Yucca plant care: watering, pruning & repotting

Yucca plants are low-maintenance and rewarding, but they do need a little care and possibly some pruning now and then. Discover our top yucca plant care tips.

Yuccas (Yucca) are wonderful, easy-care, indoor plants that require little more than watering and the occasional pruning. They are part of the subfamily Agavoideae and are native to the arid regions of North and Central America. Read on to find out how to care for yuccas, including tips on pruning and repotting a yucca plant.

Where to plant yuccas

Yuccas are mostly kept as decorative houseplants in the UK, with the giant yucca (Yucca elephantipes) species being particularly popular. There are also various yucca species that do well outdoors in regions with colder winters, including the Roman candle (Yucca gloriosa) and the common yucca (Yucca filamentosa).

As these plants are native to sunny regions, they need plenty of light. The ideal place for an indoor yucca is by a window. Yuccas that are kept outdoors need a warm place protected from wind. Thus, the south-facing side of a house is perfect for these heat tolerant plants. Yucca plants do not tolerate waterlogging, so opt for a well-drained and nutrient-rich substrate. In a pinch, you can loosen the soil and improve drainage by mixing in a little sand.

Yucca plant care

Both indoors and outdoors, yucca plants require very little maintenance. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about yucca care.

Watering yuccas

Yuccas are desert plants that are adapted to surviving on very little water. Therefore, watering them too much will harm them. Waterlogging causes these plants to develop root rot and drop leaves. An underwatered yucca is always better than an overwatered yucca, so when it comes to watering yuccas, less is more.

Fertilising yuccas

The same rule applies to fertilising yucca plants. For yuccas planted out in the garden, simply incorporate a bit of compost into the soil once a year. Indoor potted yuccas also benefit from some fertiliser from time to time. We can recommend our Plantura Liquid Houseplant Food, or alternatively, diluted liquid nettle fertiliser.

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Diseases can also cause problems for yucca plants. Find out what to do about disease symptoms such as yellow leaves on yuccas here.

Repotting yuccas

Repotting a yucca plant is a useful way to provide the plant with fresh, nutrient-rich soil while also giving the roots more space. Change the pot and soil about every two years in spring when the roots can be seen peeking out from the bottom of their pot. Even if the roots have not outgrown their space in two years, offer them fresh, well-drained and nutrient-rich soil – your yucca will thank you!

The most important points for yucca plant care:

• Water sparingly and avoid waterlogging
• Fertilise moderately
• Repot every two years; new substrate is important

When & how to prune yuccas

Although yuccas may shed excess leaves, the occasional trim can be beneficial.

When to prune a yucca plant

Yuccas do not require pruning, but thinning out the leaves can encourage healthy growth. If your indoor potted yucca has outgrown its space, reaching for the scissors (or saw) can also help. We suggest pruning in spring or early summer to allow the plant enough time to recover before winter.

How to prune a yucca plant

When pruning a yucca, use sterile cutting tools to avoid infection. Yuccas can tolerate severe pruning and resprout quickly. Depending on what your plant needs, either remove individual leaves or cut off parts of the stem. Wear gloves when removing individual leaves, as they can be quite sharp. Remove any wilted, yellow, and overhanging leaves at their base. For radical pruning, use a saw to cut the trunk cleanly, and then seal it with tree wax. You can use healthy plant parts that have been pruned away (even leafless parts of the stem) as cuttings to propagate new yucca plants.