Yuccas of the World

An illustrated guide to all the yucca plants in the world.

 

Updated January 22, 2025

The yucca genus is a group of striking, hardy plants native mostly to the arid regions of North and Central America. To me, they are symbolic of the deserts of Mexico and the Desert Southwest.

There are 48 species, ranging from small, ground-huggers to towering giants. They can be found in deserts, grasslands, and even coastal areas. Most are pollinated by different species of yucca moths, and many played significant roles in the indigenous history of the Americas as food, medicine, instruments and even construction material.

I sketched each yucca species with liner pens, Copic markers and watercolor.

Spanish Bayonet (Yucca aloifolia)

Yucca aloifolia

Spanish Bayonet

A sharp-leaved yucca with stiff, sword-like leaves and a strikingly spiky appearance. Found in coastal regions of the southeastern United States, it thrives in sandy soils and dunes. Its white, bell-shaped flowers bloom in dense clusters. This species has such sharp-tipped leaves that it was often used as a natural barrier to keep intruders and animals away.

Maximum height: 20-30 feet.
Pollinator: Yucca moths, which lay their eggs in the flowers while facilitating pollination.

Narrowleaf Yucca (Yucca angustissima)

Yucca angustissima

Narrowleaf Yucca

Features long, narrow leaves with a bluish-green hue and thread-like filaments along the edges. Native to the deserts of Arizona and New Mexico, it grows in arid, sandy soils. Its flowering stalk produces cream-colored flowers.

Maximum height: 3-6 feet.
Pollinator: Yucca moths, primarily Tegeticula species.

Arkansas Yucca (Yucca arkanasana)

Yucca arkansana

Yucca arkansana

A compact species with narrow, spiny leaves forming a basal rosette. Found in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas, it adapts well to prairies and rocky outcrops. Creamy flowers appear on a short stalk in summer.

Maximum height: 2-3 feet.
Pollinator: Yucca moths.

Banana Yucca (Yucca baccata)

Yucca baccata

Banana Yucca

Named for its banana-shaped fruits, it has thick, flexible leaves with curled fibers at the edges. Native to the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico, it grows in deserts and semi-arid regions. Its flowers are creamy-white with a hint of purple. Its fruits were traditionally roasted and eaten by Native Americans, which resemble the taste of sweet potatoes.

Maximum height: 3-10 feet.
Pollinator: Yucca moths, primarily Tegeticula baccatella, but also Tegeticula yuccasella, Tegeticula maculata and Parategeticula pollenifera.

Bailey's Yucca (Yucca baileyi)

Yucca baileyi

Bailey's Yucca

A small yucca with thin, blue-green leaves and a low-growing habit. Found in New Mexico and Arizona, it prefers rocky slopes and high desert terrain. Its flowers are pale greenish-white and borne on a short stalk.

Maximum height: 3-6 feet.
Pollinator: Yucca moths specific to its range.

Joshua Tree (Yucca Brevifolia)

Yucca brevifolia

Joshua Tree

A tall, iconic yucca with branching arms and spiky green leaves. Native to the Mojave Desert, it thrives in arid, sandy soils. It produces greenish-white flowers and supports a diverse desert ecosystem. Its common name comes from Mormon settlers who thought its branches resembled the biblical figure Joshua raising his arms in prayer.

Maximum height: 15-50 feet.
Pollinator: Tegeticula synthetica Yucca moths and wind.

Nodding Yucca (Yucca cernua)

Yucca cernua

Nodding Yucca

A rare species with soft, flexible leaves and a distinctive nodding flower stalk. Native to a small range in Texas, it grows in sandy soils and grasslands. Its flowers are pale yellow and bell-shaped. This rare yucca was only discovered in 2003, making it one of the most recently identified species of the genus.

Maximum height: 3-4 feet.
Pollinator: Yucca moths, critical for seed production.

Pachysereus schottii (Coahuila Yucca)

Yucca coahuilensis

Coahuila Yucca

A small, slow-growing yucca with rigid, thin leaves and sharp tips. Native to Coahuila, Mexico, it grows in rocky and dry regions. Its flowers are white with purple tinges. This yucca is exceptionally salt-tolerant, thriving in highly alkaline soils.

Maximum height: 6-10 feet.
Pollinator: Yucca moths native to its habitat.

Plains Yucca (Yucca campestris)

Yucca campestris

Plains Yucca

A rosette-forming species with slender, grass-like leaves. Found in the plains of west Texas, it thrives in sandy, open areas. Its flower stalk is adorned with creamy-white blossoms. This species has underground rhizomes that help it spread across sandy grasslands.

