Lacandon Yucca Plant Care

Yucca lacandonica Gómez Pompa & J.Valdés

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

With long, sword-shaped leaves that are a vibrant shade of green, this plant originates from the Lacandon Jungle in Mexico. Plant collectors are drawn to Yucca lacandonica for its unique appearance and rare status, making it a prized addition to any botanical collection.

🌳Trees🪴Houseplants🌵Succulents🌼Perennials
Water

Every 14–21 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–85°F

Humidity

30–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Lacandon Yucca?

Plant Lacandon Yucca in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 10b–12b) and water a young tree every 14–21 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F (10–29°C). Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.

Where Is the Lacandon Yucca Native To?

Native range3 countries

What Is the Lacandon Yucca?

Lacandon Yucca (Yucca lacandonica) belongs to the Asparagaceae family within the Yucca genus. Lacandon Yucca is native to Belize and to southern Mexico, the states of Chiapas, Veracruz, Tabasco, Quintana Roo, Campeche, and Yucatán.

Lacandon Yucca displays an upright, architectural growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Lacandon Yucca produces creamy-white, bell-shaped flowers on tall spikes.

Leaf size: approximately 18 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Lacandon Yucca?

Water a young or newly planted Lacandon Yucca every 14–21 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Watering Frequency

Every 14–21 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Lacandon Yucca Need?

Lacandon Yucca thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Lacandon Yucca Prefer?

Yucca lacandonica tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Lacandon Yucca prefers humidity levels of 30–60%.

Temperature

50–85°F

Humidity

30–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Lacandon Yucca?

Sandy, well-draining soil mix with added perlite and gravel for good drainage. Good drainage is essential for Lacandon Yucca to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Lacandon Yucca?

Feed Lacandon Yucca every 8 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

Fertilizing

Every 8 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Where Should You Plant a Lacandon Yucca?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and sandy, well-draining soil mix with added perlite and gravel for good drainage. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Lacandon Yucca is suited to USDA Zone 10b – 12b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Lacandon Yucca?

Lacandon Yucca can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Lacandon Yucca?

Prune Lacandon Yucca while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

How Do You Care for a Lacandon Yucca in Winter?

Lacandon Yucca is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 10). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

How Do You Propagate a Lacandon Yucca?

Lacandon Yucca can be propagated through offsets (pups), seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to spanish bayonet plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Lacandon Yucca Toxic to Pets and Children?

Toxic (caution)

Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Lacandon Yucca?

Lacandon Yucca is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Lacandon Yucca Need?

Lacandon Yucca grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10b – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10b. Lacandon Yucca is native to Belize and to southern Mexico, the states of Chiapas, Veracruz, Tabasco, Quintana Roo, Campeche, and Yucatán. In cooler regions, grow Lacandon Yucca as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 10b – 12b

Keep exploring plants

Lacandon Yucca is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Yucca genus — compare its care with other Yucca species on PlantoScan.

Yucca is part of the Asparagaceae plant family — browse all Asparagaceae genera and species.

Lacandon Yucca thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Yucca Species

Other Yucca species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Yucca lacandonica Gómez Pompa & J.Valdés, family Asparagaceae (first published in Bol. Soc. Bot. México 27: 43 (1962)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Lacandon Yucca is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 10b – 12b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

PlantoScan app icon

Identify Plants Like the
Lacandon Yucca Instantly

Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Free

to download

iOS & Android

platforms

Light & dark

mode

100,000+

species