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Yucca gigantea

Previously known as:

  • Yucca elephantipes
  • Yucca guatemalensis
Phonetic Spelling
YUK-ah jy-GAN-tee-ah
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

The giant yucca or spineless yucca is a tropical perennial grown for its stunning foliage. It is a popular, low-maintenance indoor and outdoor plant that presents as a large, upright succulent shrub or small tree. It is native to Central America and is a member of the asparagus family (Asparagaceae). Unlike other species of Yucca, this plant does not have sharp, spine-tipped leaves. It was formerly known as Yucca elephantipes, whose specific epithet referred to the plant's thick trunk that resembles an elephant's foot. Outdoors, this plant can grow up to 15 to 30 feet tall and 15 to 25 feet wide. If grown as a houseplant, it will be much more compact. 

The giant yucca prefers full sun, and moist, well-drained, loam and sandy soil. For houseplants, one part potting mix and 3 parts perlite or sand is recommended to provide good drainage. This plant is drought tolerant, and overwatering can be problematic. Indoor temperatures and humidity levels are adequate for this plant but keep it away from cold drafts or sudden temperature changes. When grown outdoors, it thrives in warm climates with temperatures between 70 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. The plant is winter hardy in USDA hardiness zones 10 to 12.  It will need to be brought indoors when the temperature drops below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Cold and freezing temperatures can lead to plant damage and dieback. This plant can be propagated by seeds, cuttings, and from suckers found at the base of the tree or shrub.

The giant yucca has evergreen, smooth, spineless, leathery, stiff leaves that are pale green to blue-green, linear or lanceolate with soft tips. The leaves are arranged in spiral rosettes and can measure 12 to 18 inches long. The flowers bloom in late spring or summer and are creamy-white and bell-shaped that present in clusters on tall stalks. The fruit is oval, fleshy, and brown and does not appear to attract wildlife. The trunk of the plant is thick and woody. 

The giant yucca can be used in the garden or indoors. It can be used as a container plant on a patio or planted in beds or borders for a coastal or tropical appearance. Indoors, this plant's striking vertical structure is a perfect accent for your home. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  The giant yucca is generally free of insects and diseases. Monitor for mealybugs, aphids, scale, black weevil, and yucca moth borers. Overwatering can cause root rot.  Avoid planting near foundations due to its massive base. As the plant matures, it will be very difficult to remove. The leaves and roots are toxic to humans, cats, dogs, and horses. 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Marginata'
    pale green leaves with a narrow cream colored stripe on both edges of the leaf, small teeth on the margins, and soft tips
  • 'Variegata'
    soft tipped, flexible, 12 to 18-inch, pale green leaves with broad cream-colored stripes
'Marginata', 'Variegata'
Tags:
#evergreen#small tree#full sun tolerant#houseplant#drought tolerant#white flowers#shrub#succulent#easy to grow#edible flowers#rabbit resistant#multistemmed#deer resistant#tropical evergreen#leathery leaves#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#problem for horses#tropical feel#tropical#container plant#poisonous if ingested#poisonous leaves#foliage
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Marginata'
    pale green leaves with a narrow cream colored stripe on both edges of the leaf, small teeth on the margins, and soft tips
  • 'Variegata'
    soft tipped, flexible, 12 to 18-inch, pale green leaves with broad cream-colored stripes
'Marginata', 'Variegata'
Tags:
#evergreen#small tree#full sun tolerant#houseplant#drought tolerant#white flowers#shrub#succulent#easy to grow#edible flowers#rabbit resistant#multistemmed#deer resistant#tropical evergreen#leathery leaves#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#problem for horses#tropical feel#tropical#container plant#poisonous if ingested#poisonous leaves#foliage
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Yucca
    Species:
    gigantea
    Family:
    Asparagaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Central Mexico to Central America
    Distribution:
    Native: Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico Central, Mexico Gulf, Mexico Southeast, Mexico Southwest, Nicaragua, and Panama. Introduced: Ecuador, El Salvador, Leeward Islands, Portugal, Puerto Rico, and Spain.
    Edibility:
    The flowers are edible and can be used in salad. They are rich source of calcium and potassium.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 15 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 15 ft. 0 in. - 25 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Houseplant
    Perennial
    Poisonous
    Shrub
    Succulent
    Tree
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Irregular
    Multi-stemmed
    Open
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12-24 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    The fruit is oval, brown, fleshy, and measures 0.5 to 1-inch in diameter. It is not showy and does not attract wildlife.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Cream/Tan
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Bell
    Flower Description:
    They have large creamy white to white bell-shaped flowers that appear in clusters and bloom on 2 to 3 feet tall stalks in late spring to summer. Houseplants rarely flower.
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Blue
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Leathery
    Smooth
    Leaf Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Linear
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The leaves are arranged in spiral rosettes and are sword-like, linear, or lanceolate-shaped and can measure 12 to 18 inches long. They are soft tipped, flexible, pale green to bluish-green, and the margins may be entire or have small teeth. The leaves are stiff, leathery, evergreen, smooth, and spineless.
  • Bark:
    Bark Color:
    Light Gray
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Coastal
    Container
    Houseplants
    Patio
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Border
    Small Tree
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Hummingbirds
    Moths
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Rabbits
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Children
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    If ingested, toxic to humans, pets, and horses. Symptoms for humans: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, dizziness; Symptoms for dogs and cats: vomiting; Symptoms for horses: liver disease; The highest concentration of saponins is found in the roots and leaves of the plant. The sap of the plant can cause minor rashes.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    saponin
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Leaves
    Roots