Houseplant of the month December: Yucca

Tags:
Houseplant of the month December: Yucca

A houseplant that looks striking all year round thrives on neglect and is easy to grow: Yucca. What more could you ask? Yuccas make great houseplants, looking rather like indoor palm trees with their bare stems and rosettes of long leaves. Although mature Yuccas can eventually reach a height of several metres, they are very slow-growing and will live happily in pots for a long time.

Types of Yucca

There are more than twenty different species of Yucca, but the two most commonly grown indoors are Yucca guatamalensis (previously called Yucca elephantipes), and Yucca alifolia. Both have long, sword-shaped leaves, but the leaves of Yucca alifolia are stiff and tipped with very sharp spines. Yucca guatamalensis leaves are softer and arching, with no spines.

NB: Yucca leaves contain saponins, which are toxic to cats and dogs if eaten.

How to grow Yucca plants

Yuccas do best in bright but indirect light. In winter, a sunny, south-facing window is ideal. In summer, provide some light shading to protect the leaves from the hot midday sun, or move the plant to the west- or east-facing window.

Yuccas don’t need a particularly fertile growing medium, but it must be free-draining, while still being heavy enough to hold the plant securely. A mixture of 1 part sand to 3 parts multipurpose compost is ideal.

How to care for a Yucca plant

Yuccas are very easy to care for – simply follow these tips:

  • Don’t overwater. Yuccas are desert plants, so are very drought tolerant, and overwatering may kill them. In summer, wait until the top half of the compost in your container is dry before watering. Water very sparingly in winter. Never leave the plant sitting in water.
  • In spring and summer, feed monthly with a general houseplant food diluted to half-strength.
  • Yuccas will naturally grow towards the light, so turn indoor plants regularly to keep them from getting lopsided.
  • Yuccas do not need regular pruning, but if a plant is getting too tall, cut it back in spring, reducing the height by half.

How to propagate Yucca plants

Yuccas can be propagated easily from offsets. These are shoots that appear at the base of the plant. Remove them in spring when the plant is starting to grow, cutting each offset off at the point where it joins the main plant. Leave the offsets out to dry for a few days, then push the bases into a mix of compost and coarse horticultural sand. Please place them in a propagator with a bottom heat of 18ºC (65ºF), or cover them with a clear plastic bag and put them somewhere bright and warm, out of direct sunlight. Don’t water for the first couple of weeks, until the shoots have developed roots.

If you’re after a big, bold indoor plant to brighten up a room, come and visit our centre and choose from our fantastic range of houseplants. You’re sure to find the perfect plant for you.

You might also be interested in:

We want to introduce you to a winter standout: the Gaultheria.

Read More

 

Discover why the Christmas star is so special and how you can fully enjoy its beauty in your home.

Read More

The holiday season is upon us, and there's no better way to infuse your home with festive cheer than crafting your Christmas wreath.

Read More

After years of growing his hair, Leo has decided it’s time for him to cut his long locks, and try and raise as much money as he can for The Little Princess Charity, whilst also donating his hair.

Read More