Chontal Yucca Plant Care

Chontal Yucca (Yucca periculosa) belongs to the Asparagaceae family within the Yucca genus. Chontal Yucca is native to the Mexican states of Veracruz, Morelos, Guerrero, Puebla and Oaxaca. Chontal Yucca is also known as Perilous Yucca.

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

Leaf size: approximately 18 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Chontal 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.

Chontal Yucca thrives in full sun to partial shade.

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

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

Feed Chontal 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.

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

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.

Chontal Yucca is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

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.

Chontal 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.

Prune Chontal 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.

Chontal Yucca is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

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

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

Chontal 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.

Chontal Yucca grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Chontal Yucca is native to the Mexican states of Veracruz, Morelos, Guerrero, Puebla and Oaxaca. In cooler regions, grow Chontal Yucca as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.