About
A tiny, cushion-forming, annual or biennial crucifer to about 5cm tall from high-altitude, arid steppes of South America with small, spoon-shaped, grey-green leaves and tiny, white to pale yellow, four-petalled flowers. A rare and specialist rock garden or alpine trough plant for sharply drained, poor, dry conditions.
About the genus
Yucca can be evergreen perennials, shrubs or trees, with dense or loose rosettes of stiff, sword-shaped leaves and tall panicles of bell-shaped flowers
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained, Well-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH3
Plant details
Plant typeConservatory Greenhouse, Shrubs
HabitTufted
FoliageEvergreen
Height1.5-2.5 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height10-20 years
Suggested usesPatio and container plants, Mediterranean climate plants, Architectural, City and courtyard gardens
Native toSE USA to Mexico
ToxicitySkin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling 19162,yucca-angustissima,Yucca angustissima,,A small
Care notes
CultivationUnder glass grow in peat-free, loam-based compost keeping just moist in winter. Grow outdoors in containers and over-winter indoors. See yucca cultivation for further advice
PruningPruning not normally needed, but damaged leaves and spent flower spikes can be removed as necessary in the spring
PropagationPropagate by seed, sown in spring at 19-24°C. Flowers may need hand-pollination to set seed. Rooted suckers can be removed in spring or take root cuttings in winter
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids on flower spikes and snails
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to leaf spot