Yucca plants, a member of the Asparagaceae family, are easily identified by their sword-shaped leaves. They have over 50 different species taking on different shapes and foliage colours. Some of the yucca species are further divided into other cultivars that have thick cane stems holding up their leaves while others look more like shrubs with their leaves growing in a rosette form.
Yucca gloriosa Bright Star – Variegated Adams Needle
The species come in different colours, as well. Some have foliage colours ranging from green to blueish-green, while others feature variegated yellow, white, or light green leaves.
Some of the most popular variegated cultivars that are grown for ornamental purposes are discussed below.
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Types of yucca plants that can be variegated
The variegated Yucca Aloifolia
Yucca aloifolia commonly called aloe yucca, the Spanish bayonet, Spanish dagger, or Dagger plant is a multi-stemmed, evergreen shrub that has long sword-shaped, green leaves that end in spiky, sharp tips.
This variegated yucca plant is one of the most ornamental species of yucca and is native to North America. It forms a crown of densely growing spiky leaves that are stiff, and have a sharp, pointed tip, and sharp serrations along the edges.
This palm-like yucca plant produces tall spikes of purple-tinged white fragrant flowers on 2 feet long flowering stems and the whole plant grows to a height of 5 to 10 feet with a spread of 3 feet. The flowers are edible just like the fruits that are also produced by the plant.
It grows well indoors as a tropical plant and can be planted in pots, gardens and coastal areas. Watch out for spots on the leaves of your plant as it can make it look quite unsightly even though it doesn’t damage it.
The variegated Yucca Filamentosa – Adam’s Needle ‘Colour Guard’
Variegated Yucca filamentosa
Yucca filamentosa is also known as Adam’s needle ‘Colour Guard’ and needle palm. It is easily identified by its variegated yellow and green leaves that grow in a rosette form rather than the usual woody stalks of a yucca plant. It features distinctive curly-leaf threads that turn yellow pink or rose pink in winter.
The plant grows to about 3 feet in both height and diameter and grows long flower stems that extends up to 8 feet tall and blooms beautiful, creamy/white, bell-shaped flowers that blossoms in spring and summer.
The flowers and fruits that the plant produces are very much edible for humans but may be toxic to cats and dogs. It can be used in courtyards, city gardens, coastal gardens, woodlands, and forests. Other variegated cultivars of yucca Filamentosa exist as well.
The variegated Yucca Gloriosa ‘Bright Star’
Yucca gloriosa ‘Bright start’ is a variegated cultivar of Yucca gloriosa. It is an attractive and brightly coloured ornamental shrub with green leaves that have yellow margins. Its stiff and sharp leaves grow in a rosette pattern and can be as long as 2 – 4 feet.
It is a tough, yellowish shrub that tolerates full exposure to the sun and loves sandy, well-draining soil. In low temperatures below -17 degrees, the leaves develop a light pinkish-red hue.
Further reading on Yuccas
- Common issues when growing Yucca plants
- How to care for Yucca plants in the UK
- How to repot a yucca plant
- How to prune a yucca plant
- What’s the difference between yucca can and a yucca plant?
- What’s a good choice for a variegated yucca plant?