Maximum height: 2-4 feet.
Pollinator: Yucca moths in arid grasslands.

Giant Spanish Dagger (Yucca carnerosana)

Yucca carnerosana

Giant Spanish Dagger

A tall, robust yucca with stiff, sword-like leaves forming dense rosettes. Native to northern Mexico, it grows in rocky hillsides and desert terrain. Its flowers are large, white, and borne on tall stalks. This species produces a dense trunk that can be over 30 feet tall, making it one of the largest yuccas in the world.

Maximum height: 10-20 feet.
Pollinator: Yucca moths.

Weak Leaf Yucca (Yucca Flaccida)

Yucca flaccida

Weak-leaf Yucca

A low-growing species with soft, drooping leaves that have thread-like fibers along their edges. Found in the southeastern United States, it thrives in sandy soils and forest clearings. Its flowers are white and fragrant, forming on a tall stalk. Its droopy leaves are remarkably flexible and droop under their weight, unlike many other rigid yuccas.

Maximum height: 3-6 feet.
Pollinator: Yucca moths.

Soaptree Yucca (Yucca elata)

Yucca elata

Soaptree Yucca

This tall species has narrow, flexible leaves and is known for its soap-producing roots. It grows in deserts and grasslands across the southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico. Its creamy-white flowers appear on towering stalks. its roots contain saponins that were used by Indigenous peoples to make soap and shampoo.

Maximum height: 10-30 feet.
Pollinator: Tegeticula altiplanella Yucca moths.

Endlich's Yucca (Yucca endlichiana)

Yucca endlichiana

Endlich's Yucca

A rare, small yucca with short, stiff leaves forming tight rosettes. Endemic to a small range in northeastern Mexico, it grows in arid, rocky environments. Its flowers are bell-shaped and white with purple tinges.

Maximum height: 2-3 feet.
Pollinator: Yucca moths.

Faxon Yucca (Yucca faxoniana)

Yucca faxoniana

Faxon Yucca

A tall, tree-like yucca with thick, rigid leaves and a robust trunk. Found in Texas and northern Mexico, it thrives in desert and scrubland habitats. It produces large clusters of creamy-white flowers. Its tall, sword-like leaves were once used to weave baskets and mats by Indigenous peoples.

Maximum height: 10-20 feet.
Pollinator: Yucca moths.

Adam's Needle (Yucca filamentosa)

Yucca filamentosa

Adam's Needle

Recognized for its thin, flexible leaves with thread-like filaments, it forms a compact rosette. Native to the southeastern U.S., it grows in sandy and well-drained soils. Its tall flower stalks bear white, bell-shaped blooms. Its name comes from the thin, thread-like filaments peeling off its leaves, giving it a "hairy" appearance.

Maximum height: 3-6 feet.
Pollinator: Tegeticula yuccasella Yucca moths.

Palmito (Yucca decipiens)

Yucca decipiens

Palmito

A tree-like species with long, slender leaves and a thick, branching trunk. Native to Mexico, it grows in rocky and arid regions. Its flowers are large, creamy-white, and form dense clusters. The name "decipiens" means "deceptive," referring to the difficulty botanists had in distinguishing it from similar species during its early classification.

Maximum height: 15-30 feet.
Pollinator: Yucca moths.

Declined Yucca (Yucca declinata)

Yucca declinata

Declined Yucca

Known for its striking purple-tinged leaves, this ornamental yucca forms a compact rosette. Native to Mexico, it grows in arid and rocky environments. Its flowers are creamy-white with a purple tint. This species is known for its downward-arching flower stalks, unique among yuccas.

Maximum height: 6-10 feet.
Pollinator: Yucca moths.

Thread-leaf Yucca (Yucca filifera)

Yucca filifera

Thread-leaf Yucca

A tall, tree-like yucca with dense, sword-like leaves adorned with thread-like fibers. Found in Mexico, it grows in arid and semi-arid regions. Its flower clusters are large and creamy-white. This species can live for hundreds of years and is often found in fossilized form in ancient desert deposits.

Maximum height: 30-40 feet.
Pollinator: Tegeticula filifera Yucca moths. This species pollinates the plant while laying its eggs in the flowers, with the larvae feeding on a portion of the seeds.

Cape Yucca (Yucca capensis)

Yucca capensis

Cape Yucca

A small, rare yucca with narrow, sharp leaves and a compact growth habit. Native to Baja California, it thrives in rocky and sandy soils in some of the most rugged and inaccessible regions of the peninsula. Its flowers are pale yellow and form dense clusters.

