What soil does Weak-leaf yucca grow in?

It tolerates these soils: sandy, average garden soil, calcareous.

Is Weak-leaf yucca hardy?

Hardy down to -29 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

How far from the house should Weak-leaf yucca be planted?

Plant it at least 1 m from buildings. Keep it at least 0.5 m from paving.

How much water does Weak-leaf yucca need?

Water need: low. Drought tolerance: high.

Weak-leaf yucca

Yucca flaccida

Weak-leaf yucca (Yucca flaccida) is a shrub. Light: full sun. Hardy down to -29 °C. Drought tolerance: high. Toxic to dogs and cats.

Illustration of Weak-leaf yucca — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A stemless evergreen yucca whose sword-shaped leaves are thinner and softer than those of Adam's needle: the outer leaves bend down in the middle, which gives the rosette a looser, floppier look. In early summer creamy white nodding bells open on a stalk about a metre and a half tall. You can plant it in a sunny, dry, sandy or gravelly spot with almost no care, as it takes heat and drought very well, just keep it out of waterlogged ground; it slowly forms a colony from offsets around the base. It is mostly sold as the yellow-centred 'Golden Sword' and the cream-edged 'Ivory'. The two species are often mixed up in the trade: 'Bright Edge', for instance, is usually sold as Adam's needle.

Watch out for

In poorly drained, wet soil it gets leaf spot and rot, and in damp sites it hardly flowers; aphids on the flower spike and snails on the leaves can occur. Cut the spent flower stalk out at the base and wear gloves when removing dead leaves. It spreads by offsets around the base; remove unwanted young plants in time. In Czechia it is recorded as a casual garden escape. On the sands of the Kiskunság region in Hungary the spread of garden yucca (Adam's needle) has been observed; the report does not name this species separately, but since the two are regularly confused, do not plant this one near semi-natural sand grassland either and do not dump dug-out plants outside the garden.

Key facts

Light: Full sun
Water need: Low
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 1.4 m × 1.1 m
Hardiness: down to -29 °C
Foliage: Evergreen
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D June–July, white

Group	Shrub
Light	Full sun
Size after 10 years	1.4 m × 1.1 m
Ultimate size	1–1.6 m × 0.5–1.5 m
Hardiness	down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Sandy, Average garden soil, Calcareous
Foliage	Evergreen
Flowering	June–July, white
Water need	Low
Drought tolerance	High
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	yes
Spreading	Medium
Distance from buildings	at least 1 m
Distance from paving	at least 0.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	80 cm
For dogs	Toxic
For cats	Toxic
For children	Mildly toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	no data

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made

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