Guayule is susceptible to several insect and disease pathogens. Land preparation is similar to that for other row crops grown in the area with plants either transplanted or direct-seeded on beds about 1m apart. A distance between plants of about 0.3 m is used. Guayule seed shatters easily when ripe and can be harvested either by hand or mechanically. Seed can be harvested 2-3 times under dryland conditions and up to five times under irrigation.
Fresh seed is dormant and needs to be treated for maximum germination.
Minimal amounts of fertilizer are needed for Guayule, depending upon the soil fertility level. Optimum harvest time of the plants for maximum latex and rubber yields is the spring. Clipping height and date are important for maximum regrowth. While mature plants seem able to tolerate higher levels of salt in the irrigation water, freshly planted and clipped plants do not. Experimental harvesters have been developed for harvesting guayule seed and shrubs.