Paleleaf Yucca
Yucca pallida
A compact pale blue-green yucca perfectly sized for containers and small garden spaces, pollinated by yucca moths.
Cold hardy to about 10°F, USDA 9-11; adaptable across low and mid desert.
AMWUA Notes
Compact, low-water yucca perfect for small water-thrifty gardens.
Care Guide
Water established plants monthly at most; very drought tolerant and rot-prone if overwatered.
Remove dead outer leaves and spent flower stalks; no shaping needed.
Not necessary.
Essentially pest-free.
Cold hardy to around 10°F and heat-tolerant; compact enough to hold its form all year with little litter.
Soil, Feeding & Propagation
Fast-draining decomposed granite or gritty mineral soil; low organic matter
Needs sharp, fast-draining soil.
None — thrives in lean desert soil without fertilizer.
Division of offsets or seed
4 ft
Shallow, non-invasive roots; firm leaf tips, so keep off tight walkways
Placement Tips
- •Ideal for containers, small spaces and rock gardens.
- •The leaf tips are firm, so keep off tight walkways.
- •Give it 4 ft of room.
- •Plant in fast-draining soil.
Features
Best Uses
Ecological Value
Attracts
Companion Plants
Quick Stats
Design Styles
Include in Your Project
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Use this care guide to maintain your Paleleaf Yucca. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.
Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.
Paleleaf Yucca — common questions
Answers for low-desert Phoenix conditions, drawn from this plant’s growing data.
How much water does Paleleaf Yucca need in Phoenix?
Paleleaf Yucca is a very low-water accent plant once established. Water established plants monthly at most; very drought tolerant and rot-prone if overwatered. Compact, low-water yucca perfect for small water-thrifty gardens.
How big does Paleleaf Yucca get?
Expect roughly 2 ft tall and 4 ft wide at maturity, with a slow growth rate. Allow about 4 ft of spacing when planting. Shallow, non-invasive roots; firm leaf tips, so keep off tight walkways.
Can you plant Paleleaf Yucca near a pool?
Not ideally. Paleleaf Yucca is not rated pool-friendly, so it is better placed away from the pool deck and skimmer. Litter is rated low.
Can Paleleaf Yucca handle Arizona heat and winter frost?
Paleleaf Yucca is hardy in USDA 9-11 and wants full sun. Cold hardy to about 10°F, USDA 9-11; adaptable across low and mid desert. Cold hardy to around 10°F and heat-tolerant; compact enough to hold its form all year with little litter.
Does Paleleaf Yucca have thorns?
Yes — Paleleaf Yucca has small thorns. Site it back from walkways, seating and pool decks where people brush past.
Is Paleleaf Yucca safe around pets?
Paleleaf Yucca is listed as pet-friendly in this guide. If your dog is a determined chewer, check any new plant with your vet before planting.
When does Paleleaf Yucca bloom in Arizona?
Paleleaf Yucca blooms in late spring-summer, with white flowers. The bloom draws yucca moths.
How much maintenance does Paleleaf Yucca need?
Paleleaf Yucca is low-maintenance. Leaf, flower and pod litter is rated low. Remove dead outer leaves and spent flower stalks; no shaping needed.
What kind of soil does Paleleaf Yucca need?
Fast-draining decomposed granite or gritty mineral soil; low organic matter. It needs no supplemental feeding. Not necessary.
Is Paleleaf Yucca native to Arizona?
No. Paleleaf Yucca is not an Arizona native; it originates from the Central Texas, but it is grown successfully in low-desert landscapes here.