Maximum height: 6-12 feet.
Pollinator: Yucca moths.

Buckley's Yucca (Yucca constricta)

Yucca constricta

Buckley's Yucca

Features thin, rigid leaves with curling filaments along the edges. Found in central Texas, it grows in grasslands and rocky soils. Its flowers are white with a greenish tint. The name "constricta" refers to the plant's tightly packed leaf rosettes, which can resemble a coiled snake.

Maximum height: 3-6 feet.
Pollinator: Yucca moths.

Desmet's Yucca (Yucca desmetiana)

Yucca desmetiana

Desmet's Yucca

Known for its striking purple-tinged leaves, this ornamental yucca forms a compact rosette. Native to Mexico, it grows in arid and rocky environments. Its flowers are creamy-white with a purple tint. This species is prized as an ornamental plant due to its striking purple-tinged leaves, making it a favorite for xeriscaping.

Maximum height: 3-6 feet.
Pollinator: Yucca moths.

Spineless Yucca (Yucca gigantea)

Yucca gigantea

Spineless Yucca

A large, tree-like yucca with smooth, spineless leaves and a thick trunk. Native to Central America, it is often used as an ornamental plant worldwide. Its creamy-white flowers grow in dense, showy clusters. It's often grown indoors as a low-maintenance houseplant that can grow to impressive heights.

Maximum height: 20-30 feet.
Pollinator: Yucca moths and occasionally bat species such as Lesser Long-Nosed Bat (Leptonycteris yerbabuenae) and Pallas's Long-Tongued Bat (Glossophaga soricina).

Soapweed Yucca (Yucca glauca)

Yucca glauca

Soapweed Yucca

A low-growing yucca with narrow, bluish-green leaves and fibrous edges. Found in the Great Plains of North America, it thrives in sandy and rocky soils. Its flowers are white and bell-shaped, often tinged with purple. Its roots were not only used for soap but also as a fish poison by Indigenous tribes.

Maximum height: 3-6 feet.
Pollinator: Yucca moths of grassland regions.

Spanish Dagger (Yucca gloriosa)

Yucca gloriosa

Spanish Dagger

A striking yucca with stiff, sword-shaped leaves and a dense rosette form. Native to the southeastern U.S., it grows in coastal areas and sandy soils. Its flowers are large, white, and fragrant. This species has a history of cultivation dating back to colonial gardens in the southeastern United States, where it was used as an ornamental focal point.

Maximum height: 6-10 feet.
Pollinator: Yucca moths.

Sahualiqui (Yucca grandiflora)

Yucca grandiflora

Sahualiqui (Large-flowered Yucca)

Known for its large, striking white flowers and stiff, green leaves. Native to Mexico, it grows in arid and rocky habitats. It forms a robust rosette with tall flower stalks. The name "grandiflora" means "large flower," which describes its unusually large and showy blooms.

Maximum height: 10-20 feet.
Pollinator: Yucca moths specialized for its flowers.

Harriman's Yucca (Yucca harrimaniae)

Yucca harrimaniae

Harriman's Yucca

A compact species with narrow, rigid leaves and curling fibers. Found in Utah and Colorado, it thrives in arid, rocky terrains. Its flowers are creamy-white and bloom on short stalks. Named after railroad tycoon and amateur botanist E.H. Harriman, this species celebrates his contributions to the study of desert flora in North America.

Maximum height: 1-3 feet.
Pollinator: Yucca moths.

Intermediate Yucca (Yucca intermedia)

Yucca intermedia

Intermediate Yucca

A hybrid species with medium-sized leaves that combine traits of its parent plants. Found in arid regions of the southwestern U.S., it thrives in rocky and sandy soils. Its flowers are pale cream to white, forming on a moderately tall stalk. This hybrid species is an example of how yuccas can naturally cross-pollinate to create unique plants in overlapping habitats.

Maximum height: 3-6 feet.
Pollinator: Yucca moths.

Jalisco Yucca (Yucca jaliscensis)

Yucca jaliscensis

Jalisco Yucca

A slender, tree-like yucca with flexible, narrow leaves and a tall trunk. Native to Jalisco, Mexico, it grows in semi-arid and rocky environments. Its flowers are white and grow in dense, showy clusters. Its seedpods were used as maracas by Indigenous peoples of Mexico due to their hollow, rattling sound.

Maximum height: 10-20 feet.
Pollinator: Yucca moths found in its range.

