Yucca elata

palmilla
Single or branching trunked yucca topped in thin pliable gray green leaves. Creates skirt of protective leaves. Clusters of tall white-green flowers in summer.
Yucca elata
synonyms Yucca angustissima var. elata
Yucca elata var. elata
Yucca elata var. utahensis
Yucca elata var. verdiensis
Yucca utahensis
Yucca verdiensis
height 5–20ft
width 4–6ft
tolerates Cold, Drought, Deer , Heat, Pots, Rooftops, Neglect, Wind
water
needs		 Lowest
water
info		 Water this plant every couple of weeks through its first dry season. Use drippers, emitters, or a slow stream of water so that it does not run off; allow the water to trickle all the way down through the deepest layers of soil. Going forward it will not need supplemental irrigation, though it will look more lush if given water every three to six weeks during dry weather once established. In a pot slowly water the entire surface until water comes out of the bottom of your pot.
hardy
to		 0F
exposure Full Sun
indoor
outdoor		 Outdoor
drainage In Ground: Cactus Mix, In Pots: Cactus Mix, Tolerates Sandy Soil
fertilizing All Purpose
origin SW USA
california
native		 No
sunset
zones		 7–24

Sunset Zones Map

Outdoor Exposure Guide

Growing Notes

Ignore the old dead leaves of this plant and they’ll form a thick beard , or trim them off when they begin to turn brown to expose a textured trunk.
Flowers spikes are three to seven feet tall! Remove them once they are dead and dried out as they will persist for years.
Even branched plants have an upright nature.
This plant is quite slow growing, putting on only an inch or so of growth per year once trunking.
Uniquely, once mature, this yucca creates rhizomes at the base, that can be divided to create new plants.

Special Interest

The common name palmilla is Spanish for ‘little palm tree’ referring to this trees similar growth form to palms.

Edible flowers can be added to salads or cooked.