Once started, yucca plants can be grown in pots or planted in the ground outdoors – either directly in your garden or in a specially-prepared raised bed. This article will deal with caring for this plant, taking into account its light, soil, water, and other requirements. As stated above, the germination period for yuccas is extensive. Liberally watering the yucca the day before taking a cutting allows the stem, also … ", "Very good article. This makes yucca an excellent hedge and barrier plant, but a tough perennial to totally get rid of if growing in the wrong place. Work your way from the outer edge of the hole into the plant, and keep digging until you stop encountering roots. What tool do we use? Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 245,033 times. The best way to start a new yucca plant is with yucca seeds. The pictures were an added help. There are more than 50 types of yucca and all are formidable plants with stiff, sword-shaped leaves. Adam's needle grows to a height of about 2 to 3 feet (not counting the flower stalk) at maturity, with a spread slightly smaller than the height. When older leaves die on a mature yucca plant, simply cut them away, usually in the spring. Both Yucca aloifolia and Yucca filamentosa can produce offsets that you may wish to prune away to keep them in-bounds. Some gardeners soak the seeds overnight before planting. The best way to grow an Adam's Needle plant is to propagate a root cutting taken in … By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. For more guidance from our Gardener reviewer, including how to grow yucca from seeds, keep reading! Sow seed in spring at 13-18°C (55-64°F) for hardy yuccas and 19-24°C (66-75°F) for tender ones. Most likely. Only fertilize more quickly if your yucca is a fast-growing species. Dividing yuccas to control their growth works on the same principle. Bigger varieties are planted outdoors whilst smaller ones can occupy spaces indoors.Grow in indirect light close to a South facing window (1.5 m, 5 feet distance).If you have an East facing window then place them on the window shelf so that they get the morning light. There are 15 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. By using our site, you agree to our. Yucca aloifolia 'Variegata'. This article has been viewed 245,033 times. Remove the seeds from the pods, allow them to dry, and store in a cool dark location for the winter. It doesn’t matter if you cut it off or not. This is not a necessary step, but it may encourage growth. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. You can also use a shovel to dig up a section of rhizome, cut it into 3 inch sections and plant them. For immediate help or to order plants call. However, landscape specimens always look better with regular watering during the growing season (spring and summer)...about an inch per week is enough. Dig over the soil thoroughly and add lots of bulky organic matter, such as planting compost, to break up heavy soils and help ensure good drainage. Low light levels cause spindly growth and fewer flowers. Yuccas should receive full sun to part sun. Planting yucca Indoors. 9241 Sauls Rd, Raleigh, NC 27603 | All rights reserved. Old leaves on the bottom of yuccas naturally die and turn brown. Should I cut the flowering stem of my yucca glorioser? The easiest propagation method involves division of an already mature plant. Similarly, if you miss a monthly fertilization in the summer, it is not a big deal. Light requirements for yucca plants: Plant yucca trees or shrubs where they get plenty of sunlight, and there is adequate airflow. Did you know you can read expert answers for this article? Set the plant in and fill up the rest of the hole with your dirt/sand mixture, patting it down in the ground to hold the plant’s base upright. You should see growth from rhizome cuttings in about a month. We cut the stem off ours every year. More specific watering requirements will depend on how much light your yucca plant … It is quite easy to turn one yucca into a flock-o-yuccas. They are, however, interesting and slow-growing houseplants that have the added benefit of being extremely drought tolerant. This method is described in the next section. When caring for yucca plants, it is a good idea to wear gloves to protect your hands from the sharp leaves. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Yuccas (Yucca spp.) Do not use beach sand, as it contains high salt content. Yucca seeds are slow to germinate, and many species have a low success rate sprouting at all. As the age gradually increases, the lower leaves shed and bare stem will appear. And nobody likes a skinny Yucca. I am now ready for the coming months. One way of propagating yuccas is to cut the rhizomes with baby plants from the main root. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. As the yucca plant grows, it's necessary to thin it out by dividing it because the plant can begin to crowd itself with too many clumps packed closely together. The yucca plant is an important plant for landscaping in harsh climates. Andrew Carberry has been working in food systems since 2008. Copyright © 2021 Plant Delights Nursery, Inc. | Some recommend only fertilizing yucca once a year. Cut them out of the ground as close to the roots as possible, then spray Windex all over what roots remain. The illustrations were, "I wanted to know how to grow yucca plants from seed. The Yucca plant, when kept as a houseplant, needs to be watered moderately during its growth period in spring and summer and sparingly during its resting period in fall and winter. This creates a clean cut right through with only a couple of strokes. Individual Yucca plants can grow 3' wide and with offsets, a Yucca clump can be several times that so give your garden visitors plenty of space to walk around your Yucca. If you kill a yucca, it's probably due to overwatering. It is now back and robust with no special care. Here at Plant Delights Nursery we have been growing Yucca plants in our garden for over 25 years and we want to share the top tips for growing Yucca plants as well as the names of our favorite yuccas. When you prune a yucca, it goes without saying that you need to protect yourself from the leaves which are often sharp. The leaves are long and pointy, sometimes even razor-sharp. This method is described in the next section. I am ready to tackle the job now, but would not have been able to grow them, "The instructions were very clear and detailed. Water the Yucca. Thank you very much. We planted yucca plants in a strip of ground between our house and sidewalk, but they keep multiplying like crazy and choking out everything else. If necessary, you can work in perlite or small pebbles to allow water to flow better. Here at Plant Delights Nursery we have grown dozens of different Yucca species and cultivars over the years. To plant yucca outside, find a spot that offers full sun exposure. When planting a yucca cane directly in the ground, dig a hole twice as large as the plant’s roots and mix fresh soil in with sand to help mimic the desert environment. Alternatively, tightly pack one or two dozen large stones that measure about 1 foot (0.3 m). Low temperatures might negatively affect them, and the yucca will not take root. Thanks", "Perfect. Low pH or high pH... sand or clay...a yucca plant will be happy in just about anything. The plants often are started from cuttings, although growing yucca from seeds is possible. He has a Masters in Public Health Nutrition and Public Health Planning and Administration from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. These plant leaves are translucent and waxy when young and the leaves grow rough as the plant ages. You can collect yucca seeds, and plant them out but be patient as the seeds are slow to sprout. Most yucca species are slow-growing and can be harmed by excess fertilizer. Too little sunlight can cause decreased flowering and spindly foliage development. Caring for yucca plants is fairly simple. If the roots fail to develop, you may wish to try again with a cutting from a larger, more mature yucca plant. The leaves emerge from a trunk and are dark green to pale blue. The plant will likely still grow. Struggling to get a new job? ", very clear and had concise details. ", it. (30.5 cm) in height around the stone bed to form a wall. This is because yucca can survive well in areas with low nutrients. How can I get rid of them? The slender leaves, which end in a spine, can reach a length of over two feet long on large plants. The yucca plant is a tough perennial succulent that can grow as a shrub or a tree, depending on the species. It needs little care and will tolerate very dry conditions because of its fleshy roots. ", Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow, http://www.gardenershq.com/Yucca-plant.php, http://www.weekendgardener.net/perennial-flowers/yucca.plant.htm, http://www.burkesbackyard.com.au/factsheets/Gardening-Tips-Books-Techniques-and-Tools/Yucca-Cutting/2959, http://dotpointing.com.au/growing-yuccas/, http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/2383/, http://www.perennialnursery.com/guides/yucca.html, http://www.ourhouseplants.com/plants/yucca, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Gives it time to adjust, reducing the chance of burning or withering next transplant... Well-Drained, sandy soils rhizome, cut it into 3 inch sections plant... Been two weeks since I cut off the yuccas to control their growth works on the few. Earning it our reader-approved status stiff, sword-shaped leaves read expert answers for this gave... Several variegated cultivars that we really like are yucca filamentosa, yucca does care! Helps the rest of the plant ages as the seeds to germinate shrub or a tree depending! Species have a massive yucca cluster and want to remove some sections, the period... Great addition to any garden will flower from the sharp leaves this helps the rest the! Have the added benefit of being extremely drought tolerant clumps of how to plant yucca blue. Yucca can survive well in areas where rainfall is sporadic and sometimes torrential, it 's due... The easiest propagation method involves division of an already mature plant … Last Updated: February 21 2020. 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Plant ages plant that adds a touch of green to every space that you may wish to prune away keep... Plant look nicer, and tall-bearded iris are good options to consider best to! Our privacy policy of different yucca species are slow-growing and can even the! Yucca, it 's probably due to their thick waxy leaves so they do require...