Photo of Beschorneria albiflora form by Stan Shebs

Photo by Stan Shebs

This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license

Show all photos

Beschorneria albiflora

Also Known As

  • Trunking Beschorneria

Plant type

cactus / succulent

size

  • H: 3'-6'
  • W: 3'-4'

planting zones

  • 8b-10b

More Options

Beschorneria albiflora plant details

Beschorneria albiflora is an evergreen cactus / succulent with green foliage. In spring and summer cream, pink, red and white flowers emerge. Features glaucous texture. Attracts hummingbirds. Grows well with sun - mostly shade and regular water. Does well in average, gritty and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and verticillium wilt resistant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Beschorneria albiflora

Plant type: cactus / succulent
Plant family: asparagaceae
Foliage: evergreen green
Mature size: 3 FT - 4 FT - wide, 3 FT - 6 FT - tall
Flowers: cream, pink, red and white blooms in spring and summer
Uses: cascading, container plant, houseplant, infrequent-blooming, red stems, rock garden, rosette-forming, tropical-looking, xeric

GROWING CONDITIONS for Beschorneria albiflora

USDA Zones: 8b - 10b
Sun exposure: sun - mostly shade
Watering frequency: regular
Resistant to: heat and verticillium wilt
Soil needs: average, gritty and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Amazing evergreen focal point plant alert! CrazyRARE, Beschorneria albiflora is the only species that forms an aboveground trunk that can reach 30" high! How awesome is that?!? Stunning sea green rosettes composed of smooth & strappy leaves grow to 4' wide & 6-8' tall (including trunk). In late-Winter to early Spring a long lasting, flamboyant bright red multi-branching flower stalk emerges like a mythical beast from the center, reaching 4-5' tall & it's completely covered in pendulous, hummingbird attracting, tubular blooms that are creamy white as the buds open, fading to pink & then red. A stunning traffic stopper! In full sun regular water preferred, but with a bit more shade it needs less. The southernmost species, it's endemic to Chiapas, Guatamala & Honduras. Hardy to 15-20 degrees.
This trunk-forming Agave relative bears a 4' long, bright red arching flower stalk with pendent, tubular light green flowers--a plethora of hummingbird-attracting blooms. Behold the Beschorneria! Broad, fleshy, lance-shaped leaves give a tropical impression, and no wonder, it's from Central America. Still quite hardy, though. This is a real stunner and we dare you to give it a go! Deep watering in summer is beneficial, especially if in full sun.
One of the larger members of this genus of agave relatives from northeastern Mexico growing amid oaks, pines, and many other delicious plants. This species forms open rosettes of pale green leaves, to about 3 ft, with bright red, branched flower stalks rising to 6 ft or more, the pendulous flowers often red at the base and very pale green, indeed nearly white, at the tips of the sepals. Prefers some summer water where dry. Has performed admirably in our garden in dappled shade and should be frost hardy in USDA zone 8, to about 15 °F with no leaf damage, resprouting in spring from 10°F or so.

Gardening facts about Beschorneria albiflora plant

How to Grow Beschorneria albiflora

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun - mostly shade
  • Water Needs

    • regular
  • Soil Needs

    • average
    • well-drained
    • gritty
  • Special Situation

    • heat tolerant
    • verticillium wilt resistant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
  • Flower Color

    • white
    • cream
    • pink
    • red
  • Wildlife

    • hummingbirds
  • Flower Season

    • summer
    • spring
  • Foliage Season

    • evergreen
  • Texture

    • glaucous
Mailing List
Sign Up for updates on new plant arrivals and deals

© 2010—2024 Plant Lust, LLC All Rights Reserved