Yucca elata
soap tree
A tall, dense, slow-growing evergreen perennial with a rosette of long, narrow, sharply pointed grey-green to blue-green foliage with white margins and white fibres. Masses of white, waxy flowers appear in late spring on tall, showy flower spikes. Plants in the wild can get to a height of around 5m but those grown in the UK no more than around 3m
Size
Ultimate height
2.5–4 metresTime to ultimate height
10–20 yearsUltimate spread
2.5–4 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | White | Blue Green Grey Silver | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Blue Green Grey Silver | |||
| Autumn | Blue Green Grey Silver | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing
Exposure
ShelteredDrought resistance
Yes Hardiness
H5Botanical 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
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in a sheltered position in full sun, in well-drained soil or in a pot as a houseplant in well-drained, peat-free compost. Shelter from strong winds
Propagation
Propagate by seed, stem cuttings in spring to early summer or offsets in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Houseplants
- Patio and container plants
- Conservatory and greenhouse
Pruning
No pruning required
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids, scale insects and mealybugs
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.