Yucca gloriosa

RHS Plant Profile
Spanish dagger

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Spanish dagger RHS 1999
Spanish dagger RHS 1999
Spanish dagger RHS 1999
Spanish dagger Dorling Kindersley 2003
Spanish dagger RHS 1999

Other common names

Adam's needle, Lord's candlestick, mound lily, Roman candle, tree lily, palm lily

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Shrubs
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a medium-sized evergreen shrub with usually a single stem, topped by a cluster of spine-tipped, stiff, glaucous-green leaves to 60cm in length. Panicles to 2m in height, of nodding, bell-shaped cream flowers in late summer

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1.5-2.5 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or East–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)
H5

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
SE USA

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow outdoors in any well-drained soil in full sun. Flowers may require hand-pollination to set seed. Remove spent flowering stems. 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
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Mediterranean climate 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 a leaf spot