Yucca aloifolia, Dagger Plant or Aloe Yucca, is a tall, arborescent Yucca that gradually branches from the base and forms a tight colony of rosettes. It is one of the hardiest of the Yuccas and is closely related to Yucca gloriosa. Yucca aloifolia is the type species for the genus and has been in cultivation in Europe since 1603 and was described by Linnaeus in 1753.
As with many of the Yucca species the tips of the leaves of Yucca aloifolia have a sharp terminal spine so care needs to be taken on their positioning away from high-footfall areas. Not the most child-friendly plant, they nonetheless form an extremely handsome architectural plant if you have the location and space, eventually forming a tall trunk. It is not as particular about its soil as some Yuccas and although a well-drained alkaline soil is best, it will usually do well in most garden soils.
The white bell-shaped flowers are borne on a tall inflorescence in summer.
Additional Information
Order | Asparagales |
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Family | Asparagaceae |
Sub-Family | Agavoideae |
Synonyms | Dracaena lenneana, Sarcoyucca aloifolia, Yucca aloifolia var. aloifolia, Yucca aloifolia var. arcuata, Yucca aloifolia f. arcuata, Yucca aloifolia var. conspicua, Yucca aloifolia f. conspicua, Yucca aloifolia f. crenulata, Yucca aloifolia var. draconis, Yucca aloifolia f. draconis, Yucca aloifolia var. flexifolia, Yucca aloifolia var. gigantea, Yucca aloifolia var. marginata, Yucca aloifolia var. menandi, Yucca aloifolia var. purpurea, Yucca aloifolia var. quadricolor-variegata, Yucca aloifolia var. roseomarginata, Yucca aloifolia var. serratifolia, Yucca aloifolia var. stenophylla, Yucca aloifolia var. tenuifolia, Yucca aloifolia var. tricolor, Yucca aloifolia var. variegata, Yucca aloifolia var. versicolor, Yucca aloifolia var. yucatana, Yucca arcuata, Yucca atkinsii, Yucca conspicua, Yucca crenulata, Yucca draconis, Yucca haruckeriana, Yucca parmentieri, Yucca purpurea, Yucca quadricolor, Yucca serrulata, Yucca striata, Yucca tenuifolia, Yucca tricolor, Yucca yucatana |
Geographical Origin | USA, Mexico, Carribean |
Cultivation | Full sun. Good drainage. A sandy, gritty alkaline soil to which has been added some limestone chippings |
Eventual Height | 5m |
Eventual Spread | 2m |
Hardiness | Very hardy, down to at least -20C with a well-drained substrate |
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