A big Chihuahuan Desert relative of red yucca, with stiff, upright lime-green leaves edged in curling white fibers. It holds a bold, architectural shape all year, takes full and reflected sun, and is cold hardy far below anything Phoenix sees.
Living with it in the Phoenix Valley
Watering
Follow the shrub, groundcover and succulent schedule in our Landscape Care guide. More water gives faster, fuller growth, but it does fine on little once established. Avoid low spots where water collects.
Pruning
Never shear the leaves, which ruins the shape. Cut spent flower stalks at the base once they dry, usually by early summer.
Soil
It prefers rocky, fast-draining soil and handles alkaline ground well.
How our designers use it
Vertical accent
Its upright, fountain-like form gives height and structure to large gravel beds, alone or in groups.
Hot, reflected spots
It holds up beside west walls, driveways and pool decks where reflected heat defeats many plants.
Large spaces only
It needs far more room than red yucca. We keep it out of narrow beds where the long, arching leaves would crowd paths.
Good to know
Around the pool
It has no marginal teeth and little litter, which makes it one of the easier large accents near a pool. The flower stalks draw bees and other pollinators while in bloom.
