Yucca rostrata Engelm. ex Trel. 

🌱 Morphology     Tree-like perennial plant with slow growth, developing a generally single trunk that may branch with age, measuring about 2.5–3.6 m tall and 18–32 cm in diameter. At the top, it forms a nearly spherical and highly symmetrical crown composed of more than 100 linear leaves, 25–60 cm long and 1.2–1.7 cm wide. They are rigid at the base and somewhat flexible toward the tip, with a glaucous blue-gray color, finely serrated yellowish margins, and a pointed apex. Dead leaves may remain around the trunk, forming a fibrous covering.

🌍 Distribution, habitat, and family.  It is native to the Chihuahuan Desert in southwestern Texas and northern Mexico, mainly Chihuahua and Coahuila. It grows on rocky mountain slopes, ridges, and canyon bottoms, in arid and very sunny environments at elevations of around 600–900 m.

Order Asparagales · Family Asparagaceae · Subfamily Agavoideae.

❄️ Temperature · USDA Zone 5a Tolerates minimum temperatures of approximately −20 °C once established, provided the substrate has excellent drainage and the roots remain dry during cold spells. The combination of persistent moisture and low temperatures can cause rot.

☀️ Lighting    Requires full sun all year round to develop a compact crown and retain the bluish hue of its leaves. In cultivation, very bright exposure is recommended, with an approximate PAR DLI of 20–30 mol·m⁻²·day⁻¹. It tolerates light shade, although this may result in longer leaves and a less compact structure.

💧 Growth cycle and watering

Winter dormancy.  Growth mainly occurs in spring and summer. During the active months, water abundantly and allow the substrate to dry out completely before watering again. Once established, it is highly drought-tolerant and requires very infrequent watering. In winter, watering should be considerably reduced, especially if grown outdoors and receiving rainfall.

🌸 Flowering    It produces a branched terminal inflorescence, which rises above the crown and can reach around 1 m in length. It produces numerous white, globose or bell-shaped pendant flowers during spring. The fruit is an erect, ovoid or ellipsoidal capsule with a characteristically pointed tip. The rosette does not die after flowering, so it can continue to grow and flower again in subsequent years.

🌿 Nutrition    During the active growth period, Desert CHOICE® Succulents is recommended, providing a balanced supply of potassium and bioavailable calcium. Potassium helps regulate water and improves stress tolerance, while calcium contributes to the firmness and consistency of the tissues.

🪴 Pot 

Various sizes depending on the specimen.

This is an inimitable xerophyte grown in Madrid in a technological square pot with substrate activated with mycorrhizal fungi and biofungicides.