- Botanical name: Yucca filifera
- Common name: Palma china
- Family: Asparagaceae
- Plant Type: Tree, Evergreen
White
Green
- Key features:
- Dramatic foliage
Yucca filifera is one of the fastest-growing yuccas, native to northern Mexico. It forms a branched tree topped with spear-shaped, upwards-facing leaves with curled filaments that appear as peeling threads from the edges. It’s not fully hardy in the UK unless kept completely dry in winter, which is difficult given its eventual height of 9m (although it rarely grows to this height in the UK). However, if space allows, it’s well worth growing in the conservatory or greenhouse. In milder regions it’s perfect for growing in a tropical planting scheme, and provides excellent structural interest. Mature plants bear large clusters of creamy, bell-shaped flowers in early summer.
Grow Yucca filifera in very free-draining soil or compost in a sheltered spot in full sun. Protect from winter wet or grow in a container which you can move indoors in autumn. If the plant grows too tall you can simply chop the trunk to your desired height – new branches will form beneath it.
How to grow Yucca filifera
-
Plant size
9m height
1.5m spread
-
Aspect
South facing, west facing
-
Position in border
Back
- Sun exposure: Full sun
- Hardiness: Frost hardy
- Soil type: Well drained / light / sandy
Plant calendar
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
J
Do not Plant in January |
F
Do not Plant in February |
M
Do not Plant in March |
A
Do not Plant in April |
M
Do Plant in May |
J
Do Plant in June |
J
Do not Plant in July |
A
Do not Plant in August |
S
Do not Plant in September |
O
Do not Plant in October |
N
Do not Plant in November |
D
Do not Plant in December |
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Flowers |
J
Plant does not flower in January |
F
Plant does not flower in February |
M
Plant does not flower in March |
A
Plant does not flower in April |
M
Plant does not flower in May |
J
Plant does flower in June |
J
Plant does not flower in July |
A
Plant does not flower in August |
S
Plant does not flower in September |
O
Plant does not flower in October |
N
Plant does not flower in November |
D
Plant does not flower in December |
Yucca filifera and wildlife
Yucca filifera has no particular known value to wildlife in the UK.
Is Yucca filifera poisonous?
Yucca filifera has no toxic effects reported.
No reported toxicity to Birds
No reported toxicity to Cats
No reported toxicity to Dogs
No reported toxicity to Horses
No reported toxicity to Livestock
No reported toxicity to People
