General Information
•Status in Florida: Native
•Native Habitat: Dry, sandy soils, often in coastal dunes, upland prairies, and pine barrens
•Native States: Native to the southeastern United States, including Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and the Carolinas
•Growing Zones: USDA Zones 4b–9a
•Size at Maturity: 2–3 feet tall, with flower spikes reaching up to 5 feet
•Phenology: Evergreen
•Life Cycle: Perennial
•Growth Rate: Slow to moderate
•Growth Habit: Clumping, rosette-forming shrub with tall flower spikes
•Bloom Season: Late spring to summer
•Bloom Color: White to creamy white, bell-shaped flowers
Growth Conditions
•Sunlight Requirements: Full sun to part sun
•Soil Texture: Adaptable to sandy, loamy, and well-drained soils
•Soil pH: Slightly acidic to slightly alkaline
•Moisture Requirements: Dry to average; drought-tolerant once established
•Tolerance to Salt Spray: Some spray
•Keystone Plant: No
Landscape Considerations
•Recommended Landscape Uses: Specimen plant, xeriscaping, border plant, naturalized areas, coastal plantings
•Maintenance Tips: Minimal care required; remove spent flower stalks; may require occasional division for propagation
•Considerations: Spiny leaves can be sharp; ideal for creating textural interest in the garden
•Hurricane Wind Resistant: Yes
•Erosion Control: Yes, in sandy soils
•Nitrogen Fixing: No
Other Information
•Edible: Caution (the flower buds and roots have been used in traditional cooking, but should be consumed with care)
•Pet Safe: No (spiny leaves can cause injury; toxic if ingested)
•Deer and Rabbit Resistance: Yes
•Historical Medicinal Uses: The root was historically used by Native Americans for various medicinal purposes, including for its potential diuretic properties
•Florida Native Companion Plant: Blanket Flower (Gaillardia pulchella), Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), and other drought-tolerant perennials
•Wildlife Benefit: Attracts pollinators, particularly bees and hummingbirds
•Caterpillar Host Plant: Yes (for the yucca moth, which pollinates the flowers)
•Propagation: By seed, division, or offsets
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Special Notes on Adam’s Needle:
•Yucca filamentosa, or Adam’s Needle, is a hardy and drought-tolerant perennial that thrives in full sun and well-drained soils. Its striking sword-like leaves and tall flower spikes make it a standout in native gardens, particularly in xeriscape landscapes.
•The plant is known for its beautiful clusters of creamy white flowers that appear in late spring to early summer, offering nectar to pollinators.
•Adam’s Needle is an excellent choice for areas where low maintenance and drought resistance are key.
•This plant is also well-suited for coastal gardens, as it tolerates some salt spray.