Golden Sword Yucca | Yellow Striped Evergreen Succulent

Golden Sword Needle Palm

5 Gallon

$59.00

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Golden Sword Needle Palm

Yucca flaccida 'Golden Sword'

A tough, drought-tolerant yucca with striking gold-striped, blue-green foliage and fragrant summer flowers.

$59.00

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Bay Area–Based Nursery

We specialize in plants grown and delivered in their original pots and soil.
Because of their size and weight, our plants are not suitable for long-distance shipping and are delivered locally to ensure health and quality.

While delivery is limited to our local service area, we’re happy to support garden design and plant selection remotely.

For local plant professionals, we’re always glad to connect and explore ways to support your customers.

The Golden Sword Yucca is a striking, low-growing evergreen succulent prized for its dramatic, variegated foliage and exceptional toughness. A selected form of the weak-leaf yucca, this plant forms spreading colonies of sword-shaped rosettes that add bold, architectural texture to the landscape. Its primary feature is the beautiful, flexible, blue-green leaves, each dramatically striped down the center with a broad band of bright creamy-yellow to gold . In late spring to early summer, mature plants send up tall, impressive spikes (to 4-5 feet) bearing large clusters of nodding, fragrant, creamy-white bell-shaped flowers, which are highly attractive to pollinators . Extremely drought-tolerant, cold-hardy, and adaptable, it is an outstanding choice for xeriscape gardens, mass plantings, slopes, and containers.

Knowing how we measure the size?

When browsing our plants, you may notice size terms such as Gallon, Multi, or Stand. These describe how a plant is grown, containerized, or structured at the time of sale — not just its height. Understanding these terms will help you choose the right plant for your space and expectations.

🌱 Gallon Size (Container Size)

Gallon refers to the size of the nursery container the plant is currently growing in (e.g. 1 Gallon, 5 Gallon, 15 Gallon).

A larger gallon size generally means:
- A more established root system
- A sturdier plant
- Faster visual impact after planting
Example:
- 5 Gallon: Ideal for residential gardens, easy to handle, good balance of value and maturity
- 15 Gallon: More mature, provides quicker results in the landscape

Note: Gallon size does not guarantee a specific height, as growth varies by species.

🌳 Multi (Multi-Trunk / Multi-Branch Form)

Multi indicates the plant has multiple trunks or main stems growing from the base.

Commonly used for:
- Ornamental trees
- Feature plants
- Japanese maples, olives, crepe myrtles, etc.
Why choose Multi:
- Fuller, more sculptural appearance
- Strong visual presence even at younger ages
- Popular for design-focused landscapes

🌲 Stand (Single-Trunk / Standard Form)

Stand (short for Standard) refers to a single, dominant trunk with a raised or naturally formed canopy.

Commonly used for:
- Shade trees
- Street trees
- Orchard and structural plantings
Why choose Stand:
- Clean, classic tree form
- Easier clearance for walkways and lawns
- Preferred for long-term structure and uniformity

🌿 Choosing the Right Size

If you want instant impact → larger Gallon, Multi form
If you want long-term structure → Stand form
If you want flexibility and value → mid-size Gallon containers

If you’re unsure which size or form fits your project, our team is happy to help you select the best option based on your space, timeline, and design goals.

Foliage: Flexible, drooping, sword-shaped, blue-green leaves (to 2 ft long) with a broad, bright creamy-yellow to gold central stripe; leaf margins are slightly toothed with curling white threads (filaments); forms spreading clumps of rosettes .
Flowers & Fruit: Tall (4-5 ft) spikes of large, nodding, fragrant, creamy-white bell-shaped flowers in late spring to early summer; followed by brown, capsule-like fruits .
Mature Height: 3-4 ft (foliage); flower spikes to 5 ft
Mature Spread: 4-5 ft (colony-forming, can spread wider)
Growth Rate: Slow to moderate
Hardiness Zones: USDA 6-10 ; Sunset 1-9, 14-24
Light Requirement: Full sun (essential for best color and growth)
Core Benefits: Striking gold-variegated foliage, dramatic flower spikes, extremely drought tolerant, cold hardy, deer resistant, low maintenance.
Best Uses: Mass plantings, ground cover, slope stabilization, rock gardens, foundation plantings, xeriscape gardens, containers, coastal gardens.

Q: How is Golden Sword Yucca different from other variegated yuccas?
A: 'Golden Sword' (Yucca flaccida) is distinguished by its flexible, drooping leaves that form a softer, more fountain-like mound, compared to the rigid, upright leaves of many other yuccas. It also has distinctive curling white threads (filaments) along the leaf margins and is generally a lower-growing, colony-forming plant.

Q: How much sun does it need for the best variegation?
A: The bright gold central stripe is most intense when the plant is grown in full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily) . In partial shade, the variegation will fade, and the leaves will become a duller blue-green.

Q: How often should I water it?
A: Once established, it is highly drought-tolerant . Water regularly during its first year to establish a deep root system. After that, it requires little to no supplemental water, even in hot, dry climates. Overwatering can lead to root rot.

Q: Does it spread aggressively?
A: Yucca flaccida is a colony-forming plant that spreads slowly by underground rhizomes. It will gradually form a larger clump over time but is not considered aggressively invasive in a garden setting . Its spread can be easily controlled by digging up unwanted offsets.

Q: When does it bloom?
A: 'Golden Sword' typically blooms in late spring to early summer . Only mature plants (usually several years old) will flower. The tall flower spikes are a dramatic and beautiful feature, attracting hummingbirds and other pollinators.

Q: Is it deer resistant?
A: Yes, yuccas are generally resistant to deer browsing . The tough, fibrous, sharp-edged leaves are unpalatable to deer, making this an excellent choice for gardens where deer pressure is a concern.

Q: Can it be grown in a container?
A: Yes, it can be grown in a large container for a number of years. Its slow growth and dramatic form make it an excellent choice for a patio specimen. Use a large pot with excellent drainage and a well-draining cactus/succulent potting mix. Container plants will need more frequent watering than those in the ground.