Red Yucca
Hesperaloe parviflora
One of the toughest and most rewarding desert plants, sending up arching coral-red flower spikes that hummingbirds adore.
Very cold hardy to near 0°F, USDA 9-11; excellent across low and high desert.
AMWUA Notes
One of the toughest, most water-thrifty accents; long-blooming on almost no irrigation.
Care Guide
Extremely drought tolerant; water established plants monthly at most. Overwatering causes floppy growth and rot.
Cut spent flower stalks at the base to keep it tidy and remove any dead leaves; no other pruning needed.
Not necessary; it blooms best in lean soil.
The agave/yucca snout weevil rarely attacks it; otherwise essentially pest-free.
Cold hardy to near 0°F and heat-loving; it blooms spring through fall, feeding hummingbirds over a long season.
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 the clump or seed
4-5 ft
Shallow, non-invasive roots; soft, non-spiny and safe near pools and paths
Placement Tips
- •Ideal for mass plantings, borders and hummingbird gardens.
- •Soft, non-spiny and safe near pools, paths and play areas.
- •Give it 5 ft of room.
- •Plant in fast-draining soil in full sun.
Features
Best Uses
Ecological Value
Attracts
Companion Plants
Quick Stats
Design Styles
Include in Your Project
Love Red Yucca? Our landscape team sources from wholesale nurseries and can incorporate it into your design.
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Use this care guide to maintain your Red Yucca. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.
Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.
Red Yucca — common questions
Answers for low-desert Phoenix conditions, drawn from this plant’s growing data.
How much water does Red Yucca need in Phoenix?
Red Yucca is a very low-water succulent once established. Extremely drought tolerant; water established plants monthly at most. Overwatering causes floppy growth and rot. One of the toughest, most water-thrifty accents; long-blooming on almost no irrigation.
How big does Red Yucca get?
Expect roughly 3 ft tall and 5 ft wide at maturity, with a slow growth rate. Allow about 4-5 ft of spacing when planting. Shallow, non-invasive roots; soft, non-spiny and safe near pools and paths.
Can you plant Red Yucca near a pool?
Yes. Red Yucca is considered pool-friendly, meaning it stays clean enough around water features and hardscape. Litter is rated low.
Can Red Yucca handle Arizona heat and winter frost?
Red Yucca is hardy in USDA 9-11 and wants full sun. Very cold hardy to near 0°F, USDA 9-11; excellent across low and high desert. Cold hardy to near 0°F and heat-loving; it blooms spring through fall, feeding hummingbirds over a long season.
Does Red Yucca have thorns?
No. Red Yucca is thornless, so it is safe alongside walkways, patios and play areas.
Is Red Yucca safe around pets?
Red 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 Red Yucca bloom in Arizona?
Red Yucca blooms in spring-summer, with coral-red flowers. The bloom draws hummingbirds.
How much maintenance does Red Yucca need?
Red Yucca is low-maintenance. Leaf, flower and pod litter is rated low. Cut spent flower stalks at the base to keep it tidy and remove any dead leaves; no other pruning needed.
What kind of soil does Red Yucca need?
Fast-draining decomposed granite or gritty mineral soil; low organic matter. It needs no supplemental feeding. Not necessary; it blooms best in lean soil.
Is Red Yucca native to Arizona?
No. Red Yucca is not an Arizona native; it originates from the Western Texas and Northeastern Mexico, but it is grown successfully in low-desert landscapes here.