Adam's needle

Yucca filamentosa

Perennial
Drought Tolerant
Native (SE US)
Pollinator Plant
Deer Resistant

Pet & Human Safety

Toxic to people and pets

Hazardous parts

Not yet checked.

Preparation

Ornamental plant; no eating or preparation guidance is given.

Hazard type

physical injury from sharp leaf tips and spines (NC State: sharply pointed leaves, appendage spines)

Hazard route

Physical (sharp spines); no skin-irritant or ingestion warning for people stated by NC State

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

ASPCA: toxic principle saponins; signs in dogs and cats: vomiting; in horses: liver disease and dermatitis. The ASPCA page is for Yucca species in general, not Y. filamentosa by name. NC State independently flags this species for cats, dogs and horses. The two agree. NC State also lists spines as a plant feature.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

Get the app: coming soon

Care

Hardiness zones: USDA 4a-10b (NC State)
Light: Full sun (6+ hours) or partial shade (2-6 hours) (NC State)
Water needs: low
Mature size: Height 3-8 ft, width 3-5 ft (flower stalk 5-8 ft) (NC State)
Family: Asparagaceae (NC State; ASPCA's Yucca page files the genus under Agavaceae)
Where it comes from: Native to the southeastern United States: AL, FL, GA, LA, MD, MS, NC, SC, VA, WV (NC State).