Yuccas are desert plants native to the Southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central America. They've also bee naturalized throughout the Southern United States. As far as houseplants go, they are probably eclipsed by the similar-looking Dracaena genus (which is often mistaken for Yucca). They are, however, interesting and slow-growing houseplants that have the added benefit of being extremely drought tolerant.
If you kill a Yucca, it's probably due to overwatering. Over time, most species will grow into room-devouring monsters, but this takes long enough that they provide years of durable service as a houseplant. One word of caution, however: one of the popular species, Yucca aloifolia has very sharp spines on its leaf-tips that could potentially cause injury.
Spineless species are much more suited for indoor cultivation.
Bloom time: Varies by type; some will begin blooming in spring and others mid-to-late summer. Most varieties will bloom annually throughout their life — these are called polycarpic perennials. There are also monocarpic varieties, like Hesperoyucca whipplei (syn. Yucca whipplei), that flower only once then slowly decline and die, similar to many of their close relatives, Agave spp..
Color and characteristics:
Leaves can be thick or thin; usually long and narrow, sword-shaped, spine-tipped and arranged in rosettes. Foliage on some can be razor sharp. Flowers bloom on large stalks that emerge from the center of the plant, some over 10 feet tall. Flowers are usually white or cream, and some varieties may have a hint of pink, purple or green.
Toxicity:The sharp and spiny nature of some yuccas is usually enough to steer animals (and people) away. However, if they are ingested, they can be moderately toxic to cats, dogs, and humans.
Light: Bright, unfiltered sunlight. Yuccas thrive in full sunlight, so they're perfect for that west-facing window where everything else burns up.
Water: They are highly sensitive to water-logging. Water regularly in the spring and summer growing season, but make sure the plant has excellent drainage and dries between waterings. Water sporadically in the winter. Never let a plant sit in a tray of water.
Temperature: Widely variable. Yucca are adapted to the desert, where temperatures can soar into the 90°F (32°C) or higher and down into the 30°F (-1°C) at night.
Soil: A loose, well-drained potting mix.
Fertilizer: Fertilize during the growing season with liquid fertilizer or controlled-release fertilizer according to label instructions.
YUCCA PLANT CARE
Pruning: Although technically not considered pruning, maintaining your plants by trimming dead or damaged leaves can be done at any time. Cutting the plant back to reduce its size should be done in early spring, right before the growing season.
Simply cut off the top portion of a trunk down to the desired size. This will leave a sparse trunk for a while, but new offsets should sprout from the cut point. However, this growth can sometimes be unpredictable. At this same time, offsets can be cut away, and replanted if desired.
For stemless rosette types, dead or damaged leaves along the bottom of the plant can be removed at any time to clean up the plant.
Flower stalks should be cut back to the base after flowering. Some people don’t care for the look of the flower stalk, and in that case, it can be cut down at any time, even before it blooms.
Propagation:
New starts can be grown from offsets, root cuttings or seed. If propagating from offsets, remove them in spring, strip off any foliage, and plant. Water them well to start and keep them protected until roots are growing.
Root cuttings can be taken in winter or spring from mature plants. Dig down and cut a 3-inch section from the existing root structure. Keep the cutting in a cool, dry place for a couple of days before planting. Place it in potting soil and in a location where it will receive indirect light. Roots should begin to grow in about three to four weeks.
See above in How to Plant for more information on growing from seed. Flowering yuccas may need some help by hand pollinating them in order to produce seed. Note that only species plants will come true from seed and not all seed will be fertile.
Diseases and pests:
Although there are no serious insect or disease problems, cane borers, scale insects and fungal leaf spots can occur. Brown leaf spot can often be caused by overhead watering, so it’s always best to water at the base of the plant. Stem rot is one of the most common problems with yuccas, but can be avoided with well-draining soil.
Due to their sharp and spiny nature, yuccas are deer resistant.
How to care yucca for Indoors
Water indoor plants moderately when plants are in growth (April to September), but more sparingly when dormant (autumn and winter) - once or twice a month may be sufficient. Allow the soil to dry out slightly before watering again.Feed with a balanced liquid feed every few weeks during the growing season from late spring to late summer.
Outdoors
Outdoors, yucca plants planted in the ground need very little care and attention. Once established, it’s unlikely plants will need watering. Feed once a year with a controlled-release feed applied in spring.
Remove lower leaves as they turn brown. Be careful of the leaves as they have strong spikes at their tips, which can cause severe pain - and be especially careful of your eyes; protective goggles are a good idea.
