The indoor yucca resembles a palm tree in appearance, and in good light, it impresses with its lush fan-shaped leaves. This exotic plant can be found in offices, apartments, and country houses. It blends harmoniously into the minimalist interiors of both commercial and residential spaces. Group arrangements are particularly striking. Yucca care has some unique features, but they're easy to understand.
Description of the flower
Yucca is of interest to indoor gardeners as an ornamental plant. Hobbyists call it the false palm. The beneficial properties of this evergreen perennial are less appealing; its impressive size and the ability of tree-like varieties to form a branching trunk are more appealing.
Yucca is native to the arid regions of Central America. In its natural habitat, it is a shrub ranging from 2 to 8 meters tall.
There are many varieties in nature, about 40 of which have been recorded. Based on stem type, species and subspecies are divided into two groups:
- stemless;
- tree-like.
When grown indoors, the plant rarely flowers. In its native climate, yucca produces robust stems with white flowers gathered in an erect inflorescence. Later, the fruit forms—a capsule about 10 cm in size. Yucca seeds are black and large—10 mm in diameter.
Popular varieties
For home use, people choose a flower based on its photo and name. The most common choice is the elephant yucca (Yucca elephantipes). It has a tuberous, thickened stem, sword-shaped, leathery leaves up to 70 cm long and about 7 cm wide.
Yucca glauca is virtually stemless, with mature specimens reaching approximately 40 cm in length. The species belongs to the group of stemless plants. This false palm is adorned with a rosette of narrow (0.8-1.2 cm), gray-green leaves with a thin whitish border, 60-90 cm long.
The perennial produces a spike-shaped inflorescence of white-green, bell-shaped flowers in midsummer, for the first time at the age of 3-4 years. Active flowering ends in late August. Without a flower stalk, the glauca yucca resembles a large hedgehog.
A mature Yucca aloifolia requires ample space. It grows slowly, but over the years it expands, taking on the shape of a large ball. The rosette consists of broad, leathery leaves. Flowering occurs in summer. The palm produces an inflorescence about 45 cm long. The bell-shaped flowers are light purple or creamy white.
Conditions of detention
Yucca requires care appropriate to its biological characteristics. If the room isn't well-lit, it's not a good idea to grow it. It prefers bright, indirect light but dislikes direct sunlight.
In cloudy weather, when natural light is insufficient for the yucca palm, an artificial lighting system is installed. A fluorescent lamp is left on for 16 hours a day, replacing the sun. It is positioned 30-60 cm from the leaves.
Humidity and temperature
In summer, creating the optimal temperature regime doesn't require much effort. The false palm thrives at room temperature (22-25°C) and can be placed outdoors in the garden, on a terrace, or on a loggia.
Winter is more challenging: yucca requires a period of relative dormancy; during the cold season, the plant thrives at 12-15°C. It's difficult to create such conditions in a city apartment. A plant placed near a radiator loses its decorative appeal. The leaves stretch and lose turgor. Gardeners find ways to create comfortable conditions for indoor yucca:
- to lower the air temperature, the batteries are covered with thick cloth;
- the flower is sprayed with water at room temperature several times a day;
- Wipe the outer and inner surfaces of the leaves with a cloth soaked in water.
For normal development, yucca does not need very humid air; it does well at 40-50%.
Soil requirements
Yucca requires a loose, fertile substrate. It's made from equal parts sand, humus, peat, turf, and leaf mold. All ingredients are poured into a large container and mixed thoroughly. To kill pathogenic fungi, the soil is treated with a solution of Fitosporin or manganese.
Watering mode
Frequent and excessive watering can ruin any houseplant. Yucca is no exception: if the pot has a thin drainage layer and no drainage holes, the roots suffer from excess moisture and begin to rot due to stagnant water in the tray.
Indoor yucca plants are watered when the top 5-7 cm of soil has dried out. The water is allowed to sit for at least 24 hours. During this time, it warms to room temperature, removing any impurities that could harm