Photo: velodromeCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Whipple's yucca Plant Care
Hesperoyucca whipplei (Torr.) Trel.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This striking succulent is characterized by its sharp, sword-like leaves clustered in a rosette shape, native to California and Baja California. Plant collectors covet Hesperoyucca whipplei for its dramatic, architectural appearance and ability to thrive in arid climates, making it a unique addition to desert gardens and xeriscapes.
Every 14–21 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–90°F
20–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Whipple's yucca?
Water Whipple's yucca every 14–21 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–90°F (10–32°C) and 20–60% humidity. 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 Whipple's yucca Native To?
What Is the Whipple's yucca?
Whipple's yucca (Hesperoyucca whipplei) belongs to the Asparagaceae family within the Hesperoyucca genus. Whipple's yucca is native to southwest communities of North America. Whipple's yucca is also known as Our Lord's candle, Evening star.
Whipple's yucca displays a rosette-forming succulent growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Whipple's yucca produces creamy white bell-shaped flowers on tall stalks.
Leaf size: approximately 18 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Whipple's yucca?
Hesperoyucca whipplei requires watering every 14–21 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 14–21 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Whipple's yucca Need?
Whipple's yucca thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Whipple's yucca Prefer?
Hesperoyucca whipplei grows best at temperatures of 50–90°F. Whipple's yucca prefers humidity levels of 20–60%.
Temperature
50–90°F
Humidity
20–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Whipple's yucca?
Sandy, well-draining soil mix with gravel and perlite. Good drainage is essential for Whipple's yucca to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Whipple's yucca?
Feed Whipple's yucca every 8 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 8 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Whipple's yucca?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Whipple's yucca?
Whipple's yucca can be propagated through offsets, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to newberry's yucca plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Whipple's 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 Whipple's yucca?
Whipple's 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 Whipple's yucca Need?
Whipple's yucca grows outdoors in USDA Zone 7b – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 7b. Whipple's yucca is native to southwest communities of North America.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 7b – 10b
Keep exploring plants
Whipple's 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 Hesperoyucca genus — compare its care with other Hesperoyucca species on PlantoScan.
Hesperoyucca is part of the Asparagaceae plant family — browse all Asparagaceae genera and species.
Whipple's yucca thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Hesperoyucca whipplei (Torr.) Trel., family Asparagaceae (first published in Rep. (Annual) Missouri Bot. Gard. 4: 208 (tt. 16, 23). 1893 [9 Mar 1893]) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Whipple's 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.
- Photo: velodrome, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 7b – 10b, 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.
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