Yucca gigantea 'Jewel'

Where 'Jewel' comes from

Yucca gigantea is native from central Mexico through Central America. The older name Yucca elephantipes remains common on plant labels.

'Jewel' is a cultivated form known for yellow stripes running along its green leaves.

Caring for 'Jewel'

• Light: A very bright position keeps the yellow striping clear. After gradual adjustment, gentle direct sun is suitable.
• Watering: Wait until most of the mix feels dry and the pot is lighter. Then wet the whole root ball and let the excess drain.
• Temperature: Keep 'Jewel' frost-free. Regular room warmth works well, and a sheltered patio is suitable during warm weather.
• Potting mix: Choose a peat-free mix with grit, pumice or coarse perlite for fast drainage.
• Humidity & airflow: Normal room humidity is fine. Light air movement is useful between the leafy crowns of multi-stem plants.
• Feeding: About once a month while fresh leaves are opening, use a balanced liquid fertiliser at the label rate.
• Repotting: If roots have filled the pot or the stems become unstable, move the plant into a sturdy pot only slightly larger.
• Propagation: Make new 'Jewel' plants from rooted shoots at the base or from stem sections.

When 'Jewel' has a problem

• The yellow striping becomes faint on new leaves: The plant needs brighter light. Increase brightness gradually so the foliage can adjust.
• Lower leaves turn yellow while the mix stays damp: The roots are staying too wet. Give the pot more time to dry, clear blocked drainage holes and remove soft rotten roots with disinfected tools.
• Pale crisp patches appear on exposed foliage: The move into direct sun was too sudden. Return the plant to bright filtered light and build up any direct sun gradually.
• Sticky leaves, cottony clusters or brown shell-like insects appear: Inspect the tight leaf bases for aphids, mealybugs and scale insects. Clear what you can see, then treat the identified pest with an appropriate labelled product. Repeat the treatment at the interval on the label.
• Brown round or irregular spots spread: Leaf spot may be developing. Remove the worst marked leaves. Direct water into the potting mix and keep air moving around the crown.

If you need help identifying a problem, send us clear photos of the whole plant and the affected area. Include the soil or potting mix around the roots.

Yucca gigantea ‘Jewel’ is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• It contains saponins that can irritate the mouth and digestive tract.
• Chewing may cause drooling, vomiting, stomach pain, reduced appetite or weakness. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional if symptoms develop.

The meaning and history of Yucca gigantea

Yucca comes from a historical misapplication of the Taíno word yuca, meaning cassava. The Latin epithet gigantea means gigantic and refers to the species' eventual tree-like size.

Carl Linnaeus established the genus Yucca in 1753 in Species Plantarum, page 319.

Charles Lemaire first described Yucca gigantea in 1859 in L’Illustration Horticole, volume 6, issue Misc., page 91.