The Adams needle plant, also known as the curlyleaf yucca or Spanish bayonet, is a striking and versatile addition to any landscape. With its unique bladed foliage and towering flower stalks, this easy-care succulent packs visual interest. But exactly how tall do these architectural beauties get when fully grown? Read on to learn all about the mature height of Adams needle plants.
An Overview of Adams Needle Plants
The Adams needle plant (Yucca filamentosa) is a rhizomatous succulent native to the southeastern United States This hardy, drought-tolerant plant thrives in full sun and requires very little maintenance The foliage consists of long, narrow green leaves with curly white threads along the edges. Mature plants produce a tall central flower stalk covered in bell-shaped creamy white blooms during summer.
Some key facts about Adams needle plants:
- Also known as curlyleaf yucca, Spanish bayonet, spoonleaf yucca
- Belongs to the Asparagaceae family
- Native habitat is prairies, beaches, and sandy soil
- Stiff, dagger-like leaves act as natural deterrents to animals
- Requires well-draining soil and infrequent watering
- Ideal for xeriscaping and rock gardens
What is the Mature Height of Adams Needle Plants?
So exactly how tall do Adams needle plants grow when fully mature? On average these hardy succulents reach heights between 2 and 3 feet (0.6 – 0.9 m) at maturity. However some varieties and individual plants may get taller under ideal conditions.
Here’s an overview of their potential mature heights:
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2 – 2.5 feet (0.6 – 0.75 m) – This is the typical range for most Adams needle plants at maturity. Given their native habitat of prairies and sandy coastal areas, they tend to stay relatively short.
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Up to 3 feet (0.9 m) – Some larger varieties like Yucca filamentosa ‘Color Guard’ can achieve heights of 3 feet. With the right soil, sunlight and age, even standard Adams needle can hit this higher range.
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Over 3 feet (> 0.9 m) – Under perfect conditions, it’s possible but less common for some Adams needle plants to surpass 3 feet in height. This may occur in specimens grown in-ground over many years. Container plants tend to max out at the typical 2-3 foot range.
So while they are not skyscraping succulents, the 2 to 3 foot expected mature height of Adams needle allows the architectural shape of the yucca to stand out beautifully.
Growth Habits of Adams Needle Plants
What determines the ultimate height of your Adams needle plant? Let’s look at some key factors that affect their growth patterns:
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Age – Like most plants, maturation is key. An older, well-established Adams needle will achieve greater height than a younger one. Potted plants may take 3+ years to reach maximum size.
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Variety – Some cultivars like ‘Color Guard’ have genetic predispositions to grow slightly taller than the straight species. Selective breeding focuses on certain traits.
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Soil – Adams needle plants need well-draining yet nutrient-rich soil to thrive. Poor soils can limit growth while ideal sandy, loamy soils encourage bigger plants.
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Sunlight – Getting full sun is vital for Adams needle. Insufficient light leads to smaller, weaker growth.
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Pruning – Cutting back flower stalks or damaged leaves encourages thicker, bushier growth rather than height.
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Container vs. In-ground – Plants grown directly in garden beds often grow larger than container-bound ones.
Caring for Adams Needle Plants
To maximize the potential height of your Adams needle plant, provide the following care:
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Plant in gritty, sandy soil with excellent drainage. Avoid heavy, dense soils.
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Choose a spot with at least 6 hours of direct sun daily. Morning light is ideal.
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Water young plants regularly until established. Then water only when the soil dries out.
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Fertilize in the spring with a balanced 10-10-10 formula to encourage new growth.
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Remove spent flower stalks and prune damaged leaves as needed.
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Transplant mature plants every 2-3 years before they become rootbound.
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Protect container plants from harsh winter weather. In-ground plants are very cold hardy.
Landscaping with Adams Needle Plants
A mature height of 2 to 3 feet makes Adams needle yucca excellent choices for both gardens and containers:
In the Garden
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Use as striking focal points or in clusters for visual impact.
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Compliment the spiky texture with soft, round plants like ornamental grasses.
