Yucca is a genus of over 40 perennial plants, shrubs, and trees. A few are grown as houseplants, including Yucca gigantea (also known as Y. guatemalensis and Y. elephantipes) and the Yucca aloifolia.

Rita Lovell didn’t plant the yucca that stole her heart. It volunteered, showing up on its own in the dry, rocky soil just ...