Yucca flaccida

RHS Plant Profile

Adam's needle

Other common names

Adam's needle, bear grass

Synonyms

Yucca smalliana

Shrubs

A small, stemless evergreen shrub to around 150cm in height, forming a clump of dark green, sword-shaped spike leaves, tending to droop at the tips. Bell-shaped, creamy-white flowers appear on tall spikes above the foliage in mid to late summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 1-1.5 metres
Max Height: 1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H4
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Asparagaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Bushy
Potentially harmful: Skin 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
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

How to Grow

Cultivation

Easy to grow in sheltered, well-drained beds, where there is full sun all day. See yucca cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by bud cuttings which are treated as softwood cuttings or take stem cuttings which are treated as hardwood cuttings. Root cuttings can also be used. division of clumps is also possible

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Architectural
City and courtyard gardens
Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Mediterranean climate plants
Patio and container plants
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids on flower spikes and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to yucca leaf spot