Lacandon Yucca (Yucca lacandonica)

Yucca lacandonica

Lacandon Yucca

A rare species with long, drooping leaves and a graceful appearance. Endemic to southern Mexico, it grows in humid, forested areas. Its flowers are white and bell-shaped, appearing on an arching stalk. Found in the Lacandon Jungle, this yucca is thrives in a very different environment than most yuccas, sharing space with jaguars and howler monkeys.

Maximum height: 10-15 feet.
Pollinator: Yucca moths specific to its locality.

Linear Leaf Yucca (Yucca linearifolia)

Yucca linearifolia

Linear-leaf Yucca

Known for its narrow, grass-like leaves that form dense, symmetrical rosettes. Native to northeastern Mexico, it thrives in rocky and desert regions. Its flowers are creamy-white and borne on tall stalks. This yucca's leaves are so slender that they resemble grass more than the typical rigid leaves of its relatives.

Maximum height: 10-15 feet.
Pollinator: Yucca moths, key to its lifecycle.

Bright Yucca (Yucca Luminosa)

Yucca luminosa

Bright Yucca

A striking yucca with rigid, blue-green leaves and a robust trunk. Found in Mexico, it thrives in rocky, semi-arid habitats. Its tall flower spikes bear creamy-white blooms. The name, "luminosa," refers to its striking, luminous flower spikes that glow in moonlight.

Maximum height: 10-20 feet.
Pollinator: Yucca moths serve its reproduction.

Madrean Yucca (Yucca madrensis)

Yucca madrensis

Madrean Yucca

A tall, tree-like yucca with broad, sword-shaped leaves and a thick trunk. Native to the Sierra Madre mountains in Mexico, it grows in rocky slopes and desert regions. Its flowers are large, creamy-white, and fragrant. Its seeds are often dispersed by birds that feed on its fruits.

Maximum height: 10-20 feet.
Pollinator: Yucca moths in its native habitat.

Mixtec Yucca (Yucca mixtecana)

Yucca mixtecana

Mixtec Yucca

A rare species with long, flexible leaves and a slender trunk. Endemic to Oaxaca, Mexico, it grows in rocky and arid environments. Its flowers are white and form dense clusters on tall stalks. This species is named after the Mixtec people of Oaxaca, who have used it for food and fiber for centuries.

Maximum height: 15-25 feet.
Pollinator: Yucca moths.

Pachysereus schottii (Yucca neomexicana)

Yucca neomexicana

New Mexico Spanish Bayonet

A compact yucca with rigid, spiny leaves and a short trunk. Found in New Mexico and neighboring states, it grows in rocky, arid habitats. Its flowers are creamy-white and appear on a medium-height stalk. This species can survive temperatures as low as -20°F, making it one of the most cold-hardy yuccas.

Maximum height: 2-4 feet.
Pollinator: Yucca moths.

Pale-leaf Yucca (Yucca Pallida)

Yucca pallida

Pale-leaf Yucca

Features pale blue-green leaves with curled fibers along the edges. Native to central Texas, it thrives in limestone soils and rocky outcrops. Its flowers are creamy-white and borne on a short stalk. Its pale blue-green leaves provide a natural camouflage against limestone outcrops where it grows.

Maximum height: 1-2 feet.
Pollinator: Yucca moths in prairie settings.

Dangerous Yucca (Yucca periculosa)

Yucca periculosa

Dangerous Yucca

A tall species with stiff, spiny leaves and a thick trunk. Found in central Mexico, it grows in rocky, arid terrain. Its flowers are white with hints of green or purple. The species' name means "dangerous," a nod to its sharp, dagger-like leaves.

Maximum height: 10-20 feet.
Pollinator: Yucca moths native to Mexican regions.

Potosí Yucca (Yucca Potosina)

Yucca potosina

Potosí Yucca

A small, compact yucca with narrow, rigid leaves forming tight rosettes. Native to the Potosí region of Mexico, it thrives in rocky desert soils. Its flowers are white and bell-shaped. Found in the San Luis Potosí region, its seeds were traditionally ground into flour by local communities.

Maximum height: 6-12 feet.
Pollinator: Yucca moths.

Querétaro Yucca (Yucca queretaroensis)

Yucca queretaroensis

Querétaro Yucca

Known for its slender, arching leaves and a graceful growth habit. Endemic to Querétaro, Mexico, it grows in rocky and arid areas. Its flowers are creamy-white and form dense clusters on a tall stalk. This rare species is a favorite of collectors due to its elegant, arching leaf rosettes.

Maximum height: 6-12 feet.
Pollinator: Yucca moths.

