How to Prune a Yucca Plant. Support wikiHow by We use cookies to make wikiHow great. You can give giving the yucca plants fertilizer 2-3 times a year for best results, though it is not required. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Make the pruning cut at the base of the stem. It is about 15 years old. Unlock expert answers by supporting wikiHow, https://www.plantdelights.com/blogs/articles/yucca-plants-tips-for-growing, http://howto.yellow.co.nz/home-garden/garden-and-outdoors/yucca-care/, https://plantcaretoday.com/yucca-plant.html, https://dengarden.com/gardening/How-to-Take-Care-of-a-Yucca-Plant, https://www.gardenershq.com/Yucca-plant.php, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. The old foliage sinks to the ground around the plant as it fades. Remove unwanted leaves from both indoor and outdoor plants, or shorten your potted yuccas. Alternatively, leave the yucca skirt on if you like how it looks, since the lower leaves don’t harm the plant. Clump division is the preferred method because although the plant is easy to grow from seeds, it often takes several years to flower. If red yucca does not have enough room to spread to its full height and width, consider transplanting it to a spot where it will have ample room to grow. Removing the leaves will bring the plant back to health. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! Step 1: Remove the yucca from the soil Remove the yucca from its container if it gets too tall. You can eat them raw or after. Yucca plants are great indoor plants, but they can grow too tall and need to be pruned to fit. Prune the yucca's flowering stem once it dries out and becomes brown and brittle. Even if you cut the plant down, surviving roots will send up new shoots. Moderate grower to 3 to 4 feet tall and wide; flower stalks to 4 to 6 feet. If your yucca plant is getting too big for its pot, you can cut it in half and replant both parts separately. Cutting away damaged leaves is especially helpful if the yucca plant is struggling. See All. After back filling and lightly compacting the 50/50 mix of existing soil and compost give the Texas Red Yucca a good deep watering. This article was co-authored by Maggie Moran. For tips on how to replant a trimmed yucca plant, read on! Red yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora) is a grass-like ornamental often grown as an accent plant in the home landscape. They are now in the community dump. Why are the leaves on my yucca plant turning brown? All Rights Reserved. Yahoo Life Videos. Well, once the flowers have faded, just prune back the flowering stalks. On my yucca there was already the beginnings of roots on the stem over the rot, like little rice corns. On my side , between my son pulling with his truck, and my digging, there is still a huge root. Can I cut the trunk and replant the top of the tree to save it? Yucca plants will shrivel and wrinkle if they do not get enough water. Each flower bud will produce a seed pod containing many flat, black seeds. Most Watched . Firstly, Red Yucca is not a real Yucca! TIP:Thurber advises, "Yucca plants grow in two forms, tree-like or in a rosette. You only need to prune the plant once a year, and only if it bloomed that year. Yuccas grow slowly and develop a trunklike stem, whereas century plants lack stems and remain a rosette of leaves. The Yucca shrub thrives in Mexico, Guatemala, Baja California, Southwestern United States, and Alberta. The plant also has white flowers you can spot from a distance. Set the halves on the sidewalk, in the grass, or on a table. It produces large, trumpet-like yellow flowers that … After your yucca blooms, cut the flower stalk about 4 inches from the end. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Here’s how to trim a red hot poker plant when you are deadheading. Red yucca, also known as hummingbird yucca, is a perennial plant valued for its large, ornamental flowers, attractive foliage, drought tolerance and ease of care. Prune any pups (small red yucca plants) growing out of the base of the yucca on the end of a thin stem. Step 2 Cut damaged and dead stems off the yucca plant, removing only the stems displaying noticeable signs of age and/or weakness. If the yucca tree does not receive enough sunlight, the leaves will start to stretch and look wilted. Pruning isn't necessary for outdoor yuccas, but you can use the same pruning method there as well. This is not to be rushed. Allowing it to dry out in between watering is okay in the wintertime. Yuccas are very modern plant to use both indoors and outside. Water the plants once every 10 days. If you kill a yucca, it's probably due to overwatering. Her work has appered in the "Houston Press" and several other publications. in history from New York University. But like yucca, it grows well in hot arid areas. To prune a yucca plant, all you’ll need is a knife or some pruning shears. All you need to do is to prune off dead flower stalks in the fall. Yuccas that grow in tree form can be pruned to cont… Similar to yucca plants, the red yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora) produces dainty bell-shaped red or dark pink flowers on the end of tall, 5-ft. (1.5 m) stems. Simply use garden scissors or pruners and snip off the stem of the plant just below a faded blossom. Yucca Desert Spoon Yucca sp. Each are pruned slightly differently. The halfway mark can be a rough estimate rather than an exact measurement. Spread a 3-inch layer of gravel mulch over the soil surrounding red yucca plants to insulate the soil, increase moisture retention and deter the growth of weeds. