Hesperaloe parviflora

Hesperaloe parviflora, also known as red yucca, coral yucca, hummingbird yucca, redflower false yucca, and samandoque, is an evergreen perennial succulent that is similar to yucca. Native to the Chihuahuan desert in western Texas and northeastern Mexico, it grows in deserts, prairies, rocky slopes, and mesquite groves.

Even though it is closely related to yuccas, it belongs to the century plant family rather than the yucca family. These leaves are narrow, arched, sword-like, blue-green, and grow in clumps up to 6' wide with 2-3' long leaves. Even though the leaves are evergreen, they often take on a purple or reddish-bronze color in cold winter climates. There are distinctive thread-like hairs on the margins of each leaf.

On red flower stalks 4-6' tall, the tubular red to pink flowers rise well above the foliage clump. During cold winter climates, flowers bloom during early to mid-summer with frequent reblooms into fall. Still, during warm winter climates, they bloom earlier and continue blooming throughout the year—an excellent plant for hummingbirds.

This plant grows well in dry, sandy, sharply-drained soils in full sun. It thrives in hot desert conditions but is also surprisingly hardy in USDA Zone 5. The key to growing this plant well is to have excellent soil drainage. Extremely resistant to heat and drought. Self-seeds in the landscape can become propagated by clump division. It is tolerant of urban conditions.

Height: 3’-5’
Spread: 4’-6’
Bloom: June-August
Light: Full Sun, Part Shade, Dappled Shade
Water: Low
Zone: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Origin: Texas