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Mass along fences, borders or property lines as living barriers.
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Plant among rocks and boulders in xeriscape gardens.
In Containers
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Provide vertical interest in mixed succulent containers.
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Flank entryways in tall matching pots.
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Line driveways or mark corners in eye-catching individual pots.
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Add height and contrast to low-growing succulents like sedums.
No matter where you place them, a mature Adams needle plant will bring unique desert flair with its beautifully bladed leaves and proud heights of 2-3 feet. Give them plenty of sun, excellent drainage and occasional fertilizer to encourage these architectural succulents to reach their full stature.
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More Items to Consider
- sunshade Sun, Part Sun/Shade
Mature Plant Size (H x W): 3-4 x 3-4 
Bloom Season: Summer
Key features
- Attracts Bees
- Deer Resistant
- Drought Tolerant
- Salt Tolerant
- Attracts Pollinators
Planting Care chevron-up chevron-down
Planting and Care for Adam’s Needle Yucca
- This flowering yucca is one of the best for low-maintenance, drought-resistant landscaping.
- Flowers in summer with grand spires of fragrant snow-white bells.
- Fast-growing shrub – grows approximately 3-5’ tall in bloom x 4’ wide.
- An excellent plant for a rock garden or foundation planting.
- Needs a dry, sunny location.
- Remove old leaves or winter-burned leaves in early spring and allow new leaves to develop from the center of the plant.
- Containers: Completely saturate all container plants by putting them in a larger water container until bubbling stops. Remove the plant, then dig a hole no deeper than the depth of the container, ensuring it’s wider on the sides by an additional 6” or more.
- Yuccas can be planted in early spring.
- Dig a hole no deeper than the depth of the container and 6″ or wider on the sides.
- Slide the plant from the pot by tapping on the bottom of the pot.
- With a shovel or knife, trim the bottom 2″ off the root ball for plants in plastic containers.
- Rotate the plant to the proper position. Never lift or move plants by the tops. Place the root ball in the hole.
- Adjust the plant height so the root crown is slightly higher than the ground. Notice where the base of the trunk flares out from the tree. This is called the root flare. This root flare should show when the tree is planted. Add soil under the ball so the root flare is exposed if necessary.
- Place fertilizer packets into the bottom of the hole (if purchased). *Use Our Recommended Fertilizer.
- Backfill the hole with soil, ensuring the top of the root ball is visible and slightly higher than the soil around it.
- Firm the soil around the plant. Water well to settle soil around the root ball. Water frequently when newly planted.
- See our link below, “Planting & Handling Help,” for a downloadable planting guide with illustrations.
- Containers: Although it’s not essential after planting, light pruning can help shape an Adam’s Needle yucca. Doing so removes any broken branches from shipping or thins out a heavily branched plant to assist in the transplanting process and the appearance of your new planting.
- Tackle pruning in early spring, shortly before the growing season.
- Pruning yucca trees placed outdoors isn’t necessary, though it makes for an easy way to keep it from completely overpowering the yard.
- An indoor yucca plant can benefit more from thinning out the leaves to encourage healthy growth.
- Determine the halfway mark on your yucca and use a saw or similar cutting device. Lop off the top leafy section of the trunk.
- If you don’t want to make it quite as short as the halfway point, you can cut higher.
- Plants typically take approximately 6 weeks to establish new roots in your soil. During this period, water plants as often as every 2-4 days at the start and at least a minimum of once per week.
- Beyond the six-week establishment period, water once per week unless rain occurs.
- Remember to check soil moisture by sticking your finger into the soil around 3”.
- After the first season, plants should only be watered during extended periods without rain.
- How do you know if your plants need water? The easiest way to tell is to touch the soil around the roots. If it is moist, there is no need to water. If it’s dry, give it a good soak with the hose end (no nozzle), watering the soil only, not the leaves.
- Same as after planting, stick your finger into the soil around 3” to check soil moisture.
Plant Selection – Adams Needle Yucca
FAQ
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