Yucca Gloriosa Variegata or Variegated Yucca

Yucca Gloriosa Variegata is a Variegated Yucca with the RHS AGM. It’s evergreen in mild locations and suits architectural urban gardens or Mediterranean-style spaces.

Yucca Gloriosa is native to South-eastern North America’s coast and islands where it grows in warm, well-drained sand dunes and is called the Spanish Dagger Plant. This is a variegated version of the Yucca Gloriosa plant. It has sharp sword-like leaves that grow upright in a clump. Instead of Yucca Gloriosa’s fully green foliage, Variegata has an attractive warm yellow margin.

When it’s grown in full sun it will flower on two-metre tall stems during late summer. Its flowers are bell-shaped and creamy-white in broad panicles and a welcome treat for early autumn’s pollinators. In milder areas Variegated Yucca remains evergreen, but it will die down in cold parts of the UK.

This is a superb architectural plant that suits modern urban gardens and tropical, Mediterranean-style spaces with plenty of sun and shelter.

Height And Spread of Yucca Gloriosa Variegata
Variegated Yucca reaches a maximum height of and spread of 2.5 metres over 10 years-20 years.

How Hardy Is Yucca Gloriosa Variegata
It’s hardy in most of the UK down to freezing temperatures if its roots are well drained and it’s sheltered from the worst of our rain and frost. It will struggle to flower in cooler areas.
Yucca plants are very drought tolerant once established and are rarely affected by pests or diseases.

How To Use Yucca Gloriosa Variegata
Variegated Yucca is a must-have in sunny architectural gardens and coastal areas. Its spiky foliage has a modern edge and the flowers are not fussy. Variegated yucca thrives in dry wallside borders or sheltered hot balconies where they bring lots of Mediterranean appeal.

They’ll also grow in large well-watered and fed pots, which is an advantage in colder areas because they can be brought inside or moved against a wall when the cool temperatures arrive.

Because the tips are sharp, care should be taken around children and pets.

How To Care For Yucca Gloriosa Variegata
If it’s planted in a well-drained sunny spot Variegated Yucca needs very little care. The majority of well-drained soils are suitable including chalk, loam and sand. Although they will grow in an exposed spot, the best results are from sheltered sunny borders.
Water Yucca Gloriosa Variegata well until it’s established and apply a layer of mulch to the roots in early spring. In cold areas where yucca dies back a layer of mulch or a cloche across the crown will help keep the worst of the winter wet at bay.
Pruning isn’t required but spent flower spikes can be snapped off when they become unsightly.