Native to Central America, the giant yucca grows to 15 or even 30 feet outdoors in zones 10-12, forming a broad, multi-stemmed canopy of pale blue-green leaves arranged in spiral rosettes at the branch tips. Each leaf runs 12 to 18 inches long with a soft, unprickly tip, a notable difference from the dangerous points of most yuccas. In late spring or summer, tall stalks carry clusters of creamy, bell-shaped flowers. The trunk, thick and woody from the start, develops a distinctive swollen base over time. In cooler climates it is kept as a houseplant, where it manages perfectly well at room temperature but needs to be kept away from cold drafts and from excess water, which is the most reliable way to kill it.

For container culture, a mix of one part potting soil to three parts perlite or coarse sand gives the drainage this plant needs. Let the soil dry substantially between waterings. Outdoors it handles temperatures between 70 and 90 degrees well; anything below 50 risks damage and anything near freezing will cause dieback. Plants near foundations should be sited carefully — the base grows very large and becomes extremely difficult to remove once established. Leaves and roots are toxic to humans, cats, dogs, and horses.