San Angelo Yucca (Yucca reverchonii)

Yucca reverchonii

San Angelo Yucca

A low-growing species with stiff, narrow leaves and curled fibers. Found in Texas, it thrives in rocky hillsides and grasslands. Its flowers are white with greenish hues, appearing on a medium-height stalk. Named after Julien Reverchon, a French botanist who extensively studied Texas flora.

Maximum height: 2-4 feet.
Pollinator: Yucca moths.

Beaked Yucca (Yucca rostrata)

Yucca rostrata

Beaked Yucca

A tall, tree-like yucca with a single trunk and narrow, bluish-green leaves. Found in west Texas and northern Mexico, it grows in rocky, arid regions and is sometimes known as 'Big Bend Yucca'. Its flowers are creamy-white and form dense clusters on a tall stalk. The species is called "Beaked Yucca" because its seedpods resemble a bird's beak.

Maximum height: 10-15 feet.
Pollinator: Yucca moths.

Twist-leaf Yucca (Yucca rupicola)

Yucca rupicola

Twist-leaf Yucca

Features twisted, flexible leaves with curled fibers at the edges. Native to Texas, it grows in rocky and limestone-rich soils. Its flowers are creamy-white and appear on a short stalk. The name "rupicola" means "rock dweller," reflecting its preference for rocky terrains.

Maximum height: 2-3 feet.
Pollinator: Yucca moths.

Yucca schidigera (Mojave Yucca)

Yucca schidigera

Mojave Yucca

A robust species with spiny, sword-like leaves and a tall trunk. Found in the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts, it thrives in sandy and rocky soils. Its flowers are white with purple streaks. Its dried leaves are often used as a natural foaming agent in shampoos and soaps.

Maximum height: 10-20 feet.
Pollinator: Yucca moths and nocturnal insects.

Mountain Yucca (Yucca x Schottii)

Yucca × schottii

Mountain Yucca

A hybrid species with long, flexible leaves and a stout trunk. Found in southeastern Arizona and Mexico, it grows in mountainous regions. Its flowers are creamy-white with greenish tints. This hybrid was named after German-American botanist Arthur Schott, who studied and explored desert ecosystems.

Maximum height: 8-15 feet.
Pollinator: Yucca moths.

Sterile Yucca (Yucca sterilis)

Yucca sterilis

Sterile Yucca

A rare yucca with stiff, narrow leaves and a compact rosette form. Native to parts of Mexico, it grows in arid, rocky soils. Its flowers are white but rarely produce viable seeds. The name "sterilis" refers to its inability to produce viable seeds, relying on vegetative reproduction.

Maximum height: 3-5 feet.
Pollinator: Lacks natural pollinators, often sterile.

Thompson's Yucca (Yucca thompsoniana)

Yucca thompsoniana

Thompson's Yucca

A small, tree-like yucca with narrow, stiff leaves and a thick trunk. Found in west Texas and northern Mexico, it thrives in rocky, arid habitats. Its flowers are white and borne on tall stalks. This yucca is often confused with *Yucca rostrata*, but it's distinguished by its smaller size and thinner leaves.

Maximum height: 10-15 feet.
Pollinator: Yucca moths adapted to its flowers.

Spanish Dagger (Yucca treculanea)

Yucca treculeana

Spanish Dagger

A tall, robust species with thick, sword-shaped leaves and a stout trunk. Found in Texas and northern Mexico, it grows in desert and scrub habitats. Its flowers are white and grow in dense clusters. Its massive flower stalks can be over 6 feet tall, making it a striking desert landmark.

Maximum height: 15-20 feet.
Pollinator: Yucca moths specific to its blooms.

Utah Yucca (Yucca utahensis)

Yucca utahensis

Utah Yucca

A low-growing yucca with narrow, spiny leaves forming dense rosettes. Native to Utah and neighboring states, it thrives in rocky, arid regions. Its flowers are creamy-white and appear on a medium-height stalk. This yucca often grows alongside junipers, creating picturesque classic Utah desert landscapes.

Maximum height: 2-4 feet.
Pollinator: Yucca moths of the Utah desert.

Datilillo (Yucca valida)

Yucca valida

Datilillo

A medium-sized yucca with flexible, arching leaves and a slender trunk. Native to Baja California, it grows in rocky and sandy soils. Its flowers are pale yellow and bell-shaped. Its name "valida" means "strong," referring to its robust growth and adaptability to harsh desert climates.

Maximum height: 10-15 feet.
Pollinator: Yucca moths.

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