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Native Plant Society of Texas

Buckley’s Yucca

Yucca constricta

Other common name(s):

Buckley Yucca

Family:

Asparagaceae (Asparagus Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Edwards Plateau, Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes, Southern Texas Plains
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland, Llano Uplift, Semiarid Edwards Plateau
Coastal Sand Plain, Lower Rio Grande Alluvial Floodplain, Lower Rio Grande Valley, Southern Subhumid Gulf Coastal Prairies
Northern Nueces Alluvial Plains, Rio Grande Floodplain and Terraces, Semiarid Edwards Bajada, Texas-Tamaulipan Thornscrub

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Cactus & Succulent

Height

3
to
5
ft.

Spread

3
to
5
ft.

Leaf Retention

Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Well Drained, Dry

Light Requirement

Sun

Water Requirement

Low

Native Habitat

Grassland, Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White, Green

Bloom Season

Spring, Summer

Seasonal Interest

Fruit, Nectar, Larval Host, Flowers

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Nectar Insects, Deer, Hummingbirds, Moths

Maintenance

Drought and cold-tolerant. Needs well drained soil, do not over water. Blooms best in full sun. Works well as an accent plant. Remove old bloom stalks at base. Does not transplant well, even when young. Propagation: seed.

Comments

Blooms April-July. Long, narrow, leaves are sharp and stiff and grow from a rosette. Greenish-white, bell-shaped flowers grow on tall flower stalk. The fruit a capsule up to 2 1/2 inches opening at the tip. Deer will eat flower stalks. Larval host: Yucca Giant Skipper. Although still listed by some in the Agavaceae Family, the majority of botanical organizations now list it in the Asparagaceae Family.

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed Scarification Soak the seeds in warm water for 24 hours to soften the seed coats, which enhances the germination process by breaking the dormancy period. Sow the seeds in a well-draining cactus or succulent soil mix, lightly covering them with a thin layer of soil. Use a container with drainage holes to prevent water logging. Place the container in a warm, well-lit area but out of direct sunlight. Maintain a consistent temperature, preferably between 15-21 degrees Celsius (60-70 degrees Fahrenheit). Water the seeds lightly and keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Monitor the soil moisture frequently, especially in warmer conditions, to ensure it does not dry out completely. It usually germinates within 1 - 12 months if kept at a temperature of 20°c. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse or cold frame for at least their first two winters. Collect seeds from mature fruit of buckley's yucca after they have fully ripened and dried on the plant. Ensure the seeds are clean and free from any pulp or residue. 1) https://www.picturethisai.com/care/propagate/Yucca_constricta.html 2) https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Yucca+constricta#:~:text=Plant%20Propagation,greenhouse%20until%20established%5B78%5D.
Root Cutting Root cuttings in late winter or early spring. Lift in April/May and remove small buds from base of stem and rhizomes. Dip in dry wood ashes to stop any bleeding and plant in a sandy soil in pots in a greenhouse until established https://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Yucca+constricta#:~:text=Plant%20Propagation,greenhouse%20until%20established%5B78%5D.

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason