When people think of “Yucca,” they primarily think of the popular houseplant with the palm-like tuft of leaves and the thick trunk. What few people know: The plant family of palm lilies (as yuccas are also called) includes around 50 different species and 30 subspecies - many of which are kept either in the garden or indoors. At this point we would like to introduce you to the most beautiful types of Yucca for indoor and outdoor use.
What types of yucca palms are there?
The different types of Yucca include Yucca filamentosa, Yucca gloriosa, Yucca baccata, Yucca rostrata, Yucca thompsoniana, Yucca elephantipes, Yucca brevifolia, Yucca glauca and Yucca recurvifolia. They vary in their origin, outdoor or indoor suitability, winter hardiness, growth habit and height.
The most beautiful Yucca species at a glance
In this table you will find an overview of the best-known and most popular Yucca types for home and garden. Many of the species listed can be safely planted in the garden and overwintered there, but others are only suitable for indoor cultivation. However, even indoor yuccas feel comfortable in the fresh air - for example on the balcony or terrace - in the warm summer months.
| Yucca type | German common name | Origin | Outdoor / Indoor | Hardy yes / no | Growth habit | Growth height |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yucca filamentosa | Threaded Palm Lily | Southern USA | Outdoor | yes (up to – 30 º C) | tribeless | without flowers up to approx. 0.6 meters |
| Yucca gloriosa | Candle Palm Lily | Southern USA | Outdoor | yes (up to – 25 º C) | Tribe | up to three meters |
| Yucca baccata | Blue Palm Lily | Southern USA, Mexico | Outdoor | yes (up to – 30 º C) | stemless or short trunk | up to one meter |
| Yucca rostrata | Big Bend Yucca | Texas (USA), Mexico | Outdoor | yes (up to – 20 º C) | Tribe | up to five meters |
| Yucca thompsoniana | – | Texas (USA), Mexico | Outdoor | yes (up to – 20 º C) | Tribe | up to three meters |
| Yucca elephantipes | Giant Palm Lily | Mexico | Indoor | no | Tribe | up to 12 meters (outdoors) |
| Yucca brevifolia | Joshua Tree | Southern USA, Mexico | Indoor | no | Tribe | up to 15 meters (in the open) |
| Yucca glauca | Blue-green palm lily | Southern USA | Outdoor | yes (up to – 35 °C) | stemless or with a short trunk | up to 1.5 meters |
| Yucca recurvifolia | – | Southern USA | Outdoor | yes (up to – 25 °C) | Tribe | up to three meters |
Yuccas are not palm trees
Although the pretty and easy-care plants are often sold under the name “yucca palm”, this name is incorrect – despite all their external similarities, the various yuccas do not belong to the palm family. Instead, the popular ornamental plants are related to the no less popular vegetable asparagus - yuccas are part of the asparagus family and the subfamily of the agave family. Palm lilies are only found in Central America, but grow there in different climate zones.
Tip
Since yuccas are not palm trees, you can prune them radically without worrying. In contrast to palm trees, palm lilies are very easy to cut.
