Create Your Garden

Yucca elephantipes (Spineless Yucca)

Giant Yucca, Spineless Yucca, Yucca gigantea, Yucca guatemalensis

AGM Award
Yucca elephantipes, Giant Yucca, Spineless Yucca, Yucca gigantea, Yucca guatemalensis, evergreen Tree, Drought Tolerant Tree

The tallest of the Yuccas, Yucca elephantipes (Spineless Yucca) is a large, upright succulent shrub or small tree boasting several sparsely branched trunks that thicken over time and resemble an elephant’s foot. They are topped by spiral rosettes of sword-shaped, blue-green leaves that may reach 4 ft. on mature plants. The stiff, leathery, evergreen leaves are smooth and spineless, hence the common name. In summer, mature plants produce a flowering stalk, up to 3 ft. long (90 cm), that rises well above the foliage, and bears large clusters of nodding, creamy-white flowers. The blooms are edible and high in calcium and potassium and can be used in salads. Carefree and durable, Spineless Yucca makes a dramatic landscape statement. Adding vertical structure to the landscape, it is a great specimen plant for xeriscape gardens and blends well in either tropical, Mediterranean or arid gardens. It is also widely grown in containers where it rarely produces any flowers.

  • Recipient of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society.
  • Grows up to 15-30 ft. high (4-9 m) and 15-25 ft. wide (4-8 m).
  • Easily grown in sandy, dry to medium, well-drained soils in full sun. Drought tolerant.
  • Great for beds and borders, containers, coastal gardens or Mediterranean gardens.
  • Virtually pest and disease free, but keep an eye out for aphids or potential leaf spot. Deer and rabbit resistant
  • Pruning not normally needed, but damaged leaves and spent flower spikes can be removed as necessary in the spring.
  • Propagate by seed, sown in spring at 66-75°F (19-24°C). Flowers may need hand-pollination to set seed. Rooted suckers can be removed in spring or take root cuttings in winter.
  • Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.
  • Native to Mexico, Guatemala.

Yucca: Plant Care and Growing Guide


Here are some tips on how to plant and grow yucca successfully

Requirements

Hardiness 9 - 11
Heat Zones 10 - 12
Climate Zones 12, 13, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Shrubs, Trees
Plant Family Asparagaceae
Genus Yucca
Common names Spineless Yucca, Yucca
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 15' - 30'
(4.6m - 9.1m)
Spread 15' - 25'
(4.6m - 7.6m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Mediterranean Garden, Coastal Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Yucca
Guides with
Yucca
Not sure which Yucca to pick?
Compare Now

Alternative Plants to Consider

Yucca brevifolia (Joshua Tree)
Yucca filamentosa ‘Color Guard’ (Adam’s Needle)
Yucca filamentosa ‘Excalibur’ (Adam’s Needle)
Yucca elata (Soaptree Yucca)
Yucca whipplei (Our Lord’s Candle)
Hesperaloe parviflora (Red Yucca)

Recommended Companion Plants

Delosperma cooperi (Ice Plant)
Senecio mandraliscae (Blue Chalksticks)
Strelitzia reginae (Bird of Paradise)
Aeonium arboreum

Find In One of Our Guides or Gardens

Yucca: Plant Care and Growing Guide
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Buy Plants

Requirements

Hardiness 9 - 11
Heat Zones 10 - 12
Climate Zones 12, 13, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Shrubs, Trees
Plant Family Asparagaceae
Genus Yucca
Common names Spineless Yucca, Yucca
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 15' - 30'
(4.6m - 9.1m)
Spread 15' - 25'
(4.6m - 7.6m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low, Average
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit
Attracts Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders, Patio And Containers
Garden Styles Mediterranean Garden, Coastal Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Yucca
Guides with
Yucca
Not sure which Yucca to pick?
Compare Now

Gardening Ideas

Plant Calculator

How many Yucca elephantipes (Spineless Yucca) do I need for my garden?

Input your garden space dimensions

Your Shopping List

Plant Quantity
Yucca elephantipes (Spineless Yucca) N/A Buy Plants

Please Login to Proceed

You Have Reached The Free Limit, Please Subscribe to Proceed

Subscribe to Gardenia

To create additional collections, you must be a paid member of Gardenia
  • Add as many plants as you wish
  • Create and save up to 25 garden collections
Become a Member

Plant Added Successfully

You have Reached Your Limit

To add more plants, you must be a paid member of our site Become a Member

Update Your Credit
Card Information

Cancel

Create a New Collection

Sign Up to Our Newsletter

    You have been subscribed successfully

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Join Gardenia.net

    Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.

    Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.

    Join now and start creating your dream garden!

    Find your Hardiness Zone

    Find your Heat Zone

    Find your Climate Zone