Beschorneria yuccoides is a robust plant with beautiful lance-shaped leaves and exotic flowers. However, if care is not taken, the plant can die.
This guide will help you to understand how to care for it and grow one that is not only healthy but also beautiful. Learn how to take care, feed and prune this plant and watch it develop in a matter of weeks!
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About Beschorneria yuccoides
Strongly resembling a Yucca, the Beschorneria yuccoides is nevertheless not part of the same family. Instead, it is a succulent perennial with gorgeous leaves and intriguing flowers.
The leaves are long and sword-like, reaching up to 2 feet long at their tallest. They are unaccompanied by any spines or thorns and are, therefore, safe for gardeners to handle without gloves.
These leaves form a stemless rosette which multiplies over time, forming multiple offsets over the years.
Flowers appear on a tall, colorful flowering stalk, adding interest to the garden from spring to summer.
Its common name, Mexican Lily, references its native region, Mexico.
It is the recipient of the Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.
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| Botanical Name | Beschorneria yuccoides |
| Common Name | Mexican Lily |
| Family | Asparagaceae |
| Plant Type | Succulent |
| Origin | Mexico |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Height | 3-7 feet |
| Width | 3-4 feet |
| Light | Full sun, Partial shade |
| Bloom season | Spring, Summer |
| Bloom color | Green, Red |
| Water needs | Low |
| Soil | Well-Drained, Loamy, Sandy |
| Tolerant | Drought |
| Toxicity | non-toxic |
| Hardiness (USDA) | 8-11 |
Beschorneria yuccoides Care
Mexican Lily is hardy in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 8b through 11. Although forgiving, it is not as easy-going as some other succulents and requires moderate care.
Light
It will thrive in full sun but will also survive in partial shade.
However, for optimal growth, it still prefers being placed in the way of direct sunlight for at least 4-6 hours a day.
Soil
Beschorneria yuccoides is not too picky when it comes to soil type. It will grow in dry, sandy, or loamy soil and clay soils if they aren’t wholly waterlogged. To ensure that your plant has optimal growing conditions, mix equal parts sand and peat moss for a light but an effective potting mix.
Water
Mexican Lily is a very drought-tolerant plant. It can survive on very little water, but it will still grow faster and more vigorously with regular watering. Water your lily infrequently but deeply, so the soil doesn’t remain soggy for extended periods.
Temperature and Humidity
Beschorneria yuccoides is a tropical plant that needs warm temperatures and moderate humidity. Therefore, the average temperature should be between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 60 degrees Fahrenheit at night.
A bulb thermometer is a valuable tool for monitoring these conditions in your home or garden.
Fertilizer
Mexican lily is a heavy feeder that needs to be fertilized regularly. Use an all-purpose balanced fertilizer at half-strength when watering your plant.
The best time to fertilize is when you water your plants rather than waiting until they are visibly wilted or showing signs of nutrient deficiency.
In winter, cut back on the frequency of fertilizer applications by half but continue using the same strength of fertilizer in the summer.
Pruning
Mexican lilies are generally grown as shrubs, not trees. You should prune them to keep them from growing too large and unruly. Mexican lily tends to flop over when left unpruned, so regular pruning is recommended around the spring.
Potting and Repotting Mexican Lily
Beschorneria yuccoides is best grown in a container with a rich, organic-soil mix such as potting soil or composted bark mulch.
They are generally repotted every two to three years, although they can be left in the same container for a long time.
Wait to repot until you see the plant visibly straining the confines of its current pot. Unnecessary repotting has been known to cause stress.
Prepare
How to Repot (Step-by-Step)
- Remove the plant from its current pot. Use your trowel to gently loosen the soil around the outside of the root ball.
- Gently pull and lift out as much soil as possible from around all sides of the root ball.
- Cut off any dead, broken, or damaged roots with your knife or pruning shears, leaving only healthy roots.
- Fill the new container with fresh, well-draining potting soil. The top of the rootball should be about 1 inch below the rim of your new pot.
- Gently place the plant in its new pot, then add more soil until it reaches the same level.
- Water your plant thoroughly with a watering can or hose attachment. Don’t forget to poke some holes in the bottom of your pot for drainage!
Propagating Beschorneria yuccoides by Division (Step-by-Step)
As they grow, the Beschorneria yuccoides plants tend to form offsets around the base of the main plant. This is an accessible resource to exploit if you’re in the market for new Mexican Lilies.
- Choose a healthy offset to use for propagation. It should have at least two leaves.
- Cut the offset away from the main plant with a knife or sharp scissors. Try to keep its root system attached.
- Allow the cut end to heal and callus over for a few days.
- Fill a container with a well-draining soil mix and place your new offset in it.
- Water thoroughly until water starts draining out of the bottom holes.
Propagating Beschorneria yuccoides by Seeds (Step-by-Step)
Beschorneria yuccoides are also easy to propagate by seed. Your best bet is to sow them in the spring, but try to do so immediately after harvesting if possible.
This method will take at least two years for the plant to mature enough to bloom.
- Sow the seeds in a pot of well-draining soil.
- Cover them up with a fine layer of the potting medium but don’t bury them too far underneath.
- Place the container in a warm, sunny location and moisten the soil.
- Once the seeds have germinated, move them to a larger pot but keep them indoors.
Blooms
Blooms usually occur at the end of spring and into early summer. A tall, showy flowering stalk (4-7 ft.) emerges from the center of the rosette.
The flowers are green, but they’re covered with large red bracts that attract the eye and steal the show.
The flowers are bell-shaped and slightly sagging.
Toxicity
Beschorneria yuccoides is non-toxic. It is safe to keep around pets and children.
NOTE: This page is not intended as a substitute for veterinary advice. The toxicity of an ingested substance varies depending on the amount ingested, the animal’s weight, and its sensitivity to specific allergens. Contact your veterinarian or local animal poison control center immediately if you think your pet may have ingested a toxic substance.
Common Pests
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are tiny white insects that suck the sap from plants. They have a waxy covering that makes them difficult to see with the naked eye. Mealybugs are often found on succulents or cacti but can also be seen on other houseplants and outdoor plants.
Scale Insects
Scale insects are tiny, brownish-black, or tan insects that suck sap from plants. They can be a problem for succulents if left unmanaged. If you notice hard-shelled insects on your potted plant, there is likely a scale infestation. To get rid of them, carefully remove them by hand and wash them down the sink drain with water. Then, rub the affected areas with neem oil to prevent them from returning.
Spider Mites
Spider Mites are common pests. They are tiny red spiders that live on the underside of leaves, sucking out their contents. You can see their webbing and black spots on leaves if you look closely. Use an insecticidal soap spray to kill them off.
