About
A large, slow-growing, upright evergreen tree to around 4.5m in height, with an open, rounded habit and twisted branches with sharp, grey-green foliage. This iconic tree is a symbol of the American Southwest Mojave desert. Clusters of creamy-white flowers appear in the spring, followed by brown, woody seedpods containing flat black seeds.
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 typeSand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing
ExposureSheltered
UK hardinessH5
Plant details
Plant typeTrees
HabitColumnar upright
FoliageEvergreen
Height4-8 metres
Spread4-8 metres
Time to full heightMore than 50 years
Suggested usesHouseplants, Patio and container plants
Native toCalif. to SW Utah
ToxicitySkin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets (dogs, cats): Harmful if eaten - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
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
PruningNo pruning required
PropagationPropagate by seed, stem cuttings in spring to early summer or offsets in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to aphids, scale insects and mealybugs
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to yucca leaf spot