Is this an aloe?

carole_cobb331

We've had this plant (outdoors all year round) for about 10 years and for the first time it has produced a spike which looks like it will flower. The spike appeared and grew to over 5ft whilst we were away for a week and was shooting up at an average of 4-5" per day after that (we had to give up measuring when it reached over 11ft!) I always thought it was an aloe but now I'm not so sure. If anyone is able to identify it and offer some insight into the best way to care for it I'd be very grateful! 

B3

If you've had it for ten years, perhaps you could give advice 😉

philippasmith2

Looks to be a Yucca of some kind.  Most Aloes tend not to be hardy - at least not enough to last 10 years outside

carole_cobb331

If only - my 'gardening' is mostly a case of sticking things in the ground and hoping for the best! 

carole_cobb331

I didn't think of a Yucca (see my comment above!) - I'll go back to Google...

Fairygirl

I'd agree - that's a Yukka. Not an Aloe 
They don't need much care. It's clearly doing well, and you must have warm enough conditions if it thrives outside all year round. 

carole_cobb331

We live in Essex but always seem to miss the worst of the weather that other parts of the county experience.
I can see the resemblance to a Yucca - I thought they usually lost their lower leaves though? The flower spike looks different to the images I've seen but I'll wait for it to flower and check again.
Thanks for the help all.

Fairygirl

The other alternative is an Agave, but I wouldn't have thought they were hardy anywhere in the UK. The flower spike is maybe more like that than a Yukka. 

Yukkas form a clump - maybe you're thinking of Cordylines? They have a trunk, which gets bigger as the shed their lower foliage.  

Fairygirl

Easier to see now 

carole_cobb331

Yes - thank you! Someone else suggested it might be an Agave; if so I believe it will die after flowering which will be a shame.