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Yucca whipplei (Our Lord’s Candle)

Our Lord's Candle, Spanish Bayonet, Chaparral Yucca, Foothill Yucca, Quixote Yucca, Hesperoyucca whipplei, Yucca peninsularis

Yucca whipplei, Our Lord's Candle, Spanish Bayonet, Chaparral Yucca, Hesperoyucca whipplei, Yucca peninsularis, Drought tolerant Evergreen, Hardy succulent
Yucca whipplei, Our Lord's Candle, Spanish Bayonet, Chaparral Yucca, Hesperoyucca whipplei, Yucca peninsularis, Drought tolerant Evergreen, Hardy succulent
Yucca whipplei, Our Lord's Candle, Spanish Bayonet, Chaparral Yucca, Hesperoyucca whipplei, Yucca peninsularis, Drought tolerant Evergreen, Hardy succulent
Yucca whipplei, Our Lord's Candle, Spanish Bayonet, Chaparral Yucca, Hesperoyucca whipplei, Yucca peninsularis, Drought tolerant Evergreen, Hardy succulent
Yucca whipplei

Yucca whipplei (Our Lord’s Candle) is an evergreen shrub forming a dense, trunkless rosette of narrow, linear, gray-blue leaves, up to 3 ft. long (90 cm). The leaves display sharply toothed edges and needlelike tips. In summer, mature plants (over 5 years) are topped with a striking flowering stalk, up to 6-14 ft. long (180-420 cm), that rises well above the foliage, and bears hundreds of scented, drooping, creamy-white flowers, often tinged with purple. They are held in a massive cluster, about 3 ft. long (90 cm), and are followed by dry winged capsules, which split open at maturity to release their seeds. The rosette dies after flowering, but is usually replaced by one or more offsets. This species is highly tolerant of drought, heat and frost. It withstands temperatures as low as 10°F (-12°C). Yucca whipplei is incredibly spectacular when in bloom and makes an outstanding accent plant. The scented flowers and low maintenance make it a great choice for dry and water-wise landscapes.

  • Leaves form a foliage clump to 3 ft. tall (90 cm) and 6 ft. wide (180 cm).
  • Easily grown in dry, well-drained soils in full sun. Occasional to infrequent summer irrigation needed, but will grow faster if well watered.
  • Deer and rabbit resistant, this plant attracts hummingbirds
  • Provide a striking focal point in beds and borders, gravel gardens, xeriscape gardens, Mediterranean gardens.
  • Propagate by seed or remove rooted suckers.
  • Toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses.
  • Native from California to Mexico.

Yucca: Plant Care and Growing Guide


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

Requirements

Hardiness 7 - 9
Heat Zones 7 - 9
Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Cactus & Succulents
Plant Family Asparagaceae
Genus Yucca
Common names Spanish Bayonet, Yucca
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 3' - 14'
(90cm - 4.3m)
Spread 5' - 6'
(150cm - 180cm)
Spacing 72" (180cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants United States, California, Southwest, Arizona
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Mediterranean Garden, City and Courtyard
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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 elephantipes (Spineless Yucca)
Hesperaloe parviflora (Red Yucca)

Recommended Companion Plants

Senecio mandraliscae (Blue Chalksticks)
Agave ‘Blue Glow’
Lavandula x intermedia ‘Grosso’ (Lavender)
Opuntia ‘Baby Rita’ (Prickly Pear)

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.
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Requirements

Hardiness 7 - 9
Heat Zones 7 - 9
Climate Zones 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Cactus & Succulents
Plant Family Asparagaceae
Genus Yucca
Common names Spanish Bayonet, Yucca
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 3' - 14'
(90cm - 4.3m)
Spread 5' - 6'
(150cm - 180cm)
Spacing 72" (180cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Low
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants United States, California, Southwest, Arizona
Tolerance Drought, Deer, Rabbit, Dry Soil, Rocky Soil
Attracts Hummingbirds
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Gravel and Rock Garden, Mediterranean Garden, City and Courtyard
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Yucca
Guides with
Yucca
Not sure which Yucca to pick?
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