Description:
Three or more species of Hesperaloe
are found from southern Texas
into northern Mexico.
They are relatively small, trunkless plants with long, slender leaves about
three feet long. Red yucca is a popular garden plant in the southwestern United States.
The small, reddish flowers are held on four to six foot tall spikes through the
summer. Unlike their close relatives, the yuccas, hesperaloes are pollinated by
hummingbirds and possibly bats. Investigations of commercial production and use
of hesperaloe leaf fibers is underway.
Care Instructions:
Light: full sun to part shade
Water: very drought tolerant once established, does not survive in wet sites
Soil: well-drained, low fertility, wide pH tolerance, no special requirements
Red yucca requires a well-drained, sunny site. It is fairly new to northeast Florida landscapes.
