prairie succulent
Aloe Yucca
Yucca aloifolia
1 of 2Native to Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South Carolina
Coastal plain from North Carolina to Florida and Louisiana
- Light Full sun Sun tolerance
- Moisture Dry Moisture preference
- Zones n/a Cold to heat range
- Bloom Jan–Dec Flowering time
- Height up to 12 ft to 3.7 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A prairie succulent for full sun and lean, dry soil. Its white flowers peak in June. At up to 12 ft, it needs room in meadows and sunny borders.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
When it blooms
The Aloe Yucca's white flowers bloom January to December, peaking in June. It's an early-summer display.
Aloe Yucca blooms whiteFoliage
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- PrairieThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and South CarolinaUnited States (7): AL, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Coastal plain from North Carolina to Florida and LouisianaThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Full sunHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- DryThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Soil
- Well-drained sandsThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Soil texture
- Light to heavy (sandy to clay)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
- Soil pH
- 5.0–8.5The acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
- Soil quality
- MediumHow rich a soil it needs. Many natives prefer lean soil and flop in rich beds.
- Water use
- LowHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.
- Salinity tolerance
- MediumHow well it copes with salty soil, near roads or the coast.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 12 ft (to 3.7 m)Typical mature height.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
- Growth rate
- SlowA relative ranking versus other plants of the same type (USDA), not an absolute rate.
- Shape
- ErectIts overall silhouette.
- Root depth
- 24+ in (61+ cm)How far the roots reach, a guide to drought resilience and transplanting.
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- SucculentWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Jan–DecWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- WhiteThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- ripens Jan–OctThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.
Propagation & seed
- Cold stratification
- Not requiredWhether seed needs a cold, moist spell before it will germinate.
- Propagation
- Bare root, container, cuttings, seedHow to start new plants.
- Seed
- ~0.0 million seeds per poundNotes on the seed and how to sow it.
- Seedling vigor
- MediumHow strongly young seedlings establish.