Yucca rostrata
beaked yucca
A tree-like shrub to around 3.5m high, with one or more woody stems, and a near spherical rosette of narrow, smooth, spine-tipped, blue-green leaves, 60-90cm long and 1.3-2.5cm wide, rigid near the stem but flexible after the widest point, so that they move in even a slight breeze. The flowering stalk is up to 1.5m long with white flowers in summer or autumn
Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
1.5–2.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Brown | Blue Green | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Brown | White | Blue Green | |
| Autumn | Brown | Blue Green | ||
| Winter | Brown | Blue Green |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H5Botanical details
- Family
- Asparagaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Potentially harmful
- Skin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling
- 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
- Name status
Correct
- Plant range
- USA (Texas) to Mexico
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow outdoors in neutral to alkaline, well-drained soil in full sun, in a hot, sheltered position. See yucca cultivation for further advice
Propagation
Propagate by seed, flowers may require hand-pollination to set seed; or remove rooted suckers
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Architectural
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Mediterranean climate plants
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
No pruning required, remove spent flowering stems
Pests
Diseases
May be susceptible to yucca leaf spot
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.