Scientific Name
Yucca gloriosa L.
Common Name(s)
Spanish Dagger, Adam's Needle, Lord's Candlestick, Mound Lily, Mound Lily Yucca, Palm Lily, Roman Candle, Sea Islands Yucca, Soft Tip Yucca, Soft Tipped Yucca, Spanish Bayonet, Tree Lily, Curve Leaf Yucca, Pendulous Yucca, Weeping Yucca
Scientific Classification
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Agavoideae
Genus: Yucca
Description
Yucca gloriosa is a relatively slow-growing shrub or a small tree usually with a single stem or rarely with several stems arising from the base and topped by a cluster of stiff sword-like glaucous-green leaves. It grows up to 8 feet (2.4 m) tall. Leaves are linear, usually with smooth or rarely finely toothed margins and a pointed tip. They are up to 20 inches (50 cm) long and 2 inches (5 cm) wide. Flowers are bell-shaped, creamy-white, sometimes tinged with red or purple, and appear in late summer arranged in a panicle borne on a 4 feet (1.2 m) long stalk with the lower portion resting among the leaves. Fruits are leathery, elongated, 6-lobed, and up to 3.2 inches (8 cm) long berries.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 7a to 11b: from 0 °F (−17.8 °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 Yucca 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.
See more at How to Grow and Care for Yucca.
Origin
This species is native to the southern United States, from North Carolina to Florida.
Cultivars
Links
- Back to genus Yucca
- Succupedia: Browse succulents by Scientific Name, Common Name, Genus, Family, USDA Hardiness Zone, Origin, or cacti by Genus
Photo Gallery
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