Xerophyllum Species, Bear Grass, Common Beargrass, Indian Basket Grass, Western Turkeybeard

According to calscape.org, this plant grows from BC to California and over to Wyoming. Can handle temps down to -15F. Okay in most soils,...Read More most sun and shade conditions. Can be summer deciduous. Has low water requirements. I interpret this to mean it's accustomed to summer drought and winter rains and snow. It may not handle summer watering well.

The Beargrass that grows wild in Arizona is Nolina microcarpa and has a long slender flower stalk with small white flowers distributed ev...Read Moreenly along the stalk. It is generally found from 2,900 to 6,200 feet in elevation. Perhaps that is the cause in confusion over growing conditions. I have never seen Xerophyllum tenax growing anywhere in Arizona.

I planted this about three years ago in my yard (4500', southern Arizona). This plant is native to my region and is commonly sold in nurs...Read Moreeries.

It's a beautiful, evergreen plant. Though the suggestion is to water regularly, I don't water mine and it does really well.

This year it is blooming! I'm very excited as apparently they bloom on 5 - 7 year cycles. Maybe that's true or maybe it just needs 'regular watering' to bloom yearly! A nice consideration for xeriscaping.

I have probably had this plant 4 times in the past 15+years; and have had no lasting success with it.
That is: it looks like it w...Read Moreants to grow, then croaks.

I believe that at one time, I had entered my Zip as a "does grow here", but am changing it to "won't". The positive response was entered at a time when it looked to be doing o.k., just before it went R.I.P.

It may do fine South of my Z5 location, but no luck up here.

These watering tips drive me nuts: water regularly, but don't overwater??!!!
I have also read that this plant may be a Xerophyte, which makes the watering instructions even more obtuse? Does anyone know for sure ?
moosewood