Spikey Bush: ID Please: Dracaena? Agave? Yucca?

The person who gave me this plant said that it was in the "corn" family, but I can find nothing online that looks quite like it.

You can see in the picture that it has these hair type threads that come off the leaves. I have had it for a couple years now and it hasn't gotten much taller. The trunk part is about 3-4" tall and the entire plant is near 20" tall.

Just this summer I planted it outside and now I am concerned that it may not survive the winter here in NY. The person who gave it to me said that it could survive, but now that I'm not sure they even know what type of plant it is I am concerned.

Any hints would be appreciated- thanks

 

This is a species of Yucca, and is in NO way related to corn.

Cheers, LPN.

 

with the hair type threads it is likely Yucca filamentosa

 

Looks like yucca filamentosa. I have a couple dozen along drive, and flowers are
beautiful in spring. My neighbor had some in MI, and they survived below zero temps
and produced easily transplantable pups.

 

Yep, its yucca filamentosa and it can survive to zome 5a, i sugest taking the leaves and tying them up in the fall, this will prevent any of the evergreen foliage from dying in the winter.

 

thanks so much! can't wait to see it flourish outside.

 

Actually, Yucca filamentosa is hardy to zone 3... though I find the blooming to be pretty sporadic.