Carol Cloud Bailey
Family
Agavaceae
Botanical Name
Yucca aloifolia
Plant Common Name
Aloe Yucca
General Description
This beautiful white yucca is favored in southern gardens where it is often found in pedestal urns around old homes. Aloe yucca is native to southeastern America, from the Carolinas to Louisiana, and can also be found on some Caribbean Islands. It tends to grow along dunes and ancient shell mounds with little fertility. Surprisingly, it is not well-adapted to the dry, inland deserts of the western United States.
Aloe yucca has flexible, linear blades that rise from a dense, tight rosette. Each blade is armed with a wickedly sharp leaf tip. Plants produce a trunk-like stem over time that may branch with age. Tall stalks of ivory white, bell-shaped flowers appear in summer. These are pollinated under moonlight by moths. Bulbous green fruit capsules follow that turn dry, brown and split open when fully ripe.
Full sun and well-drained, average to poor, sandy soil are best for this resilient plant, and little care and maintenance are needed to keep it performing well. In the landscape, Yucca are grown as specimen plants to draw visual focus to specific garden areas. They offer fine textured foliage along with bold, architectural forms. As with many Yucca, Aloe yucca is vulnerable to agave snout nose weevil.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
11 - 1
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USDA Hardiness Zone
6 - 11
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Sunset Zone
7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Perennial
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
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Height
10'-25' / 3.0m - 7.6m
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Width
12'-15' / 3.7m - 4.6m
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Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
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Native To
Southeastern United States, South-Central United States, Caribbean
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Drought, Salt
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Growth Rate
Slow
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Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
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Habit
Rosette/Stemless
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Ivory
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Green, Dark Green
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Coarse
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall, Tropical
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Sharp or Has Thorns
Yes
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Invasive
No
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Self-Sowing
No
