The yucca plant is a hardy and long-lasting shrub. In fact, there are many species of yucca, but even though they vary in size and color, they will survive hot and dry climates and can be cared for in the same way. This plant is easiest to grow from stem cuttings, although it can still be grown from seed. This plant can be planted in a flower pot or outdoors, either directly in the garden or in the space provided.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Growing Yucca from Seed
Step 1. Wait a few months for the plant to start germinating
Yucca seeds are very slow to germinate, and many species have low success rates when grown from seed. Yucca seeds even take a full year after planting to germinate.
For a faster process, perform cuttings from mature yucca plants. This method will be described in the next section
Step 2. Begin this process in winter or early spring (if you live in a country with 4 seasons)
Indoor-grown yucca seeds should be started in winter to give them as much time as possible to germinate before the next winter arrives. If you are growing yucca directly in the soil, instead of following this more effective method, plant them in early spring.
Step 3. Plant the seeds in a damp paper towel in a plastic container
Fill the container with water until it reaches a height of about 6 mm. Place a paper towel over the water, then place the seeds on the paper towel. This method will increase the chances of the seeds to survive until germination. Planting yucca seeds directly in the soil has a very low success rate.
Step 4. Keep the seeds moist at 18-24ºC
Keep the temperature of the container at room temperature. Add a little water regularly to prevent the seeds from drying out and becoming dormant.
Step 5. When the seeds finally germinate, prepare a flower pot with a special mixed soil
Some seeds will eventually germinate, but this will only take about a month to a full year. When the seeds are open and starting to germinate, prepare a separate small flowerpot with a mixture of 1 part sand to one part compost. If these materials are not available, use another loose soil mixture, usually with 30% more sand or small gravel.
Step 6. Plant the seeds 1.25 cm deep in water
Plant the seeds that have germinated, with the sprouts facing up, to a depth of 1.25 cm below the surface of the soil. Cover with soil and water thoroughly.
Step 7. Store the shoots in a place that is not exposed to direct sunlight and do not water them too often
Allow the first watering to dry, then water regularly to keep the soil moist, but not soaked by water. You should be able to see shoots starting to grow out of the soil within a week.
Step 8. Keep the plant indoors for about 2 years, then move it to a larger flowerpot from time to time
The yucca plant may not be sturdy enough to live outdoors for at least 2 or 3 years. Keep it indoors for now, or forever. Transfer the yucca to a larger pot if the roots start to creep out. Once the yucca is 2 or 3 years old, you can plant it outside in the spring. Follow the instructions for growing yucca outdoors in the next section.
When transplanting yucca, make sure you dig deep enough to expose the single roots. This long single root can grow very long in some yucca species
Part 2 of 4: Performing Stem Cuttings
Step 1. Make cuttings from mature stems
After several years of growth, the yucca plant will produce branches near the base that grow on its own trunk. During the cooler, less active seasons, choose trunks with dark brown bark instead of young, cream-colored trunks. Cut off this part of the stem.
The length and thickness of the plant cuttings do not really matter. A cut of 7, 5-10 cm is enough
Step 2. Remove the leaves at the bottom of the stem
Use a clean knife or shears to trim the leaves closest to the base (leaving the leaves at the top). With fewer leaves, the cuttings will go through less extreme humidity changes, which will increase their chances of surviving the transplant until roots can grow.
Step 3. Dry the stems
Place the plant cuttings in a cool, protected area. This will allow the plant to dry out a bit, encouraging the roots to grow in search of moisture. After 4-7 days, these plant cuttings will be ready for planting.
Step 4. Fill loose soil into a small pot
Choose a pot with drainage holes in the bottom. Fill the pot with mixed soil for growing cactus or yucca, or make your own quick-drying soil. 2 parts soil mix for seeds and one part sand will provide nutrients for young plants without making the soil too wet.
Do not use beach sand because beach sand contains a high salt content. Sand from the river can usually be used
Step 5. Press the stem into the ground
Press the stem to a sufficient depth in the soil to keep it firm and upright. Often times, you will need to use a soft rope or other soft rope material to attach the rod to another object to keep it upright.
Step 6. Place the plant indoors in an area that is not exposed to direct sunlight
Start growing this plant indoors to protect it from cold night temperatures and sudden strong winds. Place it near a window, but avoid direct sunlight while the roots and leaves are still growing.
Step 7. Transfer the yucca plant to the garden once the roots have sprouted
Roots are usually fully grown in 6 weeks. You may be able to see roots creeping out of the drainage holes, but if the plant looks healthy, you can assume that the yucca roots have grown.
- Continue to the next section when you are ready to move the yucca.
- If roots fail to grow, you can still try stem cuttings from larger, more mature yucca plants.
Part 3 of 4: Growing Yucca Outdoors
Step 1. Make sure your plants can survive in the climate you live in
There are a variety of Hardiness zones (geographically defined vertical zones with specific categories in which the plant can live) suitable for growing yucca according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), namely from zones 4 to 11 (minimum winter temperature is -34 to -4º C, depending on the species). Zones 9 to 11 (-7 to -4º C are usually safer if you don't really know the species of yucca you're growing. If you live in a higher or lower zone, it's best to talk to your gardener or staff first an experienced florist to identify the yucca species you are growing and find out in which zones it can live.
