Scientific Name
Yucca brevifolia Engelm.
Common Names
Joshua Tree, Yucca Palm, Tree Yucca, Palm Tree Yucca
Synonyms
Yucca brevifolia var. brevifolia, Cleistoyucca arborescens, Clistoyucca arborescens, Clistoyucca brevifolia, Sarcoyucca brevifolia, Yucca arborescens, Yucca jaegeriana
Scientific Classification
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Agavoideae
Genus: Yucca
Description
Yucca brevifolia is a tree-like plant with a columnar, much-branched trunk forming a weird and picturesque open crown. It grows up to 40 feet (12 m) tall. Leaves are stiff, up to 14 inches (35 cm) long, blue-green with yellow margins. The broad flower spikes are short, usually less than 3 feet (1.2 m), with a candelabra of side branches graced by fragrant, bell-shaped, 1.5 inches (3.7 cm) long, creamy-white flowers.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zones 6a to 10b: from −10 °F (−23.3 °C) to 40 °F (+4.4 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Under the right conditions, Yuccas are not difficult plants to grow. They tend to thrive on a bit of neglect rather than too much attention. They are especially easy to overwater, and soggy stems are a sign of too much water. The best conditions for Yuccas include a sunny corner with relatively low humidity. They are not prone to many pests, although scale can be an issue. Over time, plants will typically lose their lower leaves (in nature, they droop, forming a skirt around the trunk), giving the plant a pleasant "tree-like" appearance.
Yuccas are relatively slow-growing plants that should only need to be repotted every other year. They do well slightly pot-bound as long as they don't become heavy enough to tip over their containers. Repotting larger plants can be difficult, so larger plants can be refreshed with new potting soil by digging out the top 2 inches (5 cm) of the container and adding new soil. During typical repotting, remove the plant from its container and go up one container size. Always use fresh potting soil.
Learn more at How to Grow and Care for Yucca.
Origin
Native to the arid southwestern United States, specifically California, Arizona, Utah, and Nevada, where it is confined mainly to the Mojave Desert, between 1,300 and 5,900 feet (400 and 1,800 m) elevation.
Links
- Back to genus Yucca
- Succulentopedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
