Yucca elata 'Soaptree Yucca' COLD HARDY Zone 5!

Yucca elata Oregon 'Soaptree Yucca'

Oregon Blue/Grey form - Cold Hardy -20F!


The Soaptree Yucca is a handsome species of yucca that can grow a single trunk or multiple trunks and dense but thinner (when compared to Y. rostrata) crown of foliage, 8-12 ft. tall; Stiff blue-grey leaves are 1-2 ft. long, have slightly drooping tips and together create a large circular canopy; old leaves persist on trunks for many years unless removed. Striking clusters of creamy-white flowers occur on 2-3 ft. long stalks well above the foliage in early spring.


Soaptree yucca is native to the desert regions of Mexico and parts of the American southwest where it tolerates heat, aridity, sun and temperatures to 0°F or below. It develops striking foliage character and colorful flower clusters that make it popular as an accent plant in southwestern and Mediterranean style gardens, perfect for xeriscaping! It is often grown with other cacti and succulents, in raised planters and amount boulders.

These particular plants were sourced from our own seed with parent trees in the high desert of Central Oregon, U.S.A. This variation seems to produce a striking blue/grey color foliage that seem to glow in the sun! Parent trees have been growing in our cold high desert garden where they routinely see temps as low as -10F! The parent trees have survived -12F with NO DAMAGE whatsoever and we think these plants are cold hardy to well below -20F... zone 5!! These even seem to grow much faster than standard Yuccas!

The Soaptree yucca is well adapted to hot climate locations where it thrives in sun and with normal winter snow and rainfall, and low amounts of summer water. When it matures, it is a colorful flowering accent shrub for courtyard and southwestern plantings due to its large flower inflorescence. Monthly deep watering from spring through fall will enhance its spring flowering cycle and help maintain good foliage character.