How much light your yucca plant needs Despite being a desert plant, indoor yucca plants don’t want the sun blaring down on them all day, which can actually burn their leaves. Unlike other Yucca varieties, the leaves are spineless. Your Yucca Cane will thrive in bright indirect light. Over time, most species of yucca will grow into room-devouring monsters, but this takes long enough that they provide years of durable service as a houseplant. . Check the moisture in the soil surrounding each yucca plant that has yellow leaves. The direct sunlight coming through other windows isn’t as intense and doesn’t last long enough. For major spotted mite infestations, apply an acaracide pesticide, following all of the pesticide package's safety and application instructions. Wet, soggy soil can cause root rot, which results in dying, yellow leaves. Reduce watering the yuccas if their soil feels wet. For best results, plant yuccas in sandy soil and don’t use organic mulch. Suitable for growing in hot, dry, and coastal regions, it can survive through snowy winters as well. In the early stages of overwatering, simply cutting back on watering and letting the plant and soil dry out is sufficient. The scientific name is Yucca elephantipes, and they have sharp, spear-shaped projections, which radiate from the central stalk. Yucca is a genus of highly drought-tolerant evergreen perennials that grow either as shrubs or small trees, requiring minimum care. Yucca elephantipes is the most popular Yucca to grow indoors and a great choice if you’re looking for a hardy houseplant! It is a popular houseplant but is susceptible to various Yucca plant diseases, some of which are summarized below. Wiping down the leaves with a damp cloth every two or three days removes the mites, or you can try putting them in the shower under a gentle spray for a few minutes. Unlike other Yucca varieties, the leaves are spineless. Yucca Plant - UK Cold Hardy and Colourful The Yucca is a plant that has distinctive strap or sword like leaves, you have probably seen Yucca elephantipes (Spineless Yucca) in garden centres being sold as a houseplant. Hi Marion, Yellow leaves on a Yucca usually indicate the plants needs a little more water, especially if the yellow leaves are on the bottom. Wait until the soil feels completely dry a couple of inches (around 5 cm.) Light – Another reason for yellow leaves on yucca plants is poor sunlight. Treat spotted mite-infected yuccas by washing the webs from their leaves with a damp rag every three to five days. Yuccas are grown for their ornamental evergreen, sword-shaped leaves and large panicles of white or creamy-white flowers in late summer and autumn. Wiping down the leaves with a damp cloth every two or three days removes the mites, or you can try putting them in the shower under a gentle spray for a few minutes. Keep yucca in a room where the daytime temperature are between 22.2 and 27.8 degrees Celsius, and about -12.2 degrees C lower during the nighttime, as sudden temperature changes can cause the leaves to turn yellow. Water thoroughly and then go back to regular Yucca plant care. In most cases, you can Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Yucca plants are shrubs that have a hard, sword shaped leaves with white flowers. If you notice the tiny red mites on your plant, take your potted yucca outdoors or into the shower and spray well, including the underside of the leaves. Yucca plant: You will find The Ultimate Care Guide and why Your Yucca leaves curling. It can tolerate lower light areas but will grow much slower. Yucca filamentosa, Yucca flaccida and Yucca gloriosa are among the hardiest and commonly grown outside in the garden. Yucca elephantipes (syn. They have thick woody stems that bear, at their upper ends, clusters of long, dark-green, spear-shaped leaves. As soon as the roots are long enough, you can repot the new plant and put it in a new soil mix. If the leaf doesn't pull off easily, trim it close to the main stalk or plant base with a sharp knife. This article tells you how to save a yellowing yucca. Yucca plants are hardy desert plants that tolerate a wide range of soil conditions and growing environments, but a number of factors cause its leaves to turn brown. Yucca Elephantipes, Leaves Curling DownwardCreated OnAugust 30, 2017byKARadmin17 You are here: KB Home Yucca Elephantipes, Leaves Curling Downward < BackQuestion: I’ve had my yucca plant for 12 years now. Yucca gigantean, Yucca guatemalensis) has long, sword-like, yellow-green, arching leaves, which grow in a rosette from the top of a bare trunk. Pests – Indoor yuccas often suffer from spider mites, which can cause discolored leaves. Transplant the yuccas to a site where the soil drains better if their current location's soil drains poorly or collects water during rainfalls. As with most species of outdoor yuccas, care is essential when handling the plants as they have sharp, cutting edges leaves with pointed tips. Unlike other Yucca varieties, the leaves are spineless. Yuccas may trick you into thinking you have found the perfect indoor location by turning dark green. Age – The lower leaves on a yucca plant yellow naturally as they age. Since Christmas, the yucca is now proudly sitting in our living room (by the window) which lets in a lot of natural light (albeit winter means about 8-10 hrs daylight where we are). How to Care for Yucca Plants Indoors Originally found growing across the Americas and parts of the Caribbean, the Yucca Plant is accustomed to conditions that are of the drier, more unfertile kind. Water – A common cause of yellow yucca leaves is too much water. Inspect the underside of the yucca leaves for webs, which are left by spotted mite pests. Promptly diagnosing the cause and managing it helps to bring yellowing yuccas back to good health. Plant yuccas where they can experience the direct rays of the sun all day. If surrounding plants grow enough to begin shading the yucca, cut the surrounding plants back or move the yucca to a better location. It's natural for some yucca leaves to yellow, but severe yellowing may indicate a problem. Larger forms gradually loose the lower leaves … Too much or too little sun, or improper feeding or watering can result in unusual symptoms. Sign up for our newsletter. Most yuccas grow well in U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 10 and below. ... Care lacking in any of these departments can cause leaves to turn yellow and/or brown. Trim off the dead foliage after the weather warms and the plant begins new growth. 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If necessary, use a sharp knife to remove the discolored leaves. The yucca most commonly available as an indoor plant in New Zealand is the Yucca Elephantipes. Begin the transplanting process by digging around a yucca plant's roots carefully and lifting the entire plant from the site. Extreme conditions are no problem for a yucca plant. Genus Yucca can be evergreen perennials, shrubs or trees, with dense or loose rosettes of stiff, sword-shaped leaves and tall panicles of bell-shaped flowers Details Y. elephantipes is a large, upright shrub or small tree with several trunks growing from near ground level, sparsely branched. When exposed to direct sunlight for too long, the leaves will yellow and burn. You may think that setting your indoor yucca in a sunny window is enough for indoor yuccas, but it depends on the window. Most yellow foliage on yuccas is caused by improper cultural care, although some diseases and pests can cause the yellowing. below the surface before watering the pot. Previously, she owned her own business, selling handmade items online, wholesale and at crafts fairs. Yuccas planted in ground outdoors rarely require supplemental water, and potted yuccas need water only when their soil is almost completely dry. Grasp a dead leaf with a gloved hand, and pull the leaf gently. It started out with 3 trunks in one pot and now I only have 1 left. Her published articles have appeared in various print and online publications. If you notice signs of root rot—yellow leaves, soft stems, or leaning stems—repot your Yucca elephantipes in fresh, sterile potting soil. Check the moisture in the soil surrounding each yucca plant that has yellow leaves. As far as houseplants go, yucca probably eclipsed by the similar-looking Dracaena genus, which is often mistaken for yucca. Yucca gigantean, Yucca guatemalensis) has long, sword-like, yellow-green, arching leaves, which grow in a rosette from the top of a bare trunk. Lifestyle Yellowing leaves Yellow yucca leaves are an issue most commonly attributed to overwatering. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! If you want to mulch for a neater appearance, use gravel or stones. Yucca Elephantipes/Spineless Some fungi can cause yellow spots of yuccas, but those issues typically solve themselves if you avoid overwatering the plants. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. A period of cold or freezing weather can cause yellowed, dead foliage on some yuccas. Only water the yucca when the soil dries out. In most cases, you can simply pull the yellowed leaves off with a gentle tug. Yucca plants (Yucca spp.) Whether you grow it indoors or out, one plant that thrives in the face of neglect is the yucca plant. They are, however, interesting and slow-growing houseplants that have the added benefit of being extremely drought tolerant. Our guide goes over plenty of general Yucca-based knowledge but is particularly geared towards the popular indoor Yucca Elephantipes variety. Are Yucca Elephantipes Plants Toxic? Twisted yucca is also named Texas yucca, rock yucca, and twisted-leaf yucca. This is actually a desperate attempt to take advantage of the little sunlight it receives, and the leaves soon begin to yellow when the food production can’t keep up with the plant’s needs. Age – The lower leaves on a yucca plant yellow naturally as they age. Harrington's specialties include small business information, crafting, decorating and gardening. Attempts at pampering this sturdy plant may result in a yucca plant leaves turning yellow. If you water the plant regularly or plant it in soil that doesn’t drain freely, the roots begin to rot. Plant the yucca in a slightly sandy, well-drained area at the same depth it was planted previously. Yellowing leaves might indicate that you are trying too hard. Known variously as the Spineless Yucca, Spanish Dagger, Adam’s Needle, Spanish Bayonet and Soapweed yuccas are hardy perennials that generally range from 30 cm to 2.5 meters in height. Problems and Pests of Agave, Aloe, Cactus and Yucca; University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, Fine Gardening: Plant Guide -- Genus Yucca. When you keep yuccas indoors, the best way to keep moisture to a minimum is to keep them in small pots. Moisture Providing proper soil moisture (or lack of moisture) is important in South-facing windows are the best. Remove dead yellow foliage at its base. Keep a yucca healthy to avoid the appearance of unattractive brown leaves on the plant. Jenny Harrington has been a freelance writer since 2006. Yucca gigantean, Yucca guatemalensis) has long, sword-like, yellow-green, arching leaves, which grow in a rosette from the top of a bare trunk. Indoor Yucca Plant, Yucca Elephantipes Tree - How to Grow, Care, … Yucca, like many species, require exacting conditions for optimal health. Tip: Spider mites are a common problem with indoor yuccas as well. Yucca can be evergreen perennials, shrubs or trees, with dense or loose rosettes of stiff, sword-shaped leaves and tall panicles of bell-shaped flowers. Under the right conditions, yucca is not difficult to gro… If you kill a yucca, it's probably due to overwatering. require very little care to thrive and are resistant to many problems. Completely yellow or brown leaves If you are pretty good with houseplants this will be rare Care issues. A spray of dish soap and water will control bugs and mites. From time to time, water your Yucca babies. The tallest of the Yuccas, Yucca elephantipes (Spineless Yucca) is a large, upright succulent shrub or small tree boasting several sparsely branched trunks that thicken over time and resemble an elephant's foot. 6. Large pots hold lots of moisture, and it takes a long time for a large pot to dry out between waterings. If your yucca is overwatered, you might notice that it has generally yellow leaves, root rot, or a trunk that feels spongy. Most yucca varieties require little water and are generally happy with a generous weekly watering in summer and a decent monthly watering in the cooler months. I water about every 3-4 weeks during summer and definitely only once a month during winter months. Yucca elephantipes (syn. In yucca, a lack of light and too much water may both be cause for curling leaves. Overwatering the plants five days, one plant that thrives in the surrounding. For best results, plant yuccas where they can experience the direct coming. 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