Yucca baccata, or banana yucca, grows in spiky clusters with lance-like leaves. Large white flower stalks emerge in summer. This low-maintenance plant, native to the West and Southwestern U.S., adds great texture to the landscape. Its flowers ripen to produce edible fruit often enjoyed by local birds. The plant gets its common name from its fruit, which resembles bananas. The nocturnal desert yucca moth pollinates flowers.
Due to their intense heat tolerance, banana yuccas are an excellent choice for areas with reflected heat, such as city medians and desert-style commercial landscapes. They can also tolerate some shade and are highly drought-tolerant once established. These plants will adapt to just about any well-draining soil type. Minimal care is necessary for this tough plant, which is rarely bothered by pests and is generally resistant to foraging deer and rabbits. Like cactus and succulents, banana yuccas require low fertilizer, and overfeeding can cause damage. Blend this cold- and heat-hardy succulent into perennial gardens, use it in mass plantings, or feature it as a container plant.
