- Gulf Coast yucca has sturdy evergreen leaves forming a basal rosette. The tips of its one to 3 1/2-foot long leaves are sharp and needle-like. The leaf edges are often textured with curly leaf fibers. The flower stalks are tall--up to 9 feet--and downy, standing above the rosette and are many-branched, like candelabra. The flowers are green or light brown and waxy. Yucca louisianensis is set apart from other yuccas by its pubescent flower stalk.
- Gulf Coast yucca is limited in range, growing in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zone 7. Naturally growing in dry, sandy soils, it is adaptable and will also grow in average to rich garden soils, though it must not sit in wet soil. It needs full sun to part shade and does well in an exposed hot and sunny location that other plants find inhospitable.
- Plant Yucca louisianensis as a small shrub or accent plant. Its spiky leaves provide a contrast to the rounded foliage, soft texture and bright, glossy appearance of many garden plants. It makes a suitable foundation planting in sandy locations or vacation houses, where it will thrive on the prolonged neglect of absentee ownership. Gulf Coast yucca makes an excellent anchor plant in a rock garden.
- Like all yuccas, Gulf Coast yucca is easy to propagate by severing smaller rosettes off the main plant. The spent flower stalks are attractive and often left on the plant after flowering. If you prefer, cutting out the flower stalks after it flowers concentrates plant energies on rosette health, preparing it for better performance the following year.