Yucca elephantipes 'Triple Cane'

Bring instant structure to any space with the Triple Yucca Cane. Three strong canes, clean green foliage, and a designer silhouette—without fussy care. Place it in bright light, water sparingly, and enjoy a premium, modern statement plant that thrives in homes and high-traffic business interiors.

1. Basic Identification

Common Name: Triple Yucca Cane
Botanical Name: Yucca elephantipes
Former Name: Yucca gigantea
Plant Type: Foliage houseplant (Architectural)
Plant Code / SKU: PLT-0068
Alternative Names:
Spanish dagger
Giant yucca
Yucca guatemalensis
Yucca gigantea
يوغا

2. Taxonomy & Classification

Order: Asparagales
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Agavoideae
Genus: Yucca
Species: Yucca elephantipes

3. Origin & Distribution

Native to inland regions of Mexico and northern Central America (Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras).
Widely naturalized in subtropical and tropical regions worldwide, including southern United States (Texas, Florida), Caribbean, Mediterranean, Africa, and Asia.

4. Visual Characteristics

Growth form: upright, multi-stemmed cane with a crown of sword-like leaves.
Leaves: stiff, lanceolate, spineless, glossy green; up to 60–120 cm long and 5–10 cm wide; margins may have fibrous threads.
Stems: thick, woody, gray-brown barked canes that develop from trunk bases.
Flowers: clusters of pendulous, bell-shaped white flowers on tall panicles (may rarely bloom indoors).

5. Size & Dimensions

Typical indoor height: 1.5–3 m (5–10 ft); can reach 4–8 m in optimal outdoor/greenhouse conditions.
Stem diameter: 5–10 cm (2–4 in).
Spread: 0.5–1 m (1.5–3 ft) crown width.
Leaf length: 60–120 cm (24–48 in).

6. Light Requirements

Prefers bright light to full sun; tolerates several hours of direct sunlight daily.
Thrives in bright indirect light; avoid deep shade for healthy growth.

7. Watering Needs

Drought-tolerant; water sparingly.
Allow top 5–7 cm (2–3 in) of soil to dry out between waterings.
Reduce frequency in winter; avoid waterlogging to prevent root rot.

8. Soil & Potting

Well-draining, sandy or gritty soil mix; ideal: potting soil with added coarse sand, perlite, or grit.
pH: neutral to slightly alkaline (6.0–8.0).
Use pots with drainage holes; repot every 2–3 years or when root-bound.

9. Temperature & Humidity

Average home temperatures: 18–24 °C (65–75 °F).
Minimum: above 5 °C (40 °F); tolerates short dips to 0 °C (32 °F) if kept dry.
Humidity: adaptable to average indoor humidity; does not require high humidity.

10. Fertilization

Apply balanced, water-soluble fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) monthly during spring and summer.
Reduce or omit feeding in fall and winter dormant period.

11. Maintenance & Care Level

Low maintenance.
Remove dead leaves as they yellow at the base.
Minimal pruning required; trim back suckers if control of spread is desired.
Repot infrequently to prevent stress.

12. Growth & Propagation

Propagate by division of basal offsets (pups) or stem cuttings.
Allow cut surfaces to callous before planting in well-draining mix.
Rooting takes 4–8 weeks under warm conditions.

13. Common Problems

Overwatering: root rot, yellowing or wilting leaves.
Underwatering: brown leaf tips, leaf drop.
Pests: scale insects, mealybugs, spider mites.
Sunburn: leaf scorch if suddenly exposed to intense direct sun.
Fungal leaf spots in high humidity or poor air circulation.

14. Benefits & Uses

Architectural focal point in interiors and landscapes.
Improves indoor air quality by removing pollutants (e.g., benzene, formaldehyde).
Drought-tolerant landscaping, container gardening.
Traditional uses: fibers for rope, edible flowers and stems after processing.

15. Toxicity & Safety

Contains saponins; ingestion by pets or humans can cause vomiting, diarrhea.
Sap can cause skin irritation or dermatitis in sensitive individuals; wear gloves when handling if cutting or pruning.