Yucca filamentosa (Adam’s Needle) is a bold, architectural evergreen perennial valued for its striking rosette of sword-shaped leaves. The foliage is stiff, dark green, and edged with fine, curly white filaments that give the plant its common name. In early to mid-summer, mature plants produce tall flower stalks bearing large, creamy white, bell-shaped blooms. The plant forms a dramatic clump and is highly drought tolerant, making it ideal for xeriscapes, prairie gardens, and low-maintenance landscapes. It adds strong structural interest year-round.
- Size: Height: 60–90 cm (24–36 in.). Spread: 60–120 cm (24–48 in.)
- Bloom Time: Early to mid-summer
- Hardiness: Zone 4 (very reliable in prairie climates)
- Light: Full sun (best form and flowering in sun)
- Soil: Well-drained soil; tolerates sandy, rocky, or poor soils
- Water: Low; highly drought tolerant once established
- Maintenance: Remove spent flower stalks after blooming; minimal care required; avoid overwatering
- Use: Accent plant, rock gardens, dry borders, mass plantings