Yucca aloifolia

RHS Plant Profile

Spanish bayonet

RHS 2002

Other common names

dagger plant

Conservatory Greenhouse Shrubs

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an evergreen shrub with a simple or sparsely branched stem bearing a terminal rosette of sharp-pointed, sword-shaped leaves, and nodding, bell-shaped white or purple-tinged flowers 8cm across in a terminal panicle

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 10–20 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or West–facing or East–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): H3
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: Tufted
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: SE USA to Mexico

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass grow in peat-free, loam-based compost keeping just moist in winter. Grow outdoors in containers and over-winter indoors. See yucca cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown in spring at 19-24°C. Flowers may need hand-pollination to set seed. Rooted suckers can be removed in spring or take root cuttings in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Patio and container plants
Mediterranean climate plants
Architectural
City and courtyard gardens

Pruning

Pruning not normally needed, but damaged leaves and spent flower spikes can be removed as necessary in the spring

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids on flower spikes and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to leaf spot