Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Spanish Dagger (Carnerosana)
Giant Spanish Dagger, Yucca carnerosana, is a tree yucca from the Chihuahuan Desert of northeastern Mexico. Over many years it builds a stout trunk topped with rigid, dagger-like green leaves trimmed in white threads, reaching 15 to 20 feet tall. In late spring it opens large, snowy white flowers on a tall stalk. It makes a bold, long-term specimen for a sunny desert yard with room to grow.
Best for: a long-term specimen in a sunny desert yard, a tall accent where it has room to grow, and large beds kept well back from walks and play areas.
Over many years it builds a trunk about a foot thick, topped with a crown of stiff leaves. Plant it where you can enjoy it for decades and it can reach 15 to 20 feet.
It grows in full sun and tolerates light shade. Once rooted, deep soakings with the soil drying in between keep it going.
In late spring mature plants open large, snowy white flowers about 3 inches wide on a tall stalk, and small yucca moths pollinate them.
The rigid leaves end in sharp points, so keep it well back from walks and play areas. Soggy soil can rot the roots, and yucca is listed as toxic to pets if eaten.
- Closer group4 ft apart
- Group planting4-6 ft apart
Water new plants more often until they root in. Once rooted, water deeply about every 2 to 4 weeks in summer and let the soil dry between soakings, with little or none in winter.
Plant it at the same depth it grew in the pot, in soil that drains well. It does not need any fertilizer.
Cut the spent flower stalk as low as you can after bloom. Old leaves fold down along the trunk, and trimming them is up to you.
A snout weevil attacks yuccas, and stressed, overwatered plants are most at risk. If a plant wilts and collapses, remove it and the soil right around it.
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 Giant Spanish Dagger get?
In time it can reach 15 to 20 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide, on a trunk about a foot thick. Young plants start small, so give it a spot where it has room to grow for decades.
When does it bloom?
Mature plants bloom in late spring with large, snowy white flowers on a tall stalk. Cut the spent stalk low once the flowers finish.
How cold hardy is Yucca carnerosana?
It is hardy in Phoenix to about 10°F, and some growers rate it colder. A normal Valley winter will not hurt it.
How often should I water it?
Water new plants more often until they root in. Once rooted, water deeply and let the soil dry between soakings, about every 2 to 4 weeks in summer and little or none in winter.
Does it need full sun?
Full sun suits it best, though it tolerates light shade. Plant it in an open, sunny spot.
How is it different from Yucca faxoniana?
The two tree yuccas look alike and are often confused. Carnerosana has longer flower tubes, and newer research treats them as separate species.
Are the leaves sharp?
Yes. The rigid, dagger-like leaves end in sharp points. Plant it well back from walks, pools and play areas, and wear gloves when you handle it.
Is it toxic to pets?
Yucca is listed as toxic to dogs, cats and horses and usually causes vomiting if eaten. Plant it where pets cannot chew on it.
What soil does it need?
Soil that drains well, including alkaline desert soil. Never plant it in soggy ground, and dig through any caliche so the hole drains.
Spanish Dagger (Carnerosana) for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Giant Spanish Dagger (Yucca carnerosana) is one of the big tree yuccas of the Chihuahuan Desert, native to Coahuila and nearby states in Mexico. It grows a thick trunk and can reach 15 to 20 feet. Below: size, sun, water, cold, blooming, spines and how it differs from Yucca faxoniana.
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.
What is Giant Spanish Dagger?
Giant Spanish Dagger (Yucca carnerosana) is a tree yucca from the Chihuahuan Desert of northeastern Mexico. It grows a stout trunk topped with rigid green leaves edged in white threads.
How tall does Yucca carnerosana get?
It can reach 15 to 20 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide over many years, on a trunk about a foot thick.
When does Giant Spanish Dagger bloom?
Mature plants bloom in late spring with large, snowy white flowers on a tall stalk. Yucca moths pollinate the flowers.
Is Yucca carnerosana cold hardy in Phoenix?
Yes. It is hardy in Phoenix to about 10°F, so Valley winters are not a problem.
Yucca carnerosana vs Yucca faxoniana
These two tree yuccas are often confused. Carnerosana has longer flower tubes, and recent research treats them as separate species.
Watering Giant Spanish Dagger
Water new plants more often until they root in. Once rooted, water deeply and let the soil dry between soakings, with little or none in winter.
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