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. The older plant is sort of on the border line of properties. While pruning is not required for yucca plants, it helps the plant stay in great health all year. Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania. Start by trimming the leaves at the bottom, which are known as the yucca skirt. Water your plants again in about 10 days to 2 weeks. The tough beauty – Red Yucca. This article has been viewed 72,900 times. You can cut these leaves away as desired. The appearance of the yucca fruit varies by the type of yucca plant. But Where Does Yucca Grow? It grows well. Purchase gravel and potting soil at a home supply or garden store. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, Backyard Gardener; Red Yucca; Jeff Schalau; July 2002, Fine Gardening: Hesperaloe Parviflora (Red Yucca), Arizona Cooperative Extension, Yavapai County: Backyard Gardener: Red Yucca: Drought Tolerant and Colorful, Arizona State University: Hesperaloe Parviflora, University of California at Davis Arboretum: Arboretum All-Stars: Hesperaloe Parviflora. So, now that the misleading common name is fully exposed, perhaps there should be a move to more correctly call this plant the “Rose-Coral Yucca Imposter”. Make sure you use well-draining potting soil. Cut off the lower leaves with a blade if you want to remove its "skirt. " When the roots were half a cm I potted it. Red yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora) is a grass-like ornamental often grown as an accent plant in the home landscape. unlocking this expert answer. I have done this successfully. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 72,900 times. Dry, old leaves Instructions. Leave as little stump as possible. In What Type of Soil Should You Plant a Yucca? Yucca trees are low maintenance and easily adaptable, making them widely popular houseplants. Butler began blogging, editing and writing in 2000. Consider using cacti and palm soil blends, though they are not required. Yucca is a perennial shrub characterized by its robust, sword-shaped leaves. Yucca plants grow in parts of the Caribbean, in the southern and southwestern parts of the United States and in Mexico’s desert highlands and plateaus. She has an A.A. in journalism and a B.A. You essentially get an additional plant for free if you cut them and replant both! "I trimmed my outdoor yucca plants as you suggested, and they look great with a healthy look.". Based in Houston, Texas, Meg Butler is a professional farmer, house flipper and landscaper. Once they bloom, you can cut them immediately or wait for the flowers to fade. Snip off dead or winter-damaged foliage from the interior of the plant with hand pruners. Yucca leaves are often sharp. Make your cuts as close as possible to the yucca's trunk. When not busy learning about homes and appliances she's sharing that knowledge. Although the plant typically spreads on its own through self-seeding, it is grown from seeds or propagated by clump division. blooming. Make the pruning cut at the very base of the stem. Over time, most species of yucca will grow into room-devouring monsters, but this takes long enough that they provide years of durabl… A general rule of thumb is to count to 5 for every one gallon of pot size. Remove any dried flower spikes at their base in winter. Yucca plants can live in all seasons and many climate zones. Yes, the new shoots are very hardy. My yucca has root rot. Think twice about cutting the top off a yucca plant, as it can create a rather ugly plant for a few years. Stop removing leaves about halfway up the tree or when you like the way the yucca looks. Touch the soil on top to determine when it needs to be watered. However, prune the old flower stalks in summer. Despite what its name suggests, Red yucca is not a true yucca. Dividing yuccas to control their growth works on the same principle. Remove any dead or damaged leaves by hand at the end of summer, gently plucking them off the plant. Prune the yucca's flowering stem once it dries out and becomes brown and brittle. