Chaparral Yucca

(Hesperoyucca whipplei)

Chaparral Yucca (Hesperoyucca whipplei)

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Estimated Native Range
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Summary

Hesperoyucca whipplei, commonly known as Chaparral Yucca or Our Lord’s Candle, is an evergreen perennial herb, subshrub, or shrub native to chaparral, coastal sage scrub, and oak woodlands in California and Baja California, Mexico. This plant typically grows to a height of 3-9 feet and a width of 5-6 feet. It features a rosette of long, rigid, blue-green leaves with sharp terminal spines. The impressive inflorescence, which can grow up to 3 meters tall, bears hundreds of bell-shaped white to purplish flowers on a densely branched panicle. Flowering occurs from late spring to early summer, and the flowers are highly attractive to a variety of pollinators. After flowering, the plant often dies, but it leaves behind a legacy of clones from basal offshoots.

Chaparral Yucca is valued for its striking architectural form, drought tolerance, and low maintenance requirements, making it an excellent choice for xeriscaping and native plant gardens in Southern California. It is also used for erosion control on slopes. The plant’s ability to regenerate after wildfires is a testament to its resilience. In cultivation, it requires full sun exposure and can tolerate a range of soil types, including clay, as long as they have good drainage. While it is extremely drought-tolerant, occasional deep watering can promote healthier growth. It is important to note that while Hesperoyucca whipplei is easy to grow within its native range, it may be challenging to cultivate in other regions due to its specific climate preferences.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Succulent
  • Height: 3-9 feet
  • Width: 5-6 feet
  • Growth Rate: Slow
  • Flower Color: Cream, White
  • Flowering Season: Spring, Summer
  • Leaf Retention: Evergreen

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Full Sun
  • Water: Very Low, Low
  • Drainage: Fast

Common Uses

Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Fire Resistant, Fragrant, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Rock Garden, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers

Natural Habitat

Native to chaparral, coastal sage scrub, and oak woodlands in California and Baja California, Mexico

Other Names

Common Names: Our Lord’s Candle , Spanish Bayonet , Quixote Yucca , Foothill Yucca

Scientific Names: Yucca whipplei , Hesperoyucca whipplei , Yucca peninsularis , Yucca whipplei var. whipplei , Hesperoyucca peninsularis , Yucca whipplei subsp. eremica , Yucca whipplei var. caespitosa , Yucca whipplei var. percursa , Yucca whipplei var. parishii , Yucca whipplei subsp. parishii

GBIF Accepted Name: Hesperoyucca whipplei (Torr.) Trel.