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| Category: Succulent |
| Family: Agavaceae (now Asparagaceae) |
| Origin: Southern States (North America) |
| Evergreen: Yes |
| Flower Color: White |
| Bloomtime: Spring/Summer |
| Height: 12-20 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Summer Dry: Yes |
| Deer Tolerant: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: < 0 °F |
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Yucca elata (Soap Plant) - A slow-growing treelike yucca to 15-20 feet tall with a single or branching trunk, crowned by tufts of thin and pliable 3-4 foot long pale grey-green leaves that have narrow, white or greenish margins that shred off into thin strings. Older leaves remain attached to the trunk, forming a skirt and white to green flowers are carried on a tall spike in spring or early summer, though it does not regularly bloom each year. It is both drought and frost tolerant. We have been told of locations in Utah where this plant has withstood temperatures down to -13°F. The overall structure and form of this yucca gives a finer textured look than many other tree-formed yuccas. The soaptree yucca is native to the Chihuahua and Sonora deserts of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona. The name given to the genus by Linnaeus was perhaps by mistake, as it is the Latinized derivation of "yuca", the Caribbean name for Cassava (Manihot esculenta), an unrelated plant in the Euphorbia family that is native to the Caribbean area. Interestingly it was also Linnaeus who applied the name Manihot to Yuca. The specific epithet is the Latin word for "exalted", "lofty" or "high" in reference to how tall this species can grow. Our plants from seed field collected northeast of Deming, New Mexico in July 2008 by Brian Kemble of the Ruth Bancroft Garden.
This description is based on our research and observations made of this plant as it grows in our nursery, in the nursery garden and in other gardens that we have visited. We will also incorporate comments received from others and always appreciate getting feedback of any kind from those who have some additional information about this plant, in particular if this information is contrary to what we have written or if they have additional cultural tips that would aid others in growing Yucca elata.
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