Banana Yucca (Yucca baccata) – Plant, Fruit & Growing Guide.

Describing Banana Yucca (Yucca Baccata)

In the American Southwest, in the deserts, grows Bana Yucca. It has a few other nicknames like Datil Yucca, Broadleaf Yucca, and the scientific name “Bacata”.

Banana Yucca is from the Yucca genus, and is usually one trunk with many clumps at ground level. This plant has no “familial” ties with bananas and got its name from the fruits it grows, resembling short greenish bananas.

Yucca Banana Overview
Feature	Details
Origin	Southwestern United States (Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, Nevada, Colorado) and northern Mexico
Type	Evergreen perennial succulent
Size	Height: 2–4 ft (60–120 cm) Spread: 3–6 ft (90–180 cm)
Life span	Long-lived perennial, often surviving 20–50 years or more in suitable conditions
Leaf Colors	Bluish-green to gray-green, sometimes with a powdery or waxy coating
Flowers	Bell-shaped, with creamy colour
Propagation	By seeds, but more often by offset division
Toxicity	Non-toxic to humans and edible, but might upset a pet’s stomach if eaten too much
Special Features	Easy to manage, edible, and landscapeable

Banana Yucca Care

If you already own an Agave or any other big succulent, then you already know quite well how to take care of Yucca.

We will give you a short care guide on this plant now.

Light Requirements

Full sun is essential. Yucca thrives in bright, direct sunlight and should be under the sun for at least 6–8 hours daily.

Temperature Requirements

Yucca is naturally adapted to hot, desert climates. The ideal range would be 60–95°F (15–35°C).

At a lower temperature, it will have sustained growth or go into hibernation.

Watering Requirements

A plant being watered and an overwatered Yucca.

You should water this shrub deeply but infrequently. During the growing season (spring–summer), you can water it every 2–3 weeks (if the rain doesn’t fall).

All Yuccas need more water when they are small, but when they reach maturity, they get established and can survive longer periods in droughts.

Soil Requirements

Many desert-living plants prefer well-draining soil. Sandy, gravelly, or rocky types are best. Some experts advise using a mix of 2 parts cactus/succulent soil + 1 part coarse sand or perlite.

Avoid clay or waterlogged soil at all costs! Such mixes will lead to root rot, a dangerous condition for any succulents like Banana Yucca, Aloe Ferox, and others.

Fertilizer Requirements

Generally, succulents don't need much feeding. If you manage to grow Yucca in a container, you can feed it with a diluted cactus fertilizer once in the spring.

Propagation and Planting

Would you like to start over again and grow a new shrub? We’ve got you covered.

You can multiply this shrub just like you would a cactus, i.e., by “pups”. Pups are small offsets, little “copies” growing on and around the plant. Give them enough space and care, and a new specimen will grow.

Choose a healthy offset: Look for small rosettes growing from the base of the parent plant (at least 6 inches tall).
Separate the pup: Gently dig around the pup and cut it away with a bit of its root system attached. Some may have no roots yet, but don’t worry. They will grow roots later; just give them time.
Dry the cutting: Let the pup dry in a shaded, airy spot for 1–2 days. This seals the cut and helps prevent rot.
Plant the pup: Place it in well-draining soil, and set it just deep enough to anchor the base.
Water lightly: Wait a few days after planting, then water the plant sparingly. Keep the soil just barely moist until roots form (2–4 weeks), then reduce watering. After that period, the shrub nuggets partially established and retained water more easily.
Wait for rooting: Roots usually appear within 1–2 months. Once established, treat it like an adult plant.

Toxicity and Edibility

Good news! Banana Yucca is generally non-toxic. In fact, the Banana Yucca fruits, flowers, and flower stalks of the Banana Yucca were traditionally eaten by many Indigenous peoples of the American Southwest. People say that these fruits taste like a mix between sweet potato and banana.

One part of this plant, though, is dubious edible. The leaves. Yuccas contain saponins in their leaves, which a natural soap-like compounds. If pets ingest it, they might experience diarrhea.

All in all, it is not a plant with edible leaves, but other parts are not just edible, but delicious.

Gardening Benefits

We all know that Yuccas are great. They are edible, strong, and so many things can be made from them. What about the Banana cultivar? Let’s see if it is just as useful.

Category	Benefit
Ecological	Supports pollinators (yucca moths, bees, beetles). Stabilizes desert soil and prevents erosion
Edible	Fruits (“banana pods”) are edible. Flowers and young stalks can be cooked. Seeds can be ground into meal or porridge
Medicinal	Roots contain saponins used as natural soap or shampoo.
Practical/Fiber	Leaves provide strong fibers for cords, mats, sandals, ropes, and baskets
Landscaping	Highly drought-tolerant and low-maintenance. Has an architectural and sculptural form.

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Banana Yucca – Plant, Fruit and Care Guide

Contents:

Describing Banana Yucca (Yucca Baccata)