Plant problems

Why Are My Beschorneria Leaves Curling?

Q: Why are my beschorneria leaves curling?

Beschorneria (Mexican lily or false aloe) leaves curl and brown most commonly in UK gardens because of cold damage in hard winters (beschorneria yuccoides, the most commonly grown species, is generally hardy to approximately -10 to -12°C in freely draining conditions, but the long, strap-like, grey-green or blue-green leaves are damaged by frost below about -5°C; the leaves curl, go limp, and take on a bleached or translucent appearance after hard frost), drought stress in summer (the succulent-like leaves of beschorneria are relatively drought-tolerant but the large rosettes need consistent moisture for strong growth and flower production; drought stress causes the leaves to curl inward and develop a dull, grey appearance), or waterlogging in wet UK winters (the rhizomatous root system rots in persistently saturated soil, particularly in cold, wet conditions; well-drained soil is essential). Beschorneria is a small genus of around eight species of large, rosette-forming, semi-succulent perennials from dry, rocky, mountain slopes and scrub in Mexico; they are closely related to agave and yucca and share a similar bold, dramatic, architectural form. Beschorneria yuccoides is the most widely grown species in UK gardens: it produces large, spreading rosettes of soft (not spiny), strap-like, grey-green leaves to about 50 to 70 cm long, and in summer (May to July) produces extraordinary, arching, coral-red or deep pink flower spikes to 2 m or more, with hanging, tubular, green flowers; these flower spikes are among the most dramatic of any UK-hardy exotic plant.

Q: Is beschorneria hardy in the UK?

Beschorneria yuccoides is one of the hardier exotic-looking perennials available to UK gardeners; it is generally considered hardy to approximately -10 to -12°C in freely draining, sunny conditions in a sheltered position, making it reliably perennial throughout most of England and Wales. The leaves are the frost-tender part of the plant (damaged below about -5°C) while the rhizomatous root system is considerably harder; plants that lose all their leaves in a hard winter typically resprout vigorously from the base in spring. The most important factor for winter survival is soil drainage; beschorneria in heavy clay soils with poor drainage is killed by conditions that a plant in a dry, gritty, south-facing raised bed would survive comfortably. In milder UK areas (south and west coast, sheltered urban gardens) beschorneria is a robust, reliable, and low-maintenance exotic that requires minimal attention beyond an occasional tidy of damaged leaves. In colder UK areas (Scotland, northern England, the north and east Midlands) it benefits from the protection of a south-facing wall and a deep winter mulch of bark or straw over the root zone from November to March. In truly cold UK gardens (persistent frost below -12°C) it is safest to grow in a container that can be moved under cover for winter.

Q: How do I grow beschorneria in the UK?

Beschorneria grows best in a sunny or lightly shaded position in freely draining, lean to moderately fertile, neutral to slightly alkaline soil; the plants are from dry, rocky, mountainous terrain in Mexico and perform best in conditions that approximate their natural habitat: open, bright, and dry. Poor, gritty, sandy, or stony soils suit them well; avoid rich, heavy, waterlogging-prone soils. Plant in a south or south-west facing position against a warm wall or in a raised bed in cooler UK areas; the reflected warmth significantly extends cold tolerance. A rock garden or gravel garden in full sun is an ideal location; the bold, rosette form is displayed to best advantage against a gravel or stone mulch. Apply a generous coarse gravel or bark mulch around the base in autumn to protect the root zone and crown from frost; keep the mulch away from the leaf bases to prevent moisture accumulating at the crown. Water moderately during the growing season from April to October; established plants are drought-tolerant and do not need supplementary watering in average UK summers. Feed lightly in spring with a slow-release, balanced fertiliser; do not overfeed, as rich conditions produce lush, soft growth that is less cold-tolerant than compact, lean growth. The extraordinary arching flower spike (to 2 m, coral-red with hanging green flowers) typically appears in May to July on established rosettes; not all rosettes flower every year, and young plants may take three to five years to produce their first flower spike.

Q: What is the difference between beschorneria and agave?

Beschorneria and agave are closely related genera in the same family (Asparagaceae) and share a similar bold, rosette-forming, semi-succulent growth form; in garden use they are both used for dramatic, architectural, exotic effects in dry, sunny positions. The key differences are: spininess (agave leaves typically end in a very sharp, hard spine and have serrated, toothed margins that are genuinely dangerous; beschorneria leaves are soft-tipped and unarmed, making them much safer to handle and site near paths and play areas), flowering habit (agave flowers monocarpically, meaning the individual rosette that flowers then dies after setting seed, though the parent plant produces offsets; beschorneria flowers repeatedly from established rosettes without dying), size (agave varies enormously by species from quite small to enormous; beschorneria yuccoides forms rosettes about 50 to 70 cm in leaf length, a manageable garden size), and hardiness (beschorneria yuccoides is considerably hardier than most agave species and is a much more reliable choice for mainstream UK garden conditions). For UK gardeners who want an agave-like effect without the danger of spiny leaves or the risk of losing the parent plant to monocarpic die-back, beschorneria is often the more practical choice; for those who want the most dramatic possible succulent effect and are growing in a very sheltered, sunny, dry position, Agave americana and its varieties (which are borderline hardy in very sheltered UK gardens) offer a bolder, more architectural form.

