Yucca brevifolia

RHS Plant Profile

Joshua tree

Trees

A large, slow-growing, upright evergreen tree to around 4.5m in height, with an open, rounded habit and twisted branches with sharp, grey-green foliage. Clusters of creamy-white flowers appear in the spring, followed by brown, woody seedpods containing flat black seeds. This iconic tree is a symbol of the American Southwest Mojave desert

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Sand

Size

Time to Maturity: more than 50 years

Growing Conditions

Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: 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): H5
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: 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: Calif. to SW Utah

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, stem cuttings in spring to early summer or offsets in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

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