Thrives in any soil but prefers a sandy loam and full exposure to the south. They can succeed in light shade. Plants are hardier when grown on poor sandy soils. Established plants are very drought resistant. A very ornamental plant, it is only hardy in the mildest areas of Britain tolerating temperatures down to about -10°c if in a suitable site. It requires greenhouse protection in most of the country. Members of this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits. The flowers of most members of this genus can only be pollinated by a certain species of moth. This moth cannot live in Britain and, if fruit and seed is required, hand pollination is necessary. This can be quite easily and successfully done using something like a small paint brush. This species, however, does not require the Yucca moth for pollination and will set fruit without hand pollination. The flowers open at night and are powerfully fragrant at this time. Individual crowns are monocarpic, dying after flowering. However, the crown will usually produce a number of sideshoots before it dies and these will grow on to flower in later years. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus.

Fruit - raw or cooked. A thick, succulent mass of bitter-sweet juicy flesh. The fruit is up to 10 cm long and 4cm wide. Flowers - raw or cooked. They are delicious raw, or can be dried, crushed and used as a flavoring. A crisp texture. Flowering stem - peeled and boiled. Used like asparagus.

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. Pre-soaking the seed for 24 hours in warm water may reduce the germination time. It usually germinates within 1 - 12 months if kept at a temperature of 20°c. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse or cold frame for at least their first two winters. Plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer and consider giving them some winter protection for at least their first winter outdoors - a simple pane of glass is usually sufficient. Root cuttings in late winter or early spring. Lift in April/May and remove small buds from base of stem and rhizomes. Dip in dry wood ashes to stop any bleeding and plant in a sandy soil in pots in a greenhouse until established.

Sand dunes of the coast, occasionally up to 60 km inland, in pine forests. Also found on the margins of brackish marshes.