Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Yucca Jewel
Yucca Jewel is a variegated Spanish dagger, with stiff blue-green leaves edged in wide bands that open gold and turn rich cream. It builds a short trunk over the years, reaching about 4 to 5 feet in its first decade. In summer it sends up spikes of large, fragrant, white bell-shaped flowers. It brings year-round color to entries, planters and patio containers.
Best for: a color accent by an entry, in a planter or bed with morning sun, and large patio containers.
The wide gold-to-cream leaf edges stand out against blue-green centers all year. It works as an accent or focal point by an entry or in a raised planter.
It grows in large containers on patios and porches. Use a sandy, fast-draining mix and a spot with morning sun.
In summer it sends up spikes about 3 feet tall of large, fragrant, white bell-shaped flowers. It keeps growing after it blooms.
In Phoenix, full afternoon sun and very dry, low-water beds can turn the leaves yellow. Give it morning sun and water every few weeks. The stiff leaves end in sharp tips, so keep it back from paths.
- Closer group4 ft apart
- Group planting4-6 ft apart
Keep the root area slightly damp until a new plant roots in. Once rooted, water deeply every few weeks in summer and less in winter. It needs more water than the desert yuccas, and leaves can yellow when kept too dry. Let the soil dry between soakings.
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, and skip the fertilizer, since it does not need any. It does best with morning sun and some afternoon shade in the Valley.
Old leaves fold down into a shaggy skirt, and removing them is optional. Cut each spent flower stalk low after it finishes. It blooms again in later years.
Snout weevils are the pest to watch for on yuccas. Leaves wilt or lean, the base goes soft, and the plant collapses. Good drainage and little water once rooted keep it healthy. Remove a collapsed plant and the soil around it so grubs do not spread.
It is rated to about 10°F, with published ratings from about 10 to 22°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.
What does Yucca Jewel look like?
It has stiff, sword-shaped, blue-green leaves with wide edges that open gold and turn rich cream. The edges can blush pink in cool weather.
How big does Yucca Jewel get?
It reaches about 4 to 5 feet tall in its first ten years, forming a short trunk. Older plants can reach 6 to 10 feet tall and about 4 to 6 feet wide.
Does Yucca Jewel need full sun in Phoenix?
Morning sun with some afternoon shade suits it best here. In full Phoenix sun, and in very dry beds, Spanish dagger leaves often turn yellow.
How often should I water Yucca Jewel?
Water more often until it roots in. After that, water about every few weeks to keep it looking good. It is not as drought tolerant as desert yuccas.
Is Yucca Jewel cold hardy?
Yes. It is rated to about 10°F, with published ratings from about 10 to 22°F, so a normal Valley winter does not hurt it.
When does Yucca Jewel bloom?
In summer, with spikes of large, fragrant, white bell-shaped flowers. It does not die after blooming, so just cut the spent stalk low once it fades.
Can Yucca Jewel grow in a pot?
Yes. It grows well in containers on patios and porches. Use a sandy, fast-draining mix.
Are the leaves sharp?
Yes. The stiff leaves end in sharp tips. Keep it back from walkways, pool edges and play areas.
Is Yucca Jewel toxic to pets?
Yucca is listed as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. In dogs and cats, chewing it usually causes vomiting. The sharp tips can also injure a pet.
What soil does it need?
Plant it in sandy, well-drained soil. Wet soil causes problems, so never let it sit soggy. If you hit caliche, dig through it so the hole drains.
Yucca Jewel for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Yucca Jewel is a variegated form of Spanish dagger, grown for its gold-to-cream edged leaves and fragrant summer flowers. It suits entries, planters and large pots with morning sun. Below are the questions Valley homeowners ask most before planting one.
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Variegated Spanish dagger in Phoenix
Give it morning sun and some afternoon shade. Spanish dagger often yellows in full Phoenix sun and in very dry beds, so water it every few weeks.
How big Yucca Jewel gets
Expect about 4 to 5 feet tall over its first ten years, on a short trunk. Older plants can reach 6 to 10 feet.
Yucca Jewel leaf color
The blue-green leaves have wide edges that come in gold and turn rich cream. They can blush pink in cool weather.
Yucca Jewel flowers
In summer it sends up spikes of large, fragrant, white bells. The plant keeps growing after it blooms.
Yucca Jewel in containers
It grows well in large pots on patios and porches. A sandy, fast-draining mix keeps the roots healthy.
Watering Yucca Jewel in the Valley
Water more often until it roots in, then every few weeks. Don't keep the soil wet.
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