When flowers in the flower spikes have died, cut down the flowering stem to its base where it joins the main part of the plant.
If you kill a Yucca, it's probably due to overwatering. Over time, most species will grow into room-devouring monsters, but this takes long enough that they provide years of durable service as a houseplant. One word of caution, however: one of the popular species, Yucca aloifolia has very sharp spines on its leaf-tips that could potentially cause injury.
Spineless species are much more suited for indoor cultivation.
Bloom time: Varies by type; some will begin blooming in spring and others mid-to-late summer. Most varieties will bloom annually throughout their life — these are called polycarpic perennials. There are also monocarpic varieties, like Hesperoyucca whipplei (syn. Yucca whipplei), that flower only once then slowly decline and die, similar to many of their close relatives, Agave spp..
Color and characteristics:
Leaves can be thick or thin; usually long and narrow, sword-shaped, spine-tipped and arranged in rosettes. Foliage on some can be razor sharp. Flowers bloom on large stalks that emerge from the center of the plant, some over 10 feet tall. Flowers are usually white or cream, and some varieties may have a hint of pink, purple or green.
Toxicity:The sharp and spiny nature of some yuccas is usually enough to steer animals (and people) away. However, if they are ingested, they can be moderately toxic to cats, dogs, and humans.
Light: Bright, unfiltered sunlight. Yuccas thrive in full sunlight, so they're perfect for that west-facing window where everything else burns up.
Water: They are highly sensitive to water-logging. Water regularly in the spring and summer growing season, but make sure the plant has excellent drainage and dries between waterings. Water sporadically in the winter. Never let a plant sit in a tray of water.
Temperature: Widely variable. Yucca are adapted to the desert, where temperatures can soar into the 90°F (32°C) or higher and down into the 30°F (-1°C) at night.
Soil: A loose, well-drained potting mix.
Fertilizer: Fertilize during the growing season with liquid fertilizer or controlled-release fertilizer according to label instructions.
YUCCA PLANT CARE
Pruning: Although technically not considered pruning, maintaining your plants by trimming dead or damaged leaves can be done at any time. Cutting the plant back to reduce its size should be done in early spring, right before the growing season.
Simply cut off the top portion of a trunk down to the desired size. This will leave a sparse trunk for a while, but new offsets should sprout from the cut point. However, this growth can sometimes be unpredictable. At this same time, offsets can be cut away, and replanted if desired.
For stemless rosette types, dead or damaged leaves along the bottom of the plant can be removed at any time to clean up the plant.
Flower stalks should be cut back to the base after flowering. Some people don’t care for the look of the flower stalk, and in that case, it can be cut down at any time, even before it blooms.
Propagation:
New starts can be grown from offsets, root cuttings or seed. If propagating from offsets, remove them in spring, strip off any foliage, and plant. Water them well to start and keep them protected until roots are growing.
Root cuttings can be taken in winter or spring from mature plants. Dig down and cut a 3-inch section from the existing root structure. Keep the cutting in a cool, dry place for a couple of days before planting. Place it in potting soil and in a location where it will receive indirect light. Roots should begin to grow in about three to four weeks.
See above in How to Plant for more information on growing from seed. Flowering yuccas may need some help by hand pollinating them in order to produce seed. Note that only species plants will come true from seed and not all seed will be fertile.
Diseases and pests:
Although there are no serious insect or disease problems, cane borers, scale insects and fungal leaf spots can occur. Brown leaf spot can often be caused by overhead watering, so it’s always best to water at the base of the plant. Stem rot is one of the most common problems with yuccas, but can be avoided with well-draining soil.
Due to their sharp and spiny nature, yuccas are deer resistant.
How to care yucca for Indoors
Water indoor plants moderately when plants are in growth (April to September), but more sparingly when dormant (autumn and winter) - once or twice a month may be sufficient. Allow the soil to dry out slightly before watering again.Feed with a balanced liquid feed every few weeks during the growing season from late spring to late summer.
Outdoors
Outdoors, yucca plants planted in the ground need very little care and attention. Once established, it’s unlikely plants will need watering. Feed once a year with a controlled-release feed applied in spring.
Remove lower leaves as they turn brown. Be careful of the leaves as they have strong spikes at their tips, which can cause severe pain - and be especially careful of your eyes; protective goggles are a good idea.
When flowers in the flower spikes have died, cut down the flowering stem to its base where it joins the main part of the plant.
