Yucca
Sword-shaped leaves on thick canes, a desert plant that wants sun and very little water and grows into a sculptural indoor tree. As tough as the snake plant, in tree form.
The indoor yucca is the spineless kind, with soft leaf tips rather than the daggers of the garden species, on stout canes that make it look like a small tree from the start. It is a desert plant and wants desert treatment: full sun, gritty soil, and long dry spells.
It grows slowly and lives a long time. A yucca in a sunny corner is a twenty-year plant.
Light
Full sun, or as close as you can get. A south or west window. It tolerates bright indirect light but leans and grows weak in anything dimmer. Rotate it monthly.
Water
Water deeply when the soil is dry most of the way down the pot, every two weeks in summer and monthly in winter. It stores water in the cane and rots if kept wet. Underwatering is nearly impossible.
Soil and potting
A gritty, fast-draining mix, cactus mix or potting soil with half perlite. A heavy pot; a tall yucca is top-heavy. Repot every three years or so.
Feeding
A half-strength feed every eight weeks in spring and summer. It needs little.
Propagation
Cut the top off a tall cane and root it in dry mix; the stump sprouts new heads. Offsets at the base can be separated. Both are slow but reliable.
In a hot, dry home
Grown outdoors all over Phoenix, so indoors is easy. Full sun through a west window, dry air and AC are all fine. Water a little more often in July, still only when dry.
Problems and fixes
Soft, mushy cane at the base
Likely cause: Overwatering
Fix: Stop watering. Cut above the rot and re-root the healthy top.
Leaves leaning and floppy
Likely cause: Not enough light
Fix: Move into direct sun.
Brown leaf tips
Likely cause: Tap water salts or dry air
Fix: Use filtered water. Trim tips.
Lower leaves yellowing and drooping
Likely cause: Normal as the cane grows
Fix: Pull off old leaves. It exposes more trunk over time.
Yucca questions
Is yucca toxic to cats and dogs?
Yes, mildly. It contains saponins that cause vomiting if chewed.
How often should I water a yucca?
Every two weeks in summer and about monthly in winter, only when the soil is dry most of the way down.
How much sun does an indoor yucca need?
As much as possible. It is a desert plant and does best in a south or west window with direct sun.
Plants with a similar rhythm
Snake Plant
- Light
- Low to direct sun
- Water
- Every 3 weeks
- Pets
- Toxic
Ponytail Palm
- Light
- Bright indirect to direct sun
- Water
- Every 3 weeks
- Pets
- Safe
Dragon Tree
- Light
- Low to bright indirect
- Water
- Every 10 days
- Pets
- Toxic
