Adam's Needle
Yucca filamentosa
Zones 2–13
Growing
Establishing Adam's Needle begins with finding a spot that mimics its natural habitat, such as rocky or sandy terrain, bluffs, or thin woods. This hardy perennial thrives in well-draining soil and can handle a variety of light conditions, from full sun to partial shade. Because it spreads via rhizomes and runners, it is an excellent choice for creating a dense, low-maintenance ground cover that helps suppress weeds in open areas. When planting, ensure the soil is not waterlogged, as this plant is adapted to hot, dry regions.
Once your plants are established, you can enjoy their striking blooms, which serve as wonderful additions to dried flower arrangements or fresh cut flower bouquets. If you are growing them in containers, keep in mind that they are quite drought-tolerant and require very little water. For those looking to expand their garden, you can propagate the plant using seeds or by taking divisions. While it is a beautiful, pollinator-friendly specimen, always keep in mind that the plant is toxic to both people and pets.
| Sun | full sun |
|---|---|
| Water | low |
| Grow time | — |
| Height | >6ft |
| Spacing | >24in |
| Full sun | ✓ |
|---|---|
| Part shade | ✓ |
| Shade | ✓ |
| Life cycle | perennial |
|---|---|
| Category | flowering shrub |
| Growth habit | rosette |
| Season | warm |
| Frost tolerance | hardy |
| Height | over 6ft |
| Spacing | over 24in |
| Days to bloom | over 150 |
| Native us | ✓ |
| Water | low |
|---|---|
| Drainage | well drained |
| Soil ph min | 5.5 |
| Soil ph max | 7.5 |
| Propagation | |
| Seed | ✓ |
| Cutting | ✗ |
| Division | ✓ |
| Graft | ✗ |
| Tuber bulb crown | ✗ |
| Transplant | ✓ |
| Container ok | ✓ |
| Spread | runners |
| Deer resistant | ✓ |
| Drought tolerant | ✓ |
| Pollinator friendly | ✓ |
| Toxic to | |
| People | ✓ |
| Pets | ✓ |
| Livestock | ✗ |
| Length | 2–6wk |
|---|---|
| Colors | |
| White | ✓ |
| Yellow | ✗ |
| Orange | ✗ |
| Red | ✗ |
| Pink | ✗ |
| Purple | ✗ |
| Blue | ✗ |
| Green | ✗ |
| Fragrant | ✗ |
| Reblooms | ✗ |
| Deadhead | ✗ |
| Cut flower | ✓ |
| Dried flower | ✓ |
| Status | none |
|---|---|
| Regions | |
| Northeast | ✗ |
| Southeast | ✗ |
| Midwest | ✗ |
| Plains | ✗ |
| Southwest | ✗ |
| Mountain west | ✗ |
| Pacific northwest | ✗ |
| California | ✗ |
| Hawaii | ✗ |
| State noxious | ✗ |
| Escapes cultivation | ✗ |
| Visitors | |
|---|---|
| Honey bees | ✓ |
| Native bees | ✓ |
| Bumblebees | ✓ |
| Butterflies | ✓ |
| Moths | ✓ |
| Hummingbirds | ✗ |
| Beneficial insects | ✓ |
| Nectar | medium |
| Pollen | high |
| Larval host | ✓ |
| Specialist bees | ✓ |
| Seed for birds | ✓ |
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Harvest | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
References: Wikipedia · USDA plant guide · how this data is made