Growing yuccas is incredibly easy to do. They require very little maintenance and are being used increasingly in contemporary gardens. However, if you prefer a more traditional garden, don't be concerned; there is always a place for yuccas. This article should help you with how to grow yuccas better.
Yucca elephantipes is a commonly grown yucca and is also known as either the spineless or soft tipped yucca. This article will focus mostly around this variety, but most details will apply to most yuccas.
What Climate is best when growing yuccas?
Yuccas can tolerate quite cold conditions; sometimes as low as -10 degrees celsius. More commonly though, they do prefer hot and dry conditions.
They do not like a lot of water, so if you live in an area that is usually subjected to high rainfall, then you will need to plan how to minimise the impact of this on the plant. High humidity can promote fungal disease and wet roots and lead to root rot.
What soil do yuccas prefer?
Yuccas need a fast draining soil. This is necessary in order to minimise the risk of root rot. Therefore, if your soil is clay, you will need to break up the clay into a more friable soil. Sandy soils work well with yuccas.
Do yuccas require fertilizing?
When growing yuccas, fertilize them rarely. But when you do fertilize, utilise a diluted potassium rich fertilizer. It is unlikely that it will be necessary to fertilize more than once or twice a year - their natural environment is quite sandy and low in nutrients.
What pests and diseases affect yuccas
Snails and slugs may attack new growth, but generally, yuccas do not suffer much from many pests. In addition to this, fungal diseases such as rust and mildew can affect yuccas, but are typically uncommon. Fungal diseases should be treated using an organic fungicide - see here for some organic fungicide recipes. Also, due to the structure of the leaves, most pests can be easily washed off with soapy water.
How to care for yuccas
Prune your yuccas to size and shape as required. But, ensure that you do not throw out the prunings. Yucca cuttings are very easy to propagate and can save much money when it comes to the purchase of new plants.
If you live in a cold region that is subject to frost, a layer of mulch can be used to minimise the impact on this on the roots of the yucca.
