Shrub - Adam's Needle - Yucca

Adam’s Needle/Yucca

Botanical Name

:

Yucca filamentosa

Plant Type

:

Evergreen shrub

Seasons

:

Year-round, flowers in late spring or early summer

Sun Level

:

Full Sun to Partial Shade (at least 6 hours per day)

Ideal Soil Temperature for Planting

:

65–75°F (18–24°C); Warm enough for active root growth, but not excessively hot

Soil Type

:

Well-drained, sandy, loamy, or chalky

Hardiness Zones

:

5–10 (USDA)

Germination

:

4–6 weeks

P.H. Level

:

Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0–7.0)

Water/Irrigation

:

Water occasionally during the first year to establish roots. Drought-tolerant once established

Fertilization

:

Not necessary but a light application of a balanced fertilizer in spring can benefit poor soils

Habit

:

Forms a rosette of rigid, sword-shaped leaves with a tall flowering stalk

Propagation

:

Seeds, cuttings, and divisions

Final Plant Height

:

3–8ft

Spread

:

2–3 ft

Flowers

:

Tall, erect flower stalk with drooping, bell-shaped white flowers

Attracts

:

Moths (specifically Yucca moths, which have a symbiotic relationship with Yuccas), hummingbirds

Uses

:

Ornamental landscaping, xeriscaping, rock gardens

Companions

:

Coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, prairie grasses, blanket flowers

Pruning

:

Remove dead leaves or spent flower stalks as needed. Generally low-maintenance

Toxicity

:

Non-toxic to humans but mildly toxic to pets if ingested

Pests

:

Yucca plant bugs, scale insects, and mealybugs

Diseases

:

Root rot if overwatered, occasional fungal leaf spots

Additional Info

:

The yucca moth (Tegeticula yuccasella) has a unique symbiotic relationship with the plant—it is both its primary pollinator and dependent on it for reproduction

Botanical Name

:

Yucca filamentosa

Plant Type

:

Evergreen shrub

Seasons

:

Year-round, flowers in late spring or early summer

Sun Level

:

Full Sun to Partial Shade (at least 6 hours per day)

Ideal Soil Temperature for Planting

:

65–75°F (18–24°C); Warm enough for active root growth, but not excessively hot

Soil Type

:

Well-drained, sandy, loamy, or chalky

Hardiness Zones

:

5–10 (USDA)

Germination

:

4–6 weeks

P.H. Level

:

Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0–7.0)

Water/Irrigation

:

Water occasionally during the first year to establish roots. Drought-tolerant once established

Fertilization

:

Not necessary but a light application of a balanced fertilizer in spring can benefit poor soils

Habit

:

Forms a rosette of rigid, sword-shaped leaves with a tall flowering stalk

Propagation

:

Seeds, cuttings, and divisions

Final Plant Height

:

3–8ft

Spread

:

2–3 ft

Flowers

:

Tall, erect flower stalk with drooping, bell-shaped white flowers

Attracts

:

Moths (specifically Yucca moths, which have a symbiotic relationship with Yuccas), hummingbirds

Uses

:

Ornamental landscaping, xeriscaping, rock gardens

Companions

:

Coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, prairie grasses, blanket flowers

Pruning

:

Remove dead leaves or spent flower stalks as needed. Generally low-maintenance

Toxicity

:

Non-toxic to humans but mildly toxic to pets if ingested

Pests

:

Yucca plant bugs, scale insects, and mealybugs

Diseases

:

Root rot if overwatered, occasional fungal leaf spots

Additional Info

:

The yucca moth (Tegeticula yuccasella) has a unique symbiotic relationship with the plant—it is both its primary pollinator and dependent on it for reproduction

Written by Nondiah Khalayi – https://www.linkedin.com/in/nondiah-khalayi/