Does it need a lot of water?

No, it is highly drought tolerant once established and prefers well-draining soil.

Why isn't my yucca blooming?

It may need more direct sunlight or the plant might be too young to reach maturity.

Plant guide

Spineless Yucca.

Yucca filamentosa

Pronounced YUK-uh fil-uh-men-TOH-suh

Also known as Adam's Needle, Adam's-needle, Bear Grass, Needle-palm, Silk-grass, Spoon-leaf Yucca, bear-grass, curry-leaved yucca

This hardy, architectural plant is a fantastic choice for adding a bold, structural element to your garden. It thrives in sunny spots and is remarkably resilient once established. You'll love its dramatic, tall flower spikes that emerge in the summer.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Evergreen shrub
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 14 to 30 days
Mature size: 120 to 240 cm
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 4 to 10
Bloom time: Early to mid summer

Care

Plant this yucca in well draining soil to prevent root rot, as it prefers to dry out between waterings. Keep an eye out for leaf spot or scale insects, though it is generally quite tough. Ensure it gets plenty of sun to encourage those beautiful blooms.

Watering: Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings to avoid root issues.
Feeding: Apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer once in early spring.
Pruning: Remove spent flower stalks and any damaged or dead leaves in late autumn.
Repotting: Repot only when the plant becomes root bound, using a heavy pot to prevent tipping.
Soil: Sandy, rocky, well-draining
Soil pH: Acidic to neutral
Temperature: -25 to 35°C
Humidity: 20 to 50%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 10 to 20 years
Fragrance: Strong
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Plant becoming top-heavy and unstable
Growth slowing significantly during the growing season

Safety

People: The leaves contain saponins which can cause skin irritation upon contact and stomach upset if consumed.
Pets: This plant contains saponins which can cause digestive upset if ingested by cats or dogs.
Children: The sharp, needle-like tips of the leaves pose a significant puncture risk to small children and should be planted away from play areas.
Contact allergens: The sharp, pointed leaf tips can cause mechanical skin injury, and the sap may cause mild contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The pollen is not considered a significant airborne allergen.
Edibility: The flowers are edible when cooked, but the roots and leaves contain saponins that can cause digestive distress if ingested.

How to identify it

Sword shaped, stiff, evergreen leaves
White, thread like filaments on leaf margins
Tall, central panicle of bell shaped flowers
Basal rosette growth habit

Height: 0.9 to 2.4m
Spread: 0.6 to 0.9m
Leaves: blue-green, grey-green, evergreen
Flowers: white, cream, 4 to 7cm
Fruit: brown, black, Autumn

Problems to watch for

Leaf SpotCommon
Yucca Plant BugCommon
Root RotUncommon
Scale InsectsUncommon

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, seed, cuttings
When to plant: spring, early autumn
Overwintering: Leave the foliage intact to provide winter interest and protection for the crown. Ensure the soil remains dry to prevent root rot during wet winter months.
In containers: It grows well in large, heavy pots with excellent drainage, but ensure the container is stable enough to prevent tipping.

Division

1. Dig up the parent plant in early spring.
2. Separate the offsets or pups from the main root mass.
3. Replant the offsets in well-draining soil.

Pair this plant with other low-water, sun-loving perennials to create a low-maintenance xeriscape display.

Grows well with

Purple Coneflower — They share similar requirements for full sun and well-draining soil.
Sedum — These succulents provide a nice textural contrast while thriving in the same dry conditions.

Similar species

Spanish Dagger — It has a similar architectural form but grows into a more tree-like shape.

Science

Family: Asparagaceae
Genus: Yucca
Order: Asparagales
Class: Liliopsida
Native range: Southeastern United States
Conservation: This species is secure and not of conservation concern.

It thrives in dry, sandy, or rocky soils where its deep root system helps it survive extended droughts.

Value to wildlife: pollinated by yucca moths, provides winter cover
Pollinators: moths
Uses: ornamental, xeriscaping, pollinator garden

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 4/9
Light: 8/9
Moisture: 2/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Temperature: 6/9
Nutrients: 2/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need a lot of water?: No, it is highly drought tolerant once established and prefers well-draining soil.
Why isn't my yucca blooming?: It may need more direct sunlight or the plant might be too young to reach maturity.

Where the name comes from

The name Yucca was adopted by Linnaeus from the Caribbean name for cassava, though the plants are unrelated. Filamentosa describes the characteristic curly threads found on the leaves.

Good to know

The specific epithet filamentosa refers to the curly, thread-like fibers that peel from the leaf margins.
Native Americans used the tough leaf fibers to make cordage, baskets, and clothing.
It is often called Adam's Needle because of the sharp, pointed leaf tips.

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.