Yucca rigida is in general a single trunked species, but occasionally it forms multiple trunks growing up to 4-5m height. The beautiful light blue stiff leaves are 30-70 cm long and are 1,2 to 2 cm wide, but in cultivation they can reach 120 cm in length, ending in a stiff dark brown spine. The leaves are also lined with a yellow margin and very tiny teeth. The inflorescence is a panicle of 60 cm and hidden partially by the leaves, the flowers are like most species creamy white and 4-6 cm long. Y.rigida is only found in northern Mexico were it grows on rocky hill sides. On the edges of their natural habitat, Y.rigida and Y.rostrata grow together and natural hybrids occur in those area's. These are also very attractive and more frost resistant than the pure Y.rigida form. We do grow those hybrids also from seeds since 1996 on the farm in Texas, (see description Y.rostrata x rigida). Y.rigida is an attractive plant but not as cold hardy as Y.rostrata and withstands temperatures down to -12°C and when covered down to -15°C for short periods.

Like all yucca's they like sun and a well drained soil, in wet climates it is better to remove the panicle after a few weeks, as the flowers fall down in the crown and start rotting. The yucca is most vulnerable after flowering as the stalk leaves a hole through which rain water enters the hart which could lead to rot. When the old flower stalk has rotted away, it is better to seal the hole with cement; the new growing spears will push it aside.

In our webshop we have this yucca for sale.

Authors drs C.N. Klijn and R.H. Smeets from Tropical Centre have studied yuccas in the wild and also then thousands of import yucca plants from everywhere in Mexico and the USA. Learn more about yuccas and our yucca background through the website buttons about us, photo-albums and newsletters. If you mention us, as the source you may use our descriptions and pictures.