Beschorneria yuccoides (Mexican lily) is a bold, rosette-forming exotic from Mexican mountain scrub with soft, strap-like, grey-green leaves and extraordinary arching flower spikes to 2 m in coral-red in May to July. Surprisingly hardy (to about -10°C in free-draining soil), it is reliably perennial in most of England and Wales and a striking, low-maintenance architectural plant for dry, sunny positions. Cold and waterlogging are the main risks in UK gardens.

Cold damage

Hard frosts below about -5°C damage the strap-like leaves of beschorneria; the leaves curl, go limp, and develop a bleached or translucent appearance after exposure to hard frost. In very cold winters, the above-ground leaves may be killed entirely. The rhizomatous root system is considerably harder than the leaves and typically survives to resprout vigorously from the base in spring; total plant loss is rare in a sheltered, well-drained position in most of England and Wales.

What to do

Apply a deep mulch of composted bark or straw (10 to 15 cm) over the root zone from November; in colder areas, wrap the above-ground rosette in two to three layers of horticultural fleece from November to March. A south-facing wall position dramatically reduces frost damage to the leaves. Remove frosted, limp leaves in spring once new growth begins; the plant produces vigorous new rosette growth once temperatures rise.

Waterlogging

Beschorneria comes from dry, rocky, well-drained mountain slopes in Mexico and cannot tolerate waterlogged, saturated soil; the rhizomatous root system rots in persistently wet conditions, particularly when cold is combined with wet from October to March. Plants in heavy clay soils are most at risk; free-draining soil in a raised bed or rock garden is the safest growing environment. Waterlogging in a mild, wet UK winter can kill plants that would have survived a colder but drier winter without any damage.

What to do

Plant in freely draining soil; incorporate grit and coarse sand in clay soils. A raised bed, rock garden, gravel garden, or south-facing slope is ideal. Apply a coarse gravel mulch around the base to keep the crown dry. In container growing, use a very well-draining compost mix and ensure drainage holes are unobstructed; never leave containers in saucers of standing water.

Drought stress

Beschorneria is considerably more drought-tolerant than most UK border perennials, coming from dry Mexican mountain conditions; established plants rarely need supplementary watering in average UK summers. However, extended drought stress causes the large leaves to curl inward and develop a dull, grey-green appearance, and severely reduces the vigour of the flower spike in the following season. Young, recently planted rosettes are more susceptible to drought than established, multi-year clumps.

What to do

Water newly planted specimens regularly in their first season; established plants rarely need watering in the UK except in prolonged dry spells. A gravel or bark mulch around the base helps retain soil moisture while maintaining the free drainage the plant needs. Do not over-water; the succulent-like roots store moisture and waterlogging is far more damaging than drought.

Frequently asked questions

Why are my beschorneria leaves curling?

Beschorneria leaves curl most commonly because of cold damage (leaves curl and go limp below -5°C; the rhizomes survive and resprout; mulch deeply and fleece in colder areas), waterlogging in wet UK winters (roots rot in saturated soil; free-draining conditions are essential; raised bed or rock garden), or drought stress (the large leaves curl and dull; water in prolonged dry spells; established plants are tolerant but young ones need more attention). Avoid cold combined with wet.

Is beschorneria hardy in the UK?

Beschorneria yuccoides is hardy to about -10 to -12°C in freely draining conditions in a sheltered position, making it reliably perennial in most of England and Wales. The leaves are damaged by frost below -5°C but the rhizomes survive hard winters and resprout vigorously in spring. In southern and coastal UK gardens it needs minimal winter protection; in northern or exposed positions, a south-facing wall, deep mulch, and fleece from November extend hardiness significantly.

How do I grow beschorneria in the UK?

Grow in full sun in freely draining, lean to moderately fertile, neutral to slightly alkaline soil; a rock garden, raised bed, or gravel garden in a south-facing position is ideal. Do not add rich compost or feed heavily; lean conditions produce compact, cold-tolerant growth. Apply a gravel mulch around the base in autumn. Water only in prolonged dry spells; established plants are drought-tolerant. The spectacular coral-red arching flower spikes appear in May to July on established rosettes.

What is the difference between beschorneria and agave?

Both are rosette-forming exotics from Mexico but beschorneria has soft-tipped, unarmed leaves (safe near paths and children) while agave leaves end in a hard, sharp spine. Beschorneria flowers repeatedly without the parent rosette dying (agave is monocarpic: the flowering rosette dies). Beschorneria yuccoides is considerably hardier than most agave and is a more reliable choice for UK garden conditions. For an agave-like effect without the danger or the monocarpic die-back, beschorneria is the practical alternative.