Yucca brevifolia
western joshua tree
Mojave Desert, southwestern United States
Overview
Yucca brevifolia is a slow-growing, tree-like evergreen in the asparagus family, reaching 15-40 feet (4.5-12 m) tall with a stout, fibrous trunk and an irregular branching crown. Each branch ends in a dense rosette of stiff, sharp-pointed leaves 6-14 inches (15-35 cm) long, blue-green with finely toothed margins. Mature plants produce upright clusters 12-20 inches (30-50 cm) tall of creamy white to greenish bell-shaped flowers in late winter and spring, though flowering does not occur every year. The flowers are pollinated only by yucca moths, which lay eggs in the ovaries; without the moth the plant sets little seed. Native to the Mojave Desert of the southwestern United States, it grows on dry, gravelly flats and slopes between about 1,300 and 5,900 feet (400-1,800 m). It is adapted to intense heat, cold desert nights, and prolonged drought, with a shallow, wide root system. Growth is slow, often only 1-3 inches (2.5-7.5 cm) per year. Old trunks shelter woodpeckers, songbirds, and lizards.
Native Range
Native to the Mojave Desert of the southwestern United States, across parts of California, Nevada, Arizona, and Utah. It grows on dry, gravelly desert flats, washes, and slopes, typically between 1,300 and 5,900 feet (400-1,800 m).Suggested Uses
Yucca brevifolia is grown as a specimen in desert and xeriscape gardens and in large containers in arid regions. It suits low-water landscapes and supports desert wildlife with cover and food.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height15' - 40'
Width/Spread10' - 20'
Reaches mature size in approximately 50 years
Bloom Information
Flowering occurs from February through April but is irregular, with some years passing without bloom. Cool winter temperatures and rainfall appear to trigger flowering. Each spike opens many bell-shaped flowers over several weeks, followed by dry seed capsules.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
blue-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Yucca brevifolia grows in full sun and sharply drained, sandy or gravelly desert soils, and tolerates intense heat, cold nights, and long drought. It needs very little water once established and rots in soils that stay wet. Growth is slow, and young plants take many years to branch or flower. It is hardy in low-desert and high-desert climates but declines in humid regions. Container plants need a gritty mix and a deep pot for the root system.Pruning
No pruning is needed. Dead leaves and spent flower stalks can be removed for appearance, though they give cover to wildlife if left. Cutting into living trunks can invite rot.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 15 gallons