perennial · design plant record
Hesperaloe parviflora
Red yucca
Arching evergreen leaves and taller flower stems give a dry planting a persistent accent. Bloom season varies with climate.
- Height at maturity
- 0.91–1.53 m (3–5 ft)
Flower stems can be taller; Arizona Extension reports exceptional stems to 2.74 m.
- Spread at maturity
- 1.22–1.83 m (4–6 ft)
- Light
- Sun / Part shade
- Moisture
- Drier soil after establishment
- Source-reported USDA zones
- 6–10 · verify subzone and cultivar
- Principal seasonal role
- Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
Fit it to the site
Excellent drainage is essential; suitable sand, loam or rocky/calcareous ground. Establish with appropriate water.
Reject damp, heavy soil and narrow route edges. The larger NC State width is used here; Arizona Extension describes a typical smaller clump.
Keep the care in the decision
Allow offsets room. Remove dead leaves individually and spent flower stems as needed; avoid shearing the whole plant.
Origin & safety checks
Texas and northeastern Mexico; adapted use in Arizona does not make it native throughout Arizona.
Toxicity is not assessed here. Reserve clearance from people and check the actual plant before purchase.
Check current invasive restrictions with your local plant-health or extension authority. For pets, use the exact botanical name in a veterinary toxicity reference; for potential ingestion or exposure, get appropriate professional advice rather than relying on a design guide.
Factual source · checked 8 October 2026
NC State: red yucca dimensions and conditions: Hesperaloe parviflora
Arizona Extension: red yucca, 7 February 2024
Ranges are rounded metric conversions of the source's dimensions. Growth varies with cultivar and conditions. Linked source photographs can help verify identity; our concept garden images cannot.
See this plant in a measured design
- Try a warm-desert planting with space for its adult forms — Regional warm-desert example · full sun · excellent drainage · check the brittlebush cold threshold · establishment water and separate access required.
These layouts show the plant’s allocated space and neighbours. Each plan still needs a local site check.