With its distinctive , spiky leaves and architectural shape , yucca is a very alone look plant life . However , there are in reality several other plant that resemble the iconic yucca .
These yucca lookalikes often get confused with true yucca species due to similarities in leafage and growth riding habit . But upon close inspection , of import conflict egress .
Here are 11 plants that are unremarkably mistaken for yucca :
1. Cordyline
Cordyline is often called cabbage palm or cabbage tree due to its palm - like appearance . With long , brand - form leaves emerge from a central stalk , some varieties strongly resemble yucca . However , genus Cordyline leaves typically come out in a whorled formula compare to yucca ’s rosette physical body .
2. Beaucarnea
Also known as ponytail palm , beaucarnea has a thick , swollen bag from which long , narrow-minded leaves bug out upward The leaves are more pliant than yucca . The plant also lacks sharp leafage tips .
3. Dracaena
Dracaena marginata have blotto , spiky foliage that radiates upwards from a central stalk . It is sometimes called dragon tree . The leaves are in the main less fibrous than yucca and the margins are smooth versus serrated .
4. Beschorneria
This Mexican succulent has rosettes of dark-green to grey - drab foliage with briery edge The foliation is soft and more fictile than on-key yucca Flower stalks have crimson or pink tubular flowers ,
5. Furcraea
Furcraea looks virtually selfsame to some yuccas with narrow blue - gullible leaves radiating from a central theme . It can be distinguished from yucca by its politic more rounded foliage tips that miss a terminal spine .
6. Agave
Many agaves nearly resemble yuccas in terms of rosette growth habit and spiny blue foliage . However , agave leaves have a more succulent grain and often have spines along the margins as well as the tips .
7. Hesperaloe
This plant has long , slender leave similar to yucca but with fine serrated edges and fibers along the margin . The foliage is broadly more hoar - honey oil versus blue - greenness . The prime stem has cannular pinkish - red blooms .
8. Hesperoyucca
aboriginal to Texas , hesperoyucca looks intimately indistinguishable to yucca with its stiff , narrow foliage and penetrative tipped leaves radiating from a central fundament . Subtle difference in technological features are required to tell apart the two .
9. Dasylirion
Known as desert spoon , dasylirion has light bluish - fleeceable leaves that are longer , thinner , and more numerous than yucca . The margins curve in at adulthood compare to yucca ’s flat leaves .
10. Nolina
There are around 25 specie of nolina that resemble yucca due to their rosette shape and farseeing , pointed leaf . But nolina leaves are generally more conciliatory and miss the characteristic curling fibers along the edge .
11. Cordyline
With its individual proboscis and foresighted , strappy leave of absence , cordyline fruticosa is sometimes likened to yucca in general shape and form . But its leaves come forth in a coil versus from a primal rosette . The margins are also smooth rather than toothed .
While they share similarity , each of these plant has typical features that set it apart from yucca once examined more closely . Subtleties in leaf surface , margins , pourboire , and arrangement are the key identifiers .
sure species in particular genera like dasylirion , hesperoyucca , and nolina require an expert optic to differentiate from unfeigned yuccas . But landscape lovers who know what to look for can learn to recognize the nuances that separate yucca from its many lookalike plants .
How to Tell a Yucca from a Dracaena
What are some other deviation between yucca and dracaena ? Yucca is usually raise alfresco , while dracaena is usually kept at bottom . However , both can be grown either inside or out , depending on the region and type grown . Dracaena prosper in family temperature and will even do well outside furnish temperature are around 70 F. Once temporary drop below 50 F. ( 10 C. ) however , the plant suffers cold damage . Yucca , on the other paw , grows by nature in the heat and ironic part of the Americas and the Caribbean . Because of this , you might think it likes lovesome atmospheric condition , and for the most part , it does . But it can survive in temperatures as low as 10 F. ( -12 C. ) and can be planted in many climates . Yucca is a small tree diagram or shrub with sword - mold , sharp leaves that can grow to be one to three substructure ( 30 to 90 centimeter ) tall . ) in length . The foliage on the low portion of the plant life is commonly made up of drained , brown leaves . Although dracaena also has long point leaves , they lean to be more rigid than those of yucca . They are also darker green and , depending upon the cultivar , may even be multi - hue . Also , dracaena plants often have more than one trunk , though this can vary by cultivar , and they look more like real tree diagram than yucca plant . There is , in fact , another similarity besides the pointed leaves between yucca and dracaena . Both plants can get pretty magniloquent , but dracaena is usually kept at a more doable height by pruning and choosing the right cultivar . Also , dracaena plants lose their leaves when they croak , leaving a diamond - shape scar on the stem of the plant . Yoca leaves that have died be given to stay attached to the flora ’s trunk , and newfangled leave acquire on top of them .
Yucca Plant Care Tips How To Care For Yucca elephantipes
FAQ
Do I have a yucca or dracaena ?
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