Yucca filifera

RHS Plant Profile
St. Peter's palm

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Yucca filifera?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants
St. Peter's palm RHS / Janet Cubey

Other common names

tree yucca

Conservatory Greenhouse Trees
Buy this from Plant Nurseries
5 Suppliers

eventually forms a tall, sparsely-branched evergreen tree but is usually seen in cultivation with a single, short trunk. The stiff, spine-tipped leaves, up to 50cm long, have peeling, thread-like edges and are arranged in a dense rosette. Mature plants produce large, hanging clusters of creamy, bell-shaped flowers

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

8-12 metres

Max Spread

2.5-4 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
20–50 years
Max Spread
2.5-4 metres
Max Height
8-12 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–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)
H4

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
Plant Range
Mexico

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in very well-drained soil in full sun in a sheltered position, or grow under glass in gritty compost. Needs to be kept almost dry over winter. See yucca cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed or remove rooted suckers

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Architectural
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Coastal
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Patio and container plants
  • Wall side borders

Pruning

No pruning required, but dead leaves can be removed to improve appearance. Overlarge plants can be cut back in late spring and will reshoot from the trunk

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids on flower spikes and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to leaf spot