How Fast Do Yucca Plants Grow: Properly Caring for the Unique Plant

If you are attracted to the idea of having Yucca plants at home, you should also learn about its basic facts, including how fast do Yucca plants grow. People tend to call this plant the prickly or the needle plants because of their leaves. In terms of visual appearance, they share similarities to dragon plants or agave.

How Fast Do Yucca Plants Grow: Understanding the Facts

Yucca is basically the genus of more than forty different perennial trees, shrubs, and plants. They are known as the big and gigantic outdoor plants although some of them may be grown indoors as houseplants. This plant is native to the Caribbean, Mexico, and Southwest America.

As stated before, Yucca plants can grow super big and somewhat monstrous. When they are still small, they can be grown indoors. But as years go by and they grow, they may end up outdoors because their size would overwhelm the available space indoors. But no need to worry.

Even when grown outdoors, they are pretty resilient and tough. They can handle cold as well as heat. Some species are doing well within subzero temperatures, while others are doing fine in sandy, poor, and rather arid soil.

Keep in mind that some variants can grow pretty fast. They may grow two feet high each year, up to a point where they may reach 4 feet or even 10 feet of height. It’s also possible to expect them to grow taller. Some, however, are considered slow growers. They ‘only’ grow 5 inches per year.

In general, Yucca plants need 2 years, up to 3 years, to mature and reach their maximum height. However, some varieties like Joshua Tree Yucca need at least 50 years to mature. So, it really depends on the varieties.

Yucca Plant Types

Whereas most people think that Yucca plants only come in one type only, there are plentiful different types. In outdoor areas, they can be free in reaching their full height. But some of the most popular options are:

  • Yucca Gigantea. Mostly known as Yucca cane or Spineless Yucca, the plant has this bulbous base having sword leaves with sword-like look. The mature specimens will grow to small but branching trees. The trunks are bare but have spiraled rosettes and arching leaves. They are slow growers. They can be grown indoors at first, but you will have to move them outside once they have outgrown the space.
  • Yucca Aloifolia. Also known as Spanish bayonet, the leaves are stiff and have sharp points. Because the leaves can be dangerous, this plant isn’t advisable for houses with (small) kids and pets.
  • Banana Yucca. The succulent has this cactus-like appearance that has sweet and fleshy seed pods. The unique thing about this plant is that they may have similar shape (and size) like the banana but their taste is similar to sweet potatoes.

Bottom Line

You need to perform your research carefully and thoroughly of which Yucca plants to choose. Remember, different varieties will lead to different height and preparation. Find out how much a variety will grow and how high it will be. Once you know the answer to the question how fast do Yucca plants grow, you won’t have to be surprised with the result.