Banana Yucca

Banana yucca (Yucca baccata) forms a low rosette of stiff, sharply pointed leaves and sends up a tall stalk of white flowers. Its fleshy fruit resembles a banana and provides food for wildlife. ## Garden Placement Use this striking rosette in a sunny, dry-climate garden where its sharp leaves have room away from paths. The [Yavapai County plant profile](https://yavapaiplants.extension.arizona.edu/yucca-baccata) reports mature plants about 4–6 feet tall with a spread that can reach 10 feet. The [USDA Forest Service profile](https://www.fs.usda.gov/database/feis/plants/shrub/yucbac/all.html) describes wildlife use of the fruit, flowers, and stalks. ## Growing Conditions The Yavapai profile reports white flowers from April through July and identifies this yucca as evergreen. Choose a well-drained site and allow the rosette to expand without crowding. ## Maintenance Keep the spine-tipped leaves clear of regular foot traffic. Wear gloves when removing old leaves or spent flower stalks, and leave room for the large fruiting stalks to develop. ## Arizona — UA elevation and care conditions (2026 audit) The [University of Arizona guide](https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/pubs/az1289.pdf), revised December 2011, page 4, lists Yucca baccata (banana yucca) in its shrubs table. It prints water needs VL-L, sun/shade S and mature height 2-3 feet. Its elevation recommendations are 3,000 ft: Y; 4,000 ft: Y; 5,000 ft: Y; 6,000 ft: Y; 7,000 ft: Y; 8,000 ft: N; 9,000 ft: N. Table codes: VL=very low, L=low, M=moderate and H=high water; S=full sun, PS=partial sun, Sh=shade; in grass height entries B=bunchgrass and S=sod forming. Elevation codes Y=yes, N=not recommended and ?=unknown or doubtful. Elevations are Arizona source suitability bands, not USDA hardiness zones; listed heights and moisture needs are contextual rather than universal limits. Maintain suitable moisture, remove dead branches and litter, separate planting groups and keep plants nearest structures small and widely spaced. The guide cautions that all vegetation is potential fuel and no plant is fireproof. Check local growing conditions and current defensible-space requirements; preserve separate regional source ratings.