Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Red Yucca
Red Yucca forms a fountain of long, narrow evergreen leaves about 3 to 4 feet tall. From spring into fall it sends up tall stalks of coral-red tubular flowers, and hummingbirds come to them all season. The leaves are soft, with no sharp tips, so it works near pools, patios and walkways. Once rooted, it needs very little water.
Best for: pool surrounds, hot entries and walkways, medians and borders, large containers, and hummingbird gardens on very little water.
The leaves are soft and have no sharp tips, and litter is low. That is why it turns up so often around pools, patios and busy walkways.
Coral-red tubular flowers open along tall stalks from spring well into summer, and often into fall. Hummingbirds visit them for months, and butterflies come too.
It takes full sun and reflected heat, so it holds up in hot entries, streetside beds and medians. It also grows well as an accent in a large container.
In shade it blooms less. Heavy, wet soil can rot the roots. Shearing ruins its shape, and young plants can need protection from javelina and rabbits.
- Closer group4 ft apart
- Wider group6 ft apart
Water it regularly the first year, taking care not to overdo it. Once rooted, rain carries it much of the year. In summer, a deep soak every 2 to 4 weeks keeps it blooming. Heavy, wet soil can rot the roots.
Shearing ruins the natural fountain of leaves. The only upkeep it needs is cutting spent flower stalks at the base and pulling old dead leaves, which come out easily.
Tall stalks of coral-red tubular flowers rise from spring well into summer, and often into fall. Hummingbirds come to them for months. Cut the stalks down once they finish.
Aphids can show up on the new flower stalks in early spring, often with ants tending them.
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.
Is Red Yucca a real yucca?
No. It is a Hesperaloe, a close relative of agaves and yuccas, but not a true yucca or an aloe. The name comes from its yucca-like leaves and flower stalks.
How big does Red Yucca get?
The leaf clump reaches about 3 to 4 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide. Most flower stalks rise about 3 to 6 feet, and some reach 8 to 10 feet.
How far apart should I plant Red Yucca?
Plant it about 4 to 6 feet apart center to center. Each clump grows 3 to 5 feet wide, and the Spacing tab counts plants for your bed.
When does Red Yucca bloom?
It blooms from spring well into summer, and often into fall. The flowers are coral-red and tubular, on stalks well above the leaves.
Does Red Yucca attract hummingbirds?
Yes. The tubular flowers are a strong draw for hummingbirds, and butterflies visit too.
How often should I water Red Yucca?
Water it regularly the first year, without overdoing it. Once rooted, rain covers much of the year. In summer, a deep soak every 2 to 4 weeks keeps it growing and blooming well.
Can I plant Red Yucca by my pool?
Yes, it is a common pool plant. The leaves are soft, with no sharp tips, and it drops little litter.
How do I trim Red Yucca?
Do not shear it, which ruins its shape. Cut spent flower stalks down at the base once they finish. Pull old dead leaves, which come out easily.
Does Red Yucca spread?
It forms pups next to the main plant, so the clump slowly gets wider. A clump that outgrows its spot can be divided.
Will javelina or rabbits eat Red Yucca?
Yes, they can. Javelina can dig up the whole plant to eat the roots. Young plants can need a wire cage against javelina and rabbits for the first year.
Is Red Yucca poisonous to dogs or cats?
It is listed as toxic. The leaves and fruit are reported to be poisonous, and it has been reported as toxic to dogs.
How cold hardy is Red Yucca?
It is very cold hardy, rated to about -20°F. It also takes full sun and reflected heat.
How does it compare with Brakelights, Yellow Yucca and Giant Hesperaloe?
Yellow Yucca is the same plant with creamy yellow flowers. Brakelights is a smaller, brighter red variety. Giant Hesperaloe is much bigger, about 6 feet tall and wide, with creamy white flowers on 10 to 15 foot stalks.
Red Yucca for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Red Yucca is a clumping evergreen from the Chihuahuan Desert with soft, narrow leaves and tall stalks of coral-red flowers. It takes full sun and reflected heat, needs very little water and draws hummingbirds from spring into fall. Below is what to expect in a Valley yard, from size and spacing to trimming and how it compares with its relatives.
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.
Is Red Yucca a yucca?
No. Red Yucca is a Hesperaloe, a close relative of agaves and yuccas. Its narrow leaves and tall flower stalks look like a yucca's, which is where the common name comes from. It is not an aloe either.
How big does Red Yucca get in Phoenix?
The leaf clump grows about 3 to 4 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide. Most flower stalks rise about 3 to 6 feet, and some reach 8 to 10 feet. It forms pups, so the clump widens slowly over time.
How often do you water Red Yucca in Arizona?
Water it regularly the first year without overdoing it. Once it is rooted, rain covers much of the year. A deep soak every 2 to 4 weeks in summer keeps it growing and blooming well.
Red Yucca and hummingbirds
Red Yucca is a hummingbird favorite. Its coral-red tubular flowers open along tall stalks from spring well into summer, and often into fall. Butterflies visit the flowers too.
Is Red Yucca good around a pool?
Yes. It is a common choice around pools and in busy spots because the leaves are soft, with no sharp tips, and it drops little litter. It also takes full sun and reflected heat.
How do you trim Red Yucca?
Do not shear it, because shearing ruins the fountain shape. Cut spent flower stalks down at the base once they finish, and pull old dead leaves, which come out easily. That is all the upkeep it needs.
Red Yucca vs Brakelights and Yellow Yucca
Yellow Yucca is the same plant with creamy yellow flowers. Brakelights is a smaller, brighter red variety. Red Yucca is the full-size plant with coral-red flowers.
Red Yucca vs Giant Hesperaloe
Giant Hesperaloe is a close relative that grows about 6 feet tall and wide. It sends up creamy white flowers on stalks about 10 to 15 feet tall, and its leaves have sharp tips. Red Yucca is smaller, with soft leaves.
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.