Yuccas are some of the most easygoing, tough-as-nails plants you can grow. They absolutely thrive when things heat up, but I often get asked: “What happens when the temperature drops? Can I actually leave my Yucca out in the garden all winter?”
A Quick Look at Yucca Varieties
It’s no secret that Yuccas love bright light and warmth—they can handle a heatwave like a pro. However, when it comes to the cold, not all Yuccas are created equal. Some varieties will shiver at the first sign of frost, while others are surprisingly hardy and can stay planted in your yard year-round, even in chilly climates.
Guide to Popular Yucca Species
Yucca aloifolia (Aloe Yucca)
- Only semi-hardy down to about 10°F
- Best kept in a container
- Needs winter protection to survive the cold
Yucca baccata (Banana Yucca)
- Cold-hardy down to -13°F
- Great for planting directly in the garden
- If kept in a pot, it’ll need some extra winter protection
Yucca brevifolia (Joshua Tree)
- Semi-hardy down to -2°F
- Best grown in a container
- Definitely needs protection during the winter months
Yucca elephantipes (Spineless Yucca)
- Strictly a container plant
- Loves being outside in the summer
- Bring it indoors if it’s a particularly rainy summer
- Cannot handle frost at all
Yucca filamentosa (Adam’s Needle)
- Super hardy down to -18°F
- Perfect for year-round garden planting
- Needs a little help (winter protection) if grown in a pot
Yucca flaccida (Weak-Leaf Yucca)
- Hardy down to -13°F
- Can be planted directly in the ground
- Requires winter protection if kept in a container
Yucca glauca (Soapweed Yucca)
- Extremely hardy down to -31°F
- A great candidate for the garden
- Needs winter protection when grown in pots
Yucca gloriosa (Moundlily Yucca)
- Hardy down to -13°F
- Can stay in the garden year-round
- Give it some winter protection if it’s in a container
Yucca recurvifolia (Curve-Leaf Yucca)
- Hardy down to -13°F
- Works well planted in the ground
- Needs winter protection for container growth
Yucca rostrata (Beaked Yucca)
- Hardy down to -4°F
- Usually does better as a container plant (with winter protection)
Yucca schidigera (Mojave Yucca)
- Only semi-hardy down to 14°F
- Best treated as a container plant
- Winter protection is a must
Yucca thompsoniana (Thompson’s Yucca)
- Hardy down to -4°F
- Can be planted in the garden, but only in a sheltered spot
- Winter protection is highly recommended
