What soil does Adam's needle grow in?

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

Is Adam's needle 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 Adam's needle be planted?

Plant it at least 1.5 m from buildings. Keep it at least 0.5 m from paving.

How much water does Adam's needle need?

Water need: low. Drought tolerance: high.

Adam's needle

Yucca filamentosa

Adam's needle (Yucca filamentosa) is a shrub. Light: full sun. Hardy down to -29 °C. Drought tolerance: high. Toxic to dogs and cats. Sold in local shops from about CZK 190.

Illustration of Adam's needle — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

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

It forms a stemless evergreen rosette of sword-shaped leaves edged with white threads, and in early summer sends up a head-high stalk carrying masses of nodding creamy white bells. 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. The leaves end in sharp points, so keep it away from paths and play areas, and expect it to slowly form a colony from offsets around the base.

Watch out for

In poorly drained, wet soil it gets leaf spot and rot, and in damp sites it hardly flowers. It spreads by offsets around the base; remove unwanted young plants in time. In Central Europe it has been observed escaping onto sandy areas (for example in the Kiskunság region), so do not plant it near semi-natural sand grassland and do not dump dug-out plants outside the garden. Wear gloves when removing the spent flower stalk and dead leaves.

Key facts

Light: Full sun
Water need: Low
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 1.8 m × 1.2 m
Hardiness: down to -29 °C
Foliage: Evergreen
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D June–July, white

All details

Group	Shrub
Light	Full sun
Size after 10 years	1.8 m × 1.2 m
Ultimate size	0.9–2.4 m × 0.9–1.5 m
Hardiness	down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Sandy, Average garden soil, Calcareous, Clay
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 1.5 m
Distance from paving	at least 0.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	80 cm
For dogs	Toxic
For cats	Toxic
For children	no data
Typical price	from about CZK 190

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

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
size not stated	approx. CZK 190

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 17, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Drought-tolerant plants Drought-tolerant shrubs Drought-tolerant plants for sandy soil Evergreen plants Low-maintenance shrubs Plants for a Mediterranean garden Flowering shrubs

Looks good next to it

Russian sage

Perovskia atriplicifolia

Blue oat grass

Helictotrichon sempervirens

Cliff stonecrop

Sedum cauticola