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Mojave Yucca

Yucca schidigera

true

1 gallon; 5 gallon

Mojave Yucca

In stock

1'x15'

Sizes:

Mojave Yucca – Yucca schidigera
Also known as: Spanish Dagger

Mojave Yucca is a visually striking species in the Agave family native to southern California and well adapted to desert transition zones. It typically grows in creosote bush scrub and on rocky slopes between 980 and 3,940 feet in elevation. While especially characteristic of the Mojave Desert, its range also includes portions of the Sonoran Desert, coastal southern California, and Baja California.

This arborescent (tree-like) yucca begins its life as a rosette of rigid, sword-like leaves and eventually develops a trunk that can reach over 10 feet tall. Older specimens may resemble small Joshua Trees. The leaves grow up to 5 feet long, with tough fibers and curling threads along the margins. Historically, Indigenous peoples harvested these fibers to create cordage, baskets, and sandals.

In spring, Mojave Yucca sends up a dense inflorescence of creamy white to slightly purplish flowers on a stout stalk. These blooms are pollinated exclusively by the Yucca Moth (Tegeticula spp.) in a highly specialized mutualistic relationship. Unlike some other yuccas, Y. schidigera does not die after blooming and may flower multiple times in its lifespan.

Mojave Yucca prefers full sun and very well-drained soils, such as sandy or gravelly areas. It is exceptionally drought-tolerant and cold hardy to about 10°F, making it suitable for both high and low desert landscapes. Its slow growth and architectural form make it a standout in native and waterwise gardens.

Wildlife Value
Host Plant: Yucca Moth (Tegeticula spp.); Yucca Giant Skipper (Megathymus yuccae)
Nectar Source: Confirmed for native bees, including sweat bees (Halictidae), and butterflies such as the Western Checkered Skipper (Burnsius communis)
Bird Resources: Nesting habitat; Shelter; Insects
Bird Species: Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus); Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus); Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens)

Plant Care

Native region:

Local Native; Mojave Desert

Water needs:

Low

Exposure:

Full Sun

Mature size:

1'x15'

Growth rate:

Slow

Flower color:

Cream

Flower season:

Spring

Pruning:

None needed. The dried flower stalk can be removed in the fall or allowed to remain. Dried leaves can be pruned off or allowed to hang down along the trunk.

Cold Hardiness:

10 Degrees - Plant maturity and location can affect hardiness. Plants grown in more extreme cold have been known to be hardy to -11 degrees

Nectar-producing:

Yes

Attracts pollinators:

Yes

Nighttime pollinators:

Yes

Butterflies or Moths:

Yes

Monarchs:

Larval host:

Yes

Bees:

Yes

Bats:

Yes

Birds:

Yes

Nest site:

Yes

Nest materials:

Rabbit-resistant:

Yes

Tortoises:

Growing Plants in the Desert — Important Information

The information presented here is, to the best of my knowledge, accurate and based on reliable research, personal experience in my own garden, observations from other gardens I’ve visited, and time spent studying plants in their native habitats. I always welcome your feedback and experiences to help me continue educating others!

Cacti:
In my experience, cacti are much happier in filtered shade here in the low desert of the Coachella Valley. Their colors are more vibrant and they tend to bloom more profusely, especially the non-native varieties. If you look closely at how our native barrel cactus and beavertail prickly pear grow in the wild, you’ll often find them tucked among rocks or beneath the shelter of creosote and other shrubs.

⚠️ A note of caution: Cacti and succulents are often illegally collected from the wild, which not only damages plant populations but also disturbs entire ecosystems. In some cases, wild populations of cacti have even gone extinct because of this practice. When purchasing these plants, always be sure they’ve been legally obtained. Look for nursery-grown stock or plants with a native plant certification, and keep that documentation for your records.

Light Requirements:
In our desert (Sonoran/Colorado), “full sun” doesn’t always mean what you might think. Many so-called full-sun plants benefit from and actually appreciate some late-afternoon filtered light—especially during the intense summer months.