Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Blue Yucca
Blue yucca is a tree-form yucca with stiff, powder-blue leaves trimmed in thin yellow edges. Over time it grows about 12 to 15 feet tall on a trunk that branches little, making a strong vertical accent. In late spring it sends up tall stalks of creamy white, bell-shaped flowers. It takes full sun and reflected heat and needs very little water once rooted.
Best for: a tall blue focal point in gravel yards, hot spots against walls and driveways, and modern or desert designs with room around them.
It grows about 12 feet tall, and up to 15, on a mostly single trunk topped with powder-blue leaves. Set it against dark green plants or a plain wall, and it becomes the focal point of the yard.
It wants full sun and handles reflected heat and low desert summers. Once it is rooted, it rarely needs extra water beyond a deep soak in long, hot, dry spells.
Plant it in rocky, fast-draining soil with space around it. It fits xeriscape and modern designs where one strong shape carries the whole bed.
The stiff leaves end in very sharp tips, so keep it well away from walkways, pool edges, seating and play areas. Soggy or poorly drained soil leads to rot, and snout weevils can cause a sudden collapse.
- Close group4-6 ft apart
- Full spread6-8 ft apart
Keep the root area slightly damp until a new plant roots in, then stretch the time between waterings. Once rooted, soak it deeply about every 2 to 4 weeks in summer, less in spring and fall, and little or none in winter. Older plants can get by on rain for much of the year.
Plant it at the same depth it grew and keep the same side facing south. Shade a new plant with shade cloth until new growth shows. It does not need any fertilizer.
Old leaves fold down into a shaggy skirt, and removing them is optional. Cut each spent flower stalk low after it finishes, and it will bloom again in later years.
Snout weevils are the main insect pest of yuccas. The leaves wilt or lean, the base goes soft, and the plant collapses. Good drainage and little water once rooted keep it healthy, and a collapsed plant should come out with the soil around it so grubs do not spread.
It is rated to about 0 to 10°F. Keep the soil on the dry side in winter, since wet, cool soil leads to rot.
Drainage test first. Dig the hole and fill it with water. If water is still sitting in the hole a day later, you likely hit caliche, clay or hard soil, so fix the drainage before planting. If it drains very fast, the soil is sandy. Standing water around roots is a common reason new plants fail.
Weed cloth. Cut it away from the planting hole and where the roots will spread. Remove any plastic sheeting completely, since it keeps water and air out of the soil.
Rock or decomposed granite with no soil underneath. Bring in soil close in texture to your native soil, mix it with the soil below, and build up enough depth for roots before planting.
If you can break through. Use a breaker bar, pick, or jackhammer. Dig through the caliche and break out the solid chunks. Backfill with the soil you dug out, with no compost or manure in the hole. Confirm drainage before planting.
If you cannot break through. Dig narrow holes through the hard layer beside the root ball, not under it, and refill them with the same soil, not gravel. If it still will not drain, plant on a low mound of the same soil.
Root ball. Check the outside edges for any roots circling around. Loosen or cut those so they grow outward. Do not break up the center of the root ball.
Depth. The top of the root ball should sit at or just slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting too deep can lead to rot and kill the plant.
Drip emitters. At planting, put the emitters on the root ball, on different sides of the plant. After about 2 months, move them to the outer edge of the root ball. Over the first year, add emitters farther out toward the edge of the branches as roots grow. Once a plant is rooted, never water only at the trunk.
How big does blue yucca get?
It grows about 12 feet tall and can reach 15, with a spread of about 6 to 8 feet. The trunk branches little, and only near the top on older plants.
How fast does blue yucca grow?
It grows at a slow to moderate pace. It takes years to build a trunk, so larger sizes are the way to get height sooner.
How far apart should I plant blue yucca?
Plant them about 4 to 6 feet apart for a close group, or 6 to 8 feet apart to let each one reach its full spread. The Spacing tab has the details.
How often should I water blue yucca?
Water more often until it roots in. After that it rarely needs water, but a deep soak during long, hot, dry summer spells keeps it looking its best.
Can blue yucca take reflected heat?
Yes. It wants full sun and handles reflected heat off walls and paving, along with low desert summer heat.
Is blue yucca cold hardy?
Yes. It is rated hardy to about 0 to 10°F.
What soil does blue yucca need?
Well-drained soil is a must, and rocky soil suits it best. It should never sit in soggy ground. If you hit caliche, dig through it so the hole drains.
Are blue yucca leaves sharp?
Yes. The stiff leaves end in very sharp spines, so plant it well away from walkways, pool edges, seating and play areas.
Should I trim the dead leaves off the trunk?
That is up to you. The dead leaves stay on and form a thatch skirt down the trunk. Some people cut them off close to the trunk for a cleaner look, and others leave them.
When does blue yucca bloom?
It blooms in late spring into summer, with creamy white bell flowers on stalks that rise about 3 to 6 feet above the leaves. It does not die after blooming, so just cut the spent stalk low once it fades.
Is blue yucca toxic to pets?
Yucca is listed as toxic to dogs, cats and horses, and chewing it usually causes vomiting in dogs and cats. The sharp leaf tips can also injure a pet, so plant it where pets do not play.
What is the difference between blue yucca and beaked yucca?
Both are blue, tree-form yuccas. Blue yucca has stiff, flat leaves with yellow edges. Beaked yucca has narrower leaves in a round crown.
Blue Yucca for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Blue yucca is a Chihuahuan Desert yucca grown for its stiff, powder-blue leaves and upright, tree-like form. It makes a strong vertical accent on very little water and takes full Valley sun. Below are the questions homeowners ask most before planting one.
Sourced from trusted Arizona growers and delivered directly to your door, job site, or property. We deliver across the Valley and to nearby towns, and quote delivery anywhere else in Arizona.
How tall does blue yucca get in Phoenix?
Plan for about 12 feet tall, up to 15, and 6 to 8 feet wide. It grows at a slow to moderate pace on a trunk that branches little.
Can blue yucca take reflected heat?
Yes. It wants full sun and takes reflected heat off walls, driveways and paving, along with low desert summer heat.
How often do you water blue yucca in the Valley?
Water more often until it roots in, then rarely, with a deep soak in long, hot, dry summer spells. Wet, poorly drained soil is what kills it.
How far apart do you plant blue yucca?
Space them about 4 to 6 feet apart for a close group, or 6 to 8 feet apart to give each one its full spread.
Blue yucca vs beaked yucca
Both are blue, tree-like yuccas for desert yards. Blue yucca has stiffer, flatter leaves with thin yellow edges. Beaked yucca forms a rounder crown of narrow leaves.
Where should you plant blue yucca?
Give it room away from walkways, pools and play areas, because the leaf tips are very sharp. It looks best against dark green plants or a plain wall.
Where does blue yucca come from?
It is native to the Chihuahuan Desert of northern Mexico, and its flowers are pollinated by yucca moths.
We deliver across the Valley, from Phoenix, Scottsdale and Mesa out to San Tan Valley, Maricopa and Casa Grande, and up to Prescott, Sedona, Payson and Globe. See delivery areas and rates.