Description
***Note: Unfortunately, all Otatea acuminata ssp. aztecorum “Mexican Weeping” is going into a gregarious flowering cycle, which means the species is dying off (until seeds are potentially formed and germinated). For more information, see here and here. We are not currently selling it.
A beautiful, drought resistant, clumping ornamental from the Chaparral of Mexico. Masses of long narrow leaves hang in graceful plumes on smokey green culms. This plant loves full sun and hot temperatures, but may also be planted in light shade. It requires very good drainage, but tolerates salt air, alkalinity, and clay soils. The Otatea is hardy to only 20 degrees and may experience leaf drop and cane die-back at 18 degrees. This plant may reach heights of 15-20’ in ideal conditions with warm, relatively dry winters, but in areas with more frost and occasional temperatures in the teens, it may maintain heights of only 6–12.’
- Origin: Mexico
- Minimum Temperature: 20 F.
- Size in climate of origin: 20’ tall, 1.5” in diam
- Sun/Shade: Full-day of sun down to a half-day of morning sun (3-5)
- Recommended Uses: Specimen plant or wide screen
- Shooting Season: Mid-summer and fall
Care
- Ideal growing conditions: Loves hot temperatures, full sun and excellent drainage (sandy soils). Grows well on steep, sunny hills with good drainage. Does best with drier, warmer winters, such as in low desert climates
- Acceptable growing conditions: Tolerates alkaline, clay soils and salt air, and therefore is a good choice for locations near the ocean. Otatea is also drought resistant. Grows in the wetter, colder Bay Area climate, but often remains shorter and sustains frost damage to the tops. May be grown indoors in a full-day of sun down to a half-day of morning sun, following our recommendation for indoor care.
- Special Care: Being cold sensitive, Otatea experiences leaf drop and cane dieback if temperatures drop below 18 F. In areas with significant frost, it may be necessary to prune back frost-bitten tops each spring.
Size
- Size Locally in open ground: 6-12’ tall, 1” diam
Arlyn Duval –
Growing in hot Desert (120*) alkaline clay soil. Only known specimen in Imperial Valley. Needs some afternoon filtered shade – but also dies back if too much shade! Hardy and determined bamboo – returns easily. Tends to die back from top if unhappy … could be fire hazard if not managed. Very very pretty – fluffy — looks more like a giant fern to locals here. lies in damp soil all summer, dryer in cooler winter.