Step 2. Plant the yucca in late spring
Yucca will grow during the warm summer months. Planting yucca in the early dry season or summer will provide a long time to grow.
Step 3. Choose a location that receives full sun
Your plants need a hot, dry environment, so give them access to direct sunlight. Certain yucca species can live in cooler or shady locations, but not many, and can usually survive in full sun.
If the plant is being kept in a shady location, consider moving the pot to an area out of direct sunlight for a week before moving it into full sun. This will give your plant time to adapt, thereby reducing the chances of the plant burning and wilting
Step 4. Prepare the pebbles and pebbles (optional)
Yucca roots and seeds can spread throughout your garden, so if you want to control their growth, you'll need to dig a big hole and fill it with rocks. Put gravel on top of the rock to keep the yucca roots dry, prevent rot, and is recommended for areas with severe rainy seasons.
The depth of the hole required is about 30 cm and is wider than that of a yucca plant
Step 5. Form a box on the stone base (optional)
If you are making a stone base, build a wooden wall around the yucca planting area to collect the soil that will form a terraced base on top of the rock. Nail a 1 m x 30 cm plank in a square frame to be placed around the stone base. You can point this mat in direct sunlight. (Tilt towards the south for the southern hemisphere, and vice versa).
In addition to the wooden planks, you can use two dozen large 30.5 cm (30.5 cm) rocks around the stone base to create a wall. This method will require more effort, but will provide additional drainage
Step 6. Prepare the soil
Yucca needs quick-drying soil to prevent root rot. Use a potting soil mix for cactus or yucca, or use your own soil mix with 3 parts light clay, 4 parts sand, and 1 part regular soil. If you are preparing a terraced plinth, this soil is placed inside a wooden or stone wall. Or, just prepare this land for later.
Step 7. Dig a hole for the yucca
The hole dug should be twice as wide and deeper than the yucca root. A hole slightly larger than the pot in which the yucca is planted is sufficient if you are not sure how big the roots of the yucca are.
Step 8. Place the yucca in the soil with the prepared soil around it
Gently pry the yucca out of the pot. Roll the pot over, then grasp the yucca by the base of the stem and gently “rock it” until it separates from the soil. Place the yucca into the newly dug hole. Fill the hole with mixed soil and press the soil around the base of the stem to strengthen the plant. Yucca roots should not come to the surface.
Step 9. Cover the ground with 5 cm thick granite chips
These chips will keep the roots dry by preventing water from accidentally hitting the roots.
Part 4 of 4: Caring for Yucca
Step 1. Provide occasional fertilizer
Use a fertilizer that is water soluble and rich in potassium. Dilute the fertilizer in a ratio of about 1 part fertilizer to 4 parts water. Give for once a month in the morning during the dry season. Provide fertilizer at most twice during the rainy season, fall, and winter.
Only provide fertiliser more quickly if your yucca is an easy-to-grow species. Most yucca species grow slowly and can harm the plant if over-fertilized
Step 2. Water occasionally
Most yuccas can survive without additional water by relying solely on rainwater to survive. When the leaves start to grow in the dry season, you can water them weekly by providing just enough water to moisten the soil without making it wet to the touch.
Reduce the frequency of watering if your yucca plant looks brown at the tips with a yellow ring around it. This is a sign that the yucca has been given too much water
Step 3. Check for pests on the plant
Yuccas don't invite many pests, but snails and slugs without shells will attack newly grown yuccas. Use standard or organic pesticides to get rid of pests. Aphids can be washed with soapy water.
Step 4. Watch for fungal diseases on plants
Rust and downy mildew are common yucca ailments. Spraying a fungicide can help get rid of plant diseases, especially downy mildew, but fungicides can work or fail to eradicate rust.
Step 5. Prune the plant if needed
Some yucca plants grow in rosettes and form a central flower stalk. Other yucca varieties grow tall as trees. The plant can be pruned to direct its growth, but always wear gloves and eye protection as yucca splinters can fly off the ground when pruned. For any type of yucca, cut off dead, wilted leaves from the base whenever you see them.
Step 6. Add a layer of mulch on top of the soil each winter
Yucca plants can be damaged by direct exposure to snow. Spreading a thick layer of mulch can keep the plant warm and dry. However, remove the leaves at the bottom to prevent rot.
You can also protect plants by placing glass or plexiglass on top of the soil in addition to using mulch
Tips
Plant the yucca with other plants that live in dry places. Butterfly weed, millipede, and tall-bearded iris are all good options to consider
Things Needed
- Sharp knife or scissors
- Small pot
- Big stone or wooden plank (optional)
- Gravel
- Granite stone
- Loose and dry soil
- Small shovel
- Fertilizer
- Pesticide
- Fungicide
- Watering plant
- Mulch
- Glass