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Do not “pineapple” prune Ocotillo Fouquieria splendens Do not prune. Always wear gloves and safety glasses when cutting the yucca plants. When it comes to low-maintenance plants, red yucca is first on the list. Purchase a container at a home and garden store. If your indoor yucca does eventually outgrow its space, it can be cut back in early spring. With just the occasional prune, Yuccas are very easy to look after and strike new plants from. Prune any pups (small red yucca plants) growing out of the base of the yucca on the end of a thin stem. Any ideas greatly appreciated. Seed grown. Can I just cut them off and not damage the main trunk? By using our site, you agree to our. Dried flower stalks can be removed. Red or yellow yucca Hesperaloe parviflora Pruning is not recommended. References. It looks like bamboo in the mess. And, like most drought-hardy plants, red yucca will need virtually no pruning during its lifetime. And secondly, the flowers are not really red either. This can be done by simply cutting off the top section of a trunk or stem. Red yucca prefers full sun, but can take part shade. This way, you avoid any cross contamination. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. I shoveled about 15 out. since it only has to care for healthy leaves once the others have been cut Prune the red yucca's flower heads once they brown and die. A hardy plant that is drought- and cold-tolerant, red yucca sports grassy, clumping foliage and bright flowers that bring color and texture to the landscape. If you want to harvest the seed, wait until the pods dry completely on the plant, then cut off the entire stalk and break the pods open to collect the seeds. Your pot should easily fit the roots of your plant and have some extra room for it to grow. Last Updated: February 20, 2020 The lopped off top section can be re-potted as well, but again, success can be unreliable. Pruning the trees helps promote and control their growth. Yucca Soil. This article was co-authored by Maggie Moran. Make sure the plant is straight and centered in its new pot. New offsets should begin to form at the cut section. Pruning isn’t necessary for outdoor yuccas, though it makes for an easy way to keep it from completely overpowering the yard. Keep in mind the best time to prune yuccas is in the early spring, so you can also choose to trim your plants then if you'd like. Yucca plants are easy to grow and don’t require much water. Tall spikes hold deep rose-pink flowers almost year-round; effective plant for rock garden, landscape accent, or in containers. Plant in an area that will accommodate mature size. Yucca plants develop a “skirt” of lower leaves much like palms trees. With the branches and stems removed, use a shovel to dig a hole about 3 feet around the stump and 3 to 4 feet deep into the ground to cover the yucca’s large root network. If over-watered, the leaves will die or become discolored. The red yucca plant is drought tolerant and is suitable for planting in borders, containers, and Mediterranean gardens. You can still cut away damaged or dying leaves. "Yucca plants are hardy perennials, and it is often very difficult to get rid of them completely. Remember that the best time to prune your yucca is in the spring prior to the growing season, since pruning helps control their growth. Because they have an extensive root system, it is virtually impossible to remove the entire network. If you have children or pets, pick a location away from their play area. Reach into the center of the red yucca plant with long-handled loppers, and cut the flower spike off at the base when the flower has faded. The Yucca plant, when kept as a houseplant, needs to be watered moderately during its growth period in spring and summer and sparingly during its resting period in fall and winter. Dasylirion wheeleri No pruning needed. You may prune before the plant blooms, though yucca trees are most commonly pruned after they bloom. Make the pruning cut just below the flower head. During the winter, cut back on the moisture for your yucca soil in between each watering. The yellow yucca plant is closely related to the red yucca plant. You can also transplant the plant into a larger pot if you don't want to cut it. One way of propagating yuccas is to cut the rhizomes with baby plants from the main root. Prune the yucca plant in the late summer when it has finished blooming and the flowers are dead. Wear long-sleeved clothing and gloves to protect yourself. You can tell your plant has outgrown its pot when the root is not far from the outer edge of your pot. But you can help your red yucca maintain its ornamental beauty by making a few pruning cuts during the growing season. For tips on how to replant a trimmed yucca plant, read on! Make sure that you are still providing your plant with cooler temperatures, just not freezing. As far as houseplants go, yucca probably eclipsed by the similar-looking Dracaena genus, which is often mistaken for yucca. Pruning yucca plants is a quick and simple process. Get the proven playbook to heal a broken heart. Some resemble a green egg plant, and others look like wrinkled bell peppers. % of people told us that this article helped them. Yuccas may be easily confused with century plants (Agave spp. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/87\/Prune-Yucca-Plants-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Prune-Yucca-Plants-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/87\/Prune-Yucca-Plants-Step-1.jpg\/aid9800239-v4-728px-Prune-Yucca-Plants-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"