Yucca, plant care and growing guide

yucca-plant care and growing guide

Yucca spp. is a genus of perennials in the family Asparagaceae, which grows in the form of trees and shrubs. They originate in the arid areas of North and South America and the Caribbean. It includes about 40-50 species, which is characterized by a rich rosette of green leaves, lanceolate, and a long panicle, with more or less white flowers.

Species and varieties

Yucca elephantipes is used as an indoor plant due to its supple leaves and thick trunk. In optimal growing conditions, it can reach a height of 1.2 m.

Yucca aloifolia is also an indoor plant, it has a strong and straight trunk, at the top of which there is a rosette of lanceolate leaves, with slightly serrated edges. It is a kind of indoor plant that can produce flowers in summer.

Yucca filamentosa is a species that can grow in gardens and parks in some countries with a temperate continental transitioning into an oceanic climate. It has no trunk and has the shape of a bush, made up of a rosette of long, sharp, filamentous, green-blue leaves. It differs from other species by the white, filiform filaments on the edges of the leaves. From the middle of the bush starts a long panicle with white, pendant flowers, which bloom in July-August.

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Environmental condition

Light. Yucca is a light-loving plant, so it should be placed in a space with plenty of sunlight.

Temperature. It can withstand moderate temperatures, ranging from 10-30° C. In winter it should be kept in a cool room at a temperature of 10° C. It has maximum longevity of 15 years if kept in the house. It grows well in the apartment. In summer, it is recommended to spray the leaves weekly with water.

Substrate. Yucca prefers a substrate made up of peat, garden soil, and sand, in equal parts.

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Watering

From spring to autumn, it should be watered every 5-7 days, when the first 5 cm of the substrate has dried. In winter, during the dormancy period, it should be watered less frequently, every 10-12 days. Excessive humidity can cause fungal diseases.

Fertilization

During May-September, it is recommended to administer a fertilizer for green plants, every 15 days. Fertilizer sticks for potted plants can also be used. From autumn to spring it is not recommended to administer fertilizer to help the plant enter dormancy.

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Repotting

It can be performed after purchasing the plant, if the pot is not stable or if the substrate is not suitable. Otherwise, it can be repotted once every 2-4 years, when the pot becomes too small or can no longer support the plant.

Pruning

Shape correction prunings should be done in spring, before the beginning of the growing period. The resulting wounds have to be covered with mastic.

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Read carefully and follow the instructions on the label of each product
Propagation

Propagation can be done in spring, by division, or through cuttings, which have reached a length of 15-20 cm.

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Read carefully and follow the instructions on the label of each product

Diseases and pests

Yucca can be affected by powdery mildew or root rot if it’s watered too often. The pests that can sometimes infest the plants are aphids, mites, and mealybugs.

In addition:
  • during the summer, for a vigorous growth, it is recommended to take it out on the balcony.
  • from time to time the leaves at the base fall, but it is a normal process related to the aging of the plant.
  • along with repotting, it is also recommended to replace the substrate.
  • insufficient light can cause the leaves to discolor.
  • symptoms of wilting of the plant are often due to excessive watering.
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