Yucca guatemalensis is a Yucca species that is native to eastern part of Mexico and Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua.

It lacks spines at end of the leaves, typical of most yuccas hence the common name Spineless Yucca. With age the trunk becomes rough and thick, and when mature, it develops a swollen base and often new stems from the base at ground level. Swollen base looks like an elephant’s foot, so plant is also called Elephant Foot Yucca.

Yucca guatemalensis can grow up to 8-10 m in height, with a spread to 5 m. It normally have a thick, single trunk or be multi trunked resulting from a thickened, trunk-like lower base. Sometimes after blooming 2-3 branch forms at near the top and makes a nice umbrella shape. The leaves are strap-like, shiny green, to 1 m long and about 7 cm wide, spineless with serrated margins. The selection, ‘Variegata’ has leaves with creamy yellow margins. Like other yuccas, this one has white bell shaped flowers borne on tall stalks above the foliage in summer. After white flowers are produced in summer, followed by brown, fleshy fruits which are oval and up to 2,5 cm long. The flower petals are edible.

Spineless Yucca can be grown in a variety of soils and is drought-tolerant. Young plants are occasionally used as houseplants. It is moderately tolerant of salt spray and salty soils. Also tolerates full sun to shade. Plants are subject to root rot if overwatered. Leaf spot may affect the appearance of the leaves, but it does not affect the health of the plant. Propagation is by suckers, cuttings or seed. Yucca guatemalensis ‘Silver Star’, Yucca guatemalensis ‘Jevel‘ are well known variegated forms of Spineless Yucca.

Landscape Use: Yucca guatemalensis is one of the tallest of the yuccas, and is often used as a framing specimen at the side of a building or along a walkway. It makes a striking presence in large landscapes, but may be too much for a small yard. Since they lack the sharp spines of other yuccas, Spineless Yucca’s are harmless and can be used where most others cannot. They are grown in containers and sometimes seen in indoor malls. This handsome tropical looking yucca can be used as an accent in a gravelly succulent garden, but realize it will get large.