mexico, grown for its purple-spotted leaves and fragrant summer flowers. Below is what to expect from it in the Valley, from shade and water to winter dieback, spacing and blooms.
Sourced from trusted Arizona growers and delivered directly to your door, job site, or property. We deliver across the Valley and to nearby towns, and quote delivery anywhere else in Arizona.
Does Texas Tuberose grow in shade in Phoenix?
Yes. It takes full sun to full shade, and in Phoenix it does best in dappled light shade. It struggles in full summer sun here.
Is Texas Tuberose spineless?
Yes. Its agave-like leaves are soft with no spines, so it is a good choice near walks, patios and pools.
Why does Texas Tuberose die back in winter?
Its leaves often burn back in winter, then regrow quickly in spring. Cut away the dead leaves when new growth appears.
How far apart do you plant Texas Tuberose?
Plant about 2 to 3 feet apart center to center. Each clump spreads 1 to 3 feet. The Spacing tab on this page counts plants for your bed.
When does Texas Tuberose bloom?
It blooms in late spring and summer, on tall, slender stalks. The lightly fragrant flowers are cream to lavender and draw hummingbirds.
How much water does Texas Tuberose need?
It is drought tolerant, but regular summer water keeps it full in the desert. Let the soil dry between waterings.
We deliver across the Valley, from Phoenix, Scottsdale and Mesa out to San Tan Valley, Maricopa and Casa Grande, and up to Prescott, Sedona, Payson and Globe. See delivery areas and rates.