We offer two types of yucca: Yucca elephantipes as a houseplant and Yucca rostrata with blue-grey leaves for the garden or patio. Both like as much light as possible and need little water.
This collection has two yucca species that look very different. The Yucca elephantipes is the familiar indoor yucca. It has one or more thick trunks topped with green, sword-shaped leaves. You will find it here from 140 to 190 cm, also as a branched 150 cm plant.
The Yucca rostrata has narrow, blue-grey leaves that form a ball on top of the trunk. It suits a sunny garden or patio. The smallest rostratas are young plants without a visible trunk. The largest come in a ø50 or ø55 cm pot and are already 150 to 170 cm tall. The Beaucarnea has a similarly striking look.
Position and light
Indoors a Yucca elephantipes does best in a bright spot, for example a metre from the window. It handles some morning or evening sun well. If it is too dark, new leaves grow long and floppy. In summer it can go outside, but bring it in before the frost arrives.
The Yucca rostrata wants as much sun as possible. It tolerates frost fairly well, provided the soil stays dry. Cold and wet together is the biggest risk for this yucca. In a pot the root ball is more vulnerable than in the ground, so in winter place the pot against a wall or under a canopy.
Water and care
Yuccas store water in their trunk, so too much water is a bigger problem than too little. These rules of thumb help:
Only water when the potting soil is mostly dry.
Never leave water standing in the decorative pot or saucer.
Water much less in winter, especially outdoors.
Remove old, brown lower leaves by gently pulling them off.
More on feeding, repotting and leaf problems is in our yucca care guide.
Size, price and delivery
The yuccas in this collection cost from €39.95 to €469.95. We measure height from the bottom of the pot to the tallest leaf. Every plant comes in a nursery pot of ø24 to ø55 cm, and you pick a decorative pot separately. In the Netherlands your yucca arrives in 4 to 5 working days. It travels upright in a sturdy plant box. Delivery within the Netherlands is free from €99. If there is any damage on the way, send us a photo and we will send you a new plant free of charge.
That depends on the species. The Yucca rostrata tolerates frost fairly well, as long as the soil stays dry. Cold and wet together is the biggest danger. The Yucca elephantipes is a houseplant and cannot handle frost. It can go outside in summer, but must be back indoors before the first night frost.
How often should you water a yucca?
Only water when the potting soil is mostly dry. Indoors in summer that often works out at once a week to once every two weeks, in winter less. Never leave water in the decorative pot, because soggy roots are the most common cause of root rot.
Which types of yucca are there?
There are dozens of species. For indoors the Yucca elephantipes is the best known, with a thick trunk and green sword-shaped leaves. For outdoors the Yucca rostrata is popular, with narrow blue-grey leaves in a ball. At XXLplant you will find both species, from small plants to 190 cm specimens.
Can a yucca stand in full sun?
A Yucca rostrata loves full sun and prefers the sunniest spot in the garden. An indoor Yucca elephantipes tolerates some direct sun, but do not put it right behind glass in harsh midday sun. The leaves can scorch there, especially if it has just been moved.
How fast does a yucca grow?
A yucca grows slowly. Indoors it adds a few new leaf rosettes a year, but the plant only gets a few centimetres taller. So if you are buying a yucca for a particular spot, choose the height you want straight away rather than counting on fast growth.
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. Many species also have sharp, hard leaf tips that can cause injuries. So 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 a Yucca, because it leads to root rot.
Is the Yucca hardy?
Some Yucca species are hardy, others are not. The Rostrata and the Filamentosa tolerate frost and can stay outside all year round. The Elephantipes and Aloifolia are not hardy and need to overwinter as a houseplant or in a frost-free space.
What is the best spot for a Yucca?
The best spot is the sunniest one you have, ideally in front of a south-facing window. The Yucca handles full sun without any problem and needs plenty of light to stay compact. In a spot that is too dark the plant becomes floppy and the trunk 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 start of root rot. Let the soil dry out completely and water less often. Dry brown leaf tips are often normal, old lower leaves die off naturally and you can remove them carefully.
