Banana Yucca
Yucca baccata
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
Stan Shebs
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asparagaceae
- Genus:
- Yucca
- Species:
- Yucca baccata
- USDA Symbol:
- YUBA
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Shrub , Subshrub
- Height:
- 150 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun
- Bloom Colors:
- white, cream
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★★☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Aethes yuccatana, Blastobasis yuccaecolella, Prodoxus coloradensis, Prodoxus phylloryctus, Prodoxus quinquepunctella, Prodoxus y-inversus, Sosipatra rileyella, Yucca moth (Tegeticula yuccasella), Colorado giant skipper (Megathymus coloradensis)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Butterflies:ursus giant skipper (Megathymus ursus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Yucca baccata resprouts from underground rhizomes after fire; it is not fire-dependent but can persist in fire-prone habitats.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to arid desert regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 30–90 days
- Notes:
- Seeds benefit from cold stratification for 1-2 months; sow in well-drained soil and keep warm after stratification.
Pre-treatment: Seeds should be transplanted soon after germination before radicle elongates excessively. Seeds may benefit from a rigorous imbibition treatment and/or leaching of germination inhibitors. This involves wet tumbling in a rubber-lined rock tumbler jar with tap water, changing the water daily to remove any inhibitors. The duration of tumbling is based on the appearance of the seed and the leach water.
Source: npn.rngr.net
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Sheffield's Seed (seeds)