Schott's Yucca
Yucca × schottii
- Native to:
- United States
GBIF: chrisbean2
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asparagaceae
- Genus:
- Yucca
- Species:
- Yucca × schottii
- USDA Symbol:
- YUSC
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb , Shrub , Subshrub , Tree
- Height:
- 300 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug
- Bloom Colors:
- white, cream
- Evergreen Shrub:
- Yes
- 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, Holcocera gigantella, Holcocera paradoxa, Parategeticula pollenifera, Prodoxus coloradensis, Prodoxus ochrocarus, Prodoxus phylloryctus, Prodoxus quinquepunctella, Prodoxus sordidus, Prodoxus y-inversus, Sosipatra rileyella, Tegeticula synthetica, Yucca moth (Tegeticula yuccasella), Colorado giant skipper (Megathymus coloradensis)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from basal rosette after fire; adapted to fire-prone habitats.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, 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, mountainous 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.