Beaked Yucca Plant Care

Beaked Yucca (Yucca rostrata) belongs to the Asparagaceae family within the Yucca genus. Beaked Yucca is native to Texas, and the Chihuahua and Coahuila regions of Mexico. Beaked Yucca is also known as Bottle Palm, Big Bend Yucca.

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

Leaf size: approximately 18 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Beaked 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.

Beaked Yucca thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Yucca rostrata tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Beaked 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 Beaked Yucca to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Beaked 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.

Beaked 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.

Beaked 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 Beaked 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.

Beaked 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.

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

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

Beaked 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.

Beaked Yucca grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Beaked Yucca is native to Texas, and the Chihuahua and Coahuila regions of Mexico. In cooler regions, grow Beaked Yucca as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.