Yucca elata
soaptree yucca
Southwestern United States and northern Mexico
Overview
Yucca elata is an evergreen, tree-like yucca reaching 6-15 feet (1.8-4.5 m) tall, occasionally to 20 feet (6 m), with one or more slender trunks topped by rosettes of stiff, narrow leaves. The leaves are 1-2.5 feet (30-75 cm) long and only 0.1-0.25 inch (3-6 mm) wide, pale green to blue-green, with white curling fibers along the margins and a sharp terminal spine. Older leaves bend down and persist as a dry, shaggy skirt against the trunk. In late spring to summer a flowering stalk rises 3-7 feet (0.9-2.1 m) above the foliage, carrying many pendent, bell-shaped creamy-white flowers 1.5-2.5 inches (4-6 cm) long. The flowers are pollinated only by yucca moths, which the plant depends on for seed set. Dry capsules with flat black seeds follow. Growth is slow, with trunks forming over many years. The roots and trunk contain saponins once used to make soap.
Native Range
Native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, across Arizona, New Mexico, west Texas, and into Chihuahua and Sonora. Grows in desert grasslands, plains, and sandy or gravelly slopes, from about 1,500 to 6,000 feet (450-1,800 m).Suggested Uses
Planted in desert, xeriscape, and rock gardens and as a vertical accent in arid landscapes, spaced 4-6 feet (1.2-1.8 m) apart. The flowers and seeds support yucca moths and desert wildlife. Sharp leaf tips make it suited to spots away from paths, patios, and play areas.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height6' - 15'
Width/Spread3' - 6'
Colors
Bloom Information
Flowers from May through July, with timing tied to spring rainfall. The tall stalk opens many pendent white flowers over 2-3 weeks. Flowers open in the evening and rely on yucca moths for pollination. Not every plant blooms each year, especially in dry seasons.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
pale green to blue-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 8-12 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