Pushing Repotting Limits With A Spineless Yucca

In case you’re on the lookout for a houseplant that thrives on neglect, however nonetheless makes a adorning assertion, take into account the spineless yucca (Yucca elephantipes). Spineless on this case doesn’t imply this houseplant is by any means weak or feeble. These crops usually tend to outgrow your area and might get fairly tall, even when confined to a pot.

My Superb Yucca Plant

I’ve had my yucca for about 20 years and I actually solely bear in mind repotting it as soon as. (And this was as a result of I wished one thing slightly extra ornamental than the black plastic pot it got here in.) Granted, this isn’t the really helpful interval for transplanting a yucca of this species, however like I stated, they’re extremely tolerant of neglect.

Only for the document, I additionally solely water my yucca houseplant about as soon as a month fairly than giving it the really helpful weekly drink of water. Whereas all this neglect hasn’t killed this beautiful plant, I’m sure it has slowed down its development price. But at 7 toes tall (2 m.), I can actually say I’m glad it hasn’t grown quicker!

Alas, as a backyard author, I’d be remiss if I didn’t inform you the really helpful manner to supply yucca houseplant care. As that is positively a case of do as I say and never as I do, right here is the correct approach to look after potted yuccas.

Keep away from Overwatering an Indoor Yucca Plant

Clearly, my as soon as a month “let’s throw some water on it” approach for hydrating my yucca plant prevents me from overwatering these desert natives. But, I’ve typically puzzled if it’s potential to underwater them. Mine resides in a 16 inch (41 cm.) broad planter. It could be potential to underwater this species ought to or not it’s rootbound and in a smaller pot.

I do have a principle as to why my yucca just isn’t rootbound, despite the fact that it has been greater than a decade since I’ve repotted it. A couple of years again, we had a fairly tenacious mouse that took up residence in our 1930’s period dwelling. Even our two housecats couldn’t appear to rid us of this pest.

I’d see it scurrying alongside the wall, behind the tv stand and into the bed room the place I stored the yucca. Whereas Mr. Mouse was residing with us, I stored discovering holes dug within the soil of the yucca plant.

Now, I’ve by no means heard of mice digging holes in potted crops, however I can’t consider another purpose why these holes would preserve showing even after I stuffed them in with potting soil. I believe maybe Mr. Mouse was doing a little bit of root pruning, which in some odd manner was helpful to my yucca.

Nonetheless, indoor yucca crops are very susceptible to root rot if overwatered. Whatever the suggestion to water these crops weekly, it’s finest to all the time test the soil first. Whether it is moist, don’t hesitate to attend just a few days earlier than watering.

Yucca Plant Indoor Care

Whereas these crops make lovely and attention-grabbing houseplants, this species of yucca is simply hardy in tropical climates. Open air, they are often grown in full solar or partial shade. To supply as a lot daylight as potential, I preserve my yucca in an east-facing window. To maintain the trunk rising straight, I usually rotate the pot.

I’ve discovered potted yucca crops are fairly tolerant of any well-draining potting soil. A cactus combine is good, however including sand, perlite or vermiculite to an ordinary potting combine may even work. These crops are usually not heavy feeders and I not often embody fertilizer when watering.

I’ve discovered that the one facet of care these crops routinely require is pruning. A number of time per yr, I trim off the decrease leaves which have turned brown. These could be left on the trunk, however I discover yuccas to be extra aesthetically pleasing when the foliage is all inexperienced.

Lastly, as soon as my yucca reaches the ceiling, will probably be time to prune its peak by sawing throughout the trunk. Repotting each the underside with the roots and the sawed off high will give me two crops. I discover this activity a bit daunting, so I’m glad I solely must do it as soon as each 10 to twenty years!