Yucca rostrata

RHS Plant Profile

beaked yucca

Trees

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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

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

2.5-4 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 1.5-2.5 metres
Max Height: 2.5-4 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: 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): H5
Drought Resistance: Yes

Colour & Scent

Fragrance Flower

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Asparagaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Columnar upright
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
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

May be susceptible to aphids on flower spikes, and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to yucca leaf spot