Yucca elephantipes /ˈjʌkə/
Common name: Yucca · Spineless yucca · Giant yucca
Yucca elephantipes is an evergreen shrub or small tree native to Mexico and Central America, with a thick, often branched trunk topped by rosettes of long, sword-shaped leaves. It is a popular, drought-tolerant houseplant and, in warm climates, an architectural landscape tree.
Care summary
Sun
Bright indirect light to full sun
Water
Water sparingly; let soil dry out
Soil
Well-draining, gritty or sandy mix
Hardiness
Zones 9–11
Mature height
Up to 2.5 m (8 ft) indoors, 9 m (30 ft) outdoors
Pet safe
Toxic to cats and dogs if ingested
Difficulty
Easy
Propagation
Propagates easily from stem or trunk sections and basal offsets. Cut a section of cane, let the cut end dry for a day or two, then set it in gritty, barely moist compost in bright light until roots form; remove and pot up suckers at the base the same way.
Fun facts
- Mature outdoor plants produce tall spikes of large, white, bell-shaped flowers.
- It is less sharp-tipped than other yuccas, which is why it's called the spineless yucca.
- Indoor plants rarely flower because they need full sun and maturity to bloom.