yucca plant pruning

Just make sure the yucca plant gets plenty of light while it is recovering. It will grow as the one in your picture.In nurseries they cut the stems/stalks into pieces then use each chunk to form new plants for resale. If your plant is getting too tall, you may cut the trunk from the bottom and re-pot. Removing old flower stems keeps the plant’s energy focused on vigorous growth instead of seed production. Pull the stalk out from the center of the plant only if the center is rotted and the stalk can be easily removed. Other than pruning a Yucca plant it pretty much cares after itself. Water well and then you are done with your pruning. As with most plants, the best time to prune the yucca is just before the plant begins to grow. Just make sure the yucca plant gets plenty of light while it is recovering. Did you know you can read expert answers for this article? You essentially get an additional plant for free if you cut them and replant both! Yucca leaves are often sharp. I have new shoots coming along the yucca trunk. But Where Does Yucca Grow? When older leaves die on a mature yucca plant, simply cut them away, usually in the spring. Leaves shouldn’t bump against the window since sunlight can cause burning As with any plant, take care to keep the leaves of your yucca plant dust free for optimum health. When your yucca plant becomes too tall for the space, it is in, gently remove it from the pot. Though not exactly pruning, many people wonder about cutting off the yucca’s flower stalk after the blooms have faded. If the lower leaves of your yucca plant are damaged or unsightly (leaves naturally die and turn yellow as the plant grows taller), pruning is a great way to keep your yucca looking fresh. Use a sharp pair of pruning shears to cut the stalk off 3 to 4 inches above where the stalk grows from the main trunk. Pruning photo by Jann Huizenga. Keep the cutting in a cool, dry place for a couple of days before planting. And if you deadhead flowers throughout the growing season, it can promote more continuous blooming. USDA growing zones: 3 to 10; Color varieties: Yellow, orange, red, maroon Continue caring for the yucca plants as they grow. If you want to prune the flowers of a yucca, you can do so at any time, even if it's not blooming. Houseplants may require a low-nitrogen fertilizer a couple of times per year. The US native plant has numerous species and assortments that develop well (e.g., Yucca Aloifolia, Yucca Filamentosa, Yucca Gloriosa). If you’ve observed the roots to edge out of the pot, you can either get a bigger one or … Always wear gloves and safety glasses when cutting the yucca plants. As you might have guessed, pruning will be necessary if your yucca plant grows too tall. Consider using cacti and palm soil blends, though they are not required. Alternatively, leave the yucca skirt on if you like how it looks, since the lower leaves don’t harm the plant. Like most plants, the best time for pruning a yucca is right before it goes into its growth period. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Start by trimming the leaves at the bottom, which are known as the yucca skirt. The long, leathery, pointed leaves of a yucca plant are a foot or more in length and about an inch wide. One problem in caring for yucca plants that indoor owners have that outdoor owners generally do not is that indoor plants can grow too tall. After your yucca blooms, cut the flower stalk about 4 inches from the end. When the roots were half a cm I potted it. Prune the yucca's flowering stem once it dries out and becomes brown and brittle. It’s a slim stemmed shrub that can grow as tall as 10-15′ tall, perfect for xeriscape gardens.It has stocky branches and the leaves on this plant … Trunked yuccas like Yucca aloifolia will develop a 'skirt' of old leaves much like a palm tree does and they can be pruned away or left in place depending on your aesthetic...some people like their yuccas with a skirt and others prefer skirt-less yucca plants. Make sure the plant is straight and centered in its new pot. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Your best bet is to check the roots of the plant. She co-owns a pet-sitting company, providing her the experience to cover pet care and small business. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 72,034 times. Red yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora) is a grass-like ornamental often grown as an accent plant in the home landscape. Pruning will improve the appearance of your yucca and encourage trunk development but is not critical for plant health. Yucca is a perennial shrub characterized by its robust, sword-shaped leaves. You can cut through the tree trunk with really sturdy scissors or use a saw. If your yucca plant is getting too big for its pot, you can cut it in half and replant both parts separately. You can rejuvenate the plant by pruning. If you wish to produce more yucca plants, take the top half from pruning … Pruning yucca. I cut it and after drying it for a day, I rolled some moist tissue paper around it. Aug 22, 2014 - One problem in caring for yucca plants is that indoor plants can grow too tall. Choose a new container that’s a bit larger than the older one and fill about 1/3 rd or ½ with the same potting mix. Next, get a saw or a pair of loopers and simply cut at the desired mark. You can give giving the yucca plants fertilizer 2-3 times a year for best results, though it is not required. Yucca plants can be a bush or a stalk plant. The bottom leaves are called the yucca’s “skirt.” Start at the bottom of the plant, and begin cutting off leaves using a knife, blade, pruning shears, or scissors. In the warmer parts of Australia, yucca cuttings can be taken almost anytime of the year. It should be cut at half the length of its stalk, as it provides the plant with plenty of room to grow properly. Propagate Yucca Plant … Water the plants once every 10 days. Check the mark on the trunk if you have forgotten which end is which. When your yucca plant becomes too tall for the space it is in, gently remove it from the pot. Its scientific name is Yucca aloifolia. Pruning yucca plants is a quick and simple process. They need to be trimmed back. The small sharp-leafed yucca plant thrives in arid conditions. Dusting and Pruning Your Yucca Plant. The appropriate time for pruning the Yucca. When caring for yucca plants, it is a good idea to wear gloves to protect your hands from the sharp leaves. The only way a yucca plant can survive a winter is if it is a mild one. But Where Does Yucca Grow? After you have marked the trunk, cut off the leafy top. Although the ideal time for pruning is spring, the yucca can be pruned at any time. This will be in early spring. Step 1: Remove the yucca from the soil Remove the yucca from its container if it gets too tall. When your yucca plant becomes too tall for... Propagating a Yucca Plant. This article was co-authored by Maggie Moran. Sanitize your pruning tools with rubbing alcohol before and after you use them, as well as when you switch between plants. I have done this successfully. But like yucca, it grows well in hot arid areas. You can identify the plant by its long, narrow spiky leaves and globular growth habit. If the plant becomes too tall cut back and reduce the height by half. For tips on how to replant a trimmed yucca plant, read on! You can also find shrub […] Like most plants, the best time for pruning a yucca is right before it goes into its growth period. Like most plants, the best time for pruning a yucca is right before it goes into its growth period. Do not shear. Pruning isn't necessary for outdoor yuccas, but you can use the same pruning method there as well. Although the ideal time for pruning is spring, the yucca can be pruned at any time. Yucca gloriosa, also known as Spanish dagger, palm lily and mound-lily yucca, is a slow-growing evergreen shrub with erect, sword-shaped leaves. Red yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora) is a grass-like ornamental often grown as an accent plant in the home landscape. Prunung Yucca Plants – How to Cut a Yucca After Flowering If the yucca palm has enough room, its leaves will grow widely and the plant shows itself in all its glory. The halfway mark can be a rough estimate rather than an exact measurement. Like all things about yucca plants, care and pruning is very easy. Botanical Journey Plant Guides: Yucca Plants Care Pruning Gardening Know How: Yucca Plants -- Care and Pruning: Tips for Pruning a Yucca Tropical Centre: Yucca Brevifolia Rachelle Proulx Rachelle Proulx has been writing since 2000. The Yucca shrub thrives in Mexico, Guatemala, Baja California, Southwestern United States, and Alberta. This variety of shrub tree is native to … Removing Spent Flowers. During the winter, cut back on the moisture for your yucca soil in between each watering. There is a slight risk but healthy plants should respond well. The plant also has white flowers you can spot from a distance. First, tidy up the clump by stripping the lower leaves off the stems. TIP: The best time to prune yuccas is in the … Landscape yucca plants can grow too large for their area, which might require some judicious pruning, but cutting the top off of the yucca plant typically encourages new growth. The low-growing desert shrub grows about 2 ft. (0.6 m) tall and wide. This process could be stressful for the plant, so water it well after pruning. Do not prune. They need to be trimmed back. Stop removing leaves about halfway up the tree or when you like the way the yucca looks. Cutting away damaged leaves is especially helpful if the yucca plant is struggling. Generally, this can be done by gently pulling off or cutting the base leaves. Just make sure that the yucca plant receives enough light during its repair. Like many Yucca species it is fast growing and can develop a trunk that is to tall in 4 - 5 years. The Spanish bayonet plant comes from the perennial shrub and is part of the Asparagaceae family. The plant is a member of the Asparagaceae family and subfamily Agavoideae. While the plants are recovering, continue caring for the yucca plants as you normally would. Instructions. Depending on the flowering habit, snip off faded blooms individually, or wait until the blooming period is over and remove entire flower stalk down to the base of the plant. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! TIP:Thurber advises, "Yucca plants grow in two forms, tree-like or in a rosette. In the summer, Yucca gloriosa produces spikes of fragrant, bell-shaped white blossoms. Yucca trees are low maintenance and easily adaptable, making them widely popular houseplants. Yucca plants should be brought indoors if your climate produces severe winters. Above all, Yucca is a bush highly cultivated in the Americas. To kill an unwanted yucca plant, use a saw or pruning shears to cut the plant down to its stump so you can more easily see where you need to begin digging. Only water your Red Yucca plant once a week. Generally, this can be done by gently pulling off or cutting the base leaves. Water them well to start and keep them protected until roots are growing. Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania. Prune your indoor yucca early in March, right before it enters the growing cycle if it has grown too tall. The yucca plant is a popular indoor and outdoor plant. Water the plant thoroughly the day before transferring the plant. Purchase a container at a home and garden store. This article was co-authored by Maggie Moran. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. If the yucca tree does not receive enough sunlight, the leaves will start to stretch and look wilted. You can use sand as an alternative to help maintain soil drainage. When grown outdoors, apply a time-release fertilizer in a circle around about where you expect the roots to be. Avoid overwatering the plant as this can cause rotting of the roots.Cut off all the dead leaves in order to keep the plant neat. Yucca flaccida 'Golden Sword' As long as it is well … Root cuttings can be taken in winter or spring from mature plants. Re-potting a Yucca plant. While early spring is the ideal time, a yucca can be pruned anytime. Indoor Yucca Plant, Yucca Elephantipes Tree – How to Grow, Care, Prune The Yucca or also called Spanish Dagger because of its sword-shaped leaves is a timeless plant. Turn indoor yuccas regularly to prevent them becoming lopsided as it grows towards the light. Watering: The watering intervals for this plant differ with the light settings in which it grows. Each are pruned slightly differently. While pruning is not required for yucca plants, it helps the plant stay in great health all year. The plant will look fuller and healthier with some fall pruning. Yuccas produce attractive, creamy white blooms on stalks that grow out … Don’t water the plant too much because it likes rather dry soil. Pruning a yucca may look harsh, but it is an excellent way to not only keep your yucca plant manageable but propagate the plant. You can cut these leaves away as desired. If the leaves of this plant contain an enzymes known as “saponins”, which are considered to be toxic to humans and dogs. Yucca plants can live in all seasons and many climate zones. While early spring is the ideal time, a yucca can be pruned anytime. You can also cut your potted yucca plant. If you’ve observed the roots to edge out of the pot, you can either get a bigger one or … It is important to tidy plants regularly. {"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":"