Comes from desert regions
Yuccas originally come from the dry regions of North America, such as the deserts of Mexico and the southwest of the United States.
Yucca Plants
Yucca Plants
Everything you need to know about the Yucca. Species and differences, origin, complete care, beautiful spots and our XXL collection all in one place.
The most important thing in 30 seconds
- The Yucca is a drought-resistant plant from North and Central America, also known as the yucca
- Popular species are Rostrata, Elephantipes, Filamentosa and Aloifolia
- Loves a sunny, dry spot and needs only a little water
- Not pet-friendly, contains saponins and has sharp leaf tips
- Some species such as Rostrata and Filamentosa are hardy
- Repot every 2 to 3 years, feed sparingly during the growing season
About this Yucca planting guide
Did you know?
Three facts about the Yucca that you may not have known yet.
Only flowers at night
Yucca flowers only open in the evening and at night to be pollinated by the yucca moth, a nocturnal insect with which they have a symbiotic relationship.
Roots were used as soap
Native American peoples made soap from the roots of the yucca, which is where the English name soaproot for some species comes from.
Yucca types and differences
Yucca Rostrata
The Rostrata is a graceful, hardy yucca with a rounded ball of narrow, blue-green leaves on a slender trunk. It tolerates frost down to around minus 15 degrees, which makes it a favourite garden plant with an exotic look.
Yucca Elephantipes
The Elephantipes, also called Gigantea, is by far the best-known yucca as a houseplant. It has a thick, woody trunk and soft, non-spiky leaves. An indestructible, low-maintenance plant for indoors that does not tolerate frost.
Yucca Filamentosa
The Filamentosa is a compact, trunkless yucca that grows as a rosette close to the ground. Fine white threads curl along the leaf edges. It is very hardy and flowers with tall plumes of cream-white bells.
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Yucca care step by step
Follow these steps to keep your Yucca healthy.
- 1
Watering
The Yucca is drought-resistant and needs little water. Only water once the soil has dried out completely, about once every two weeks in summer and once a month or less in winter. Too much water is the biggest pitfall, as it quickly leads to root rot. Always let excess water drain away.
- 2
Position and light
Place the Yucca in the sunniest spot you have, ideally in front of a south-facing window. It tolerates full sun without any problem and needs plenty of light to stay compact. In a spot that is too dark the leaves become limp and the trunk grows long and bare.
- 3
Soil and humidity
Use a free-draining soil, for example cactus or succulent soil with extra grit. The Yucca loves dry air and needs no extra humidity, so misting is not necessary. Above all, make sure water can drain away quickly at the roots.
- 4
Feeding
During the growing season from April to September, give a little cactus feed with the watering every four to six weeks. The Yucca is a light feeder, and too much feed does more harm than good. In autumn and winter you do not feed at all.
- 5
Repotting and pruning
Repot the Yucca every two to three years in spring into a sturdy, heavy pot that keeps the plant from toppling over. Pruning is hardly ever needed. If you want to lower a Yucca that has grown too tall, you can saw through the trunk, and both parts will sprout again afterwards. Wear gloves, as the leaf tips are sharp.
Frequently asked questions about the Yucca
Answers to the most frequently asked questions about the Yucca.
Is the Yucca toxic to cats and dogs?
Yes, the Yucca is mildly toxic to cats and dogs. The plant contains saponins that can cause vomiting and drooling if eaten. In addition, many species have sharp, hard leaf tips that can cause injuries. For that reason, keep the plant out of reach of pets.
How much water does a Yucca need?
A Yucca needs very little water. Only water once the soil has dried out completely, about once every two weeks in summer and once a month or less in winter. Too much water is the most common cause of death for the Yucca, because it causes root rot.
Is the Yucca hardy?
Some Yucca species are hardy, others are not. The Rostrata and the Filamentosa tolerate frost and can stay outdoors all year round. The Elephantipes and Aloifolia are not hardy and must overwinter as a houseplant or in a frost-free space.
Which position is best for a Yucca?
The best is the sunniest spot you have, ideally in front of a south-facing window. The Yucca tolerates full sun without any problem and needs plenty of light to stay compact. In a spot that is too dark the plant becomes limp and the trunk grows long and bare.
Why is my Yucca getting yellow or brown leaves?
Yellow or soft brown leaves on a Yucca usually point to too much water and the onset of root rot. Let the soil dry out completely and water less often. Dry brown leaf tips are often normal, as old lower leaves die off naturally and can be removed carefully.
How big does a Yucca get?
Depending on the species, a Yucca grows to between 0.5 and 3 metres tall. The compact Filamentosa stays around half a metre, the Elephantipes as a houseplant around 1 to 2 metres and the Rostrata can grow up to 3 metres in the garden. At XXLplant we deliver the larger specimens already at size.
Can you prune a Yucca that has grown too tall?
Yes, you can prune a Yucca that has grown too tall in spring by sawing through the trunk at the desired height. After a few weeks the lower part sprouts again with new shoots. You can root the sawn-off piece of trunk into a new plant. Wear gloves, as the leaf tips are sharp.
Does the Yucca purify the air?
The Yucca has no recognised status as an air-purifying plant. It is not on the well-known NASA Clean Air Study list. The Yucca is valued above all for its robust look and its ease of care, not for any specific air-purifying effect.
Plant concepts explained
- Saponin
- A natural substance in the yucca that foams in water and is mildly toxic when ingested, once used as soap
- Hardy
- The ability of a plant to survive frost, species such as the Rostrata and Filamentosa are hardy
- Rosette
- Leaves that grow in a circle close to the ground from a central point, characteristic of the trunkless Filamentosa
- Drought-resistant
- The ability of a plant to survive long periods without water, the yucca stores moisture in its trunk and roots
- Symbiosis
- A cooperation between two species from which both benefit, the yucca and the yucca moth depend on each other for reproduction
- Sword-shaped leaf
- A long, narrow and stiff leaf that ends in a sharp point, typical of the yucca
Resources and further reading
-
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Scientific description and taxonomy of the genus Yucca
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USDA, United States Department of Agriculture
Official plant database with distribution and characteristics of Yucca species in North America
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Wikipedia
General background information about the Yucca, species, origin and the symbiosis with the yucca moth
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