Consulta Plantas

Care of the shrub Yucca schidigera or Mojave yucca

The genus Yucca, family Asparagaceae, comprises 50 species of evergreen shrubs native to Mexico, the United States, and the Caribbean. Some species are: Yucca schidigera, Yucca rostrata, Yucca mixtecana, Yucca gloriosa, Yucca filifera, Yucca elephantipes, Yucca desmetiana, Yucca carnerosana, Yucca aloifolia, Yucca thompsoniana, Yucca whipplei, Yucca baccata.

Common names: Mojave yucca, Spanish dagger. This species is native to the Mohave and Sonora deserts, between Mexico and the US.

They are evergreen plants with a shrubby habit and slow growth that reach 5 meters (16.4 feet) in height. The leaves are light green or yellowish in color, 1 meter (3.28 feet) long and have white filaments on the margin. The flowers appear in spikes and are white or cream with purple tones. They bloom in summer.

They are used as isolated specimens, in rockeries, on slopes and in large pots.

Yucca schidigera needs full sun exposure and a warm, dry climate. They resist frost down to -10 ºC (14 ºF).

They can grow in any soil that has excellent drainage; they are capable of growing in rocky, sandy and poor soils.

Water moderately, waiting for the soil to be well dry.

Fertilize in spring with slow release mineral fertilizer.

Prune off wilted flower stems.

They are resistant plants to the usual pests and diseases.

They are propagated from seeds sown in spring or late winter in a seedbed with slightly moist sandy substrate.

Images of the shrub Yucca schidigera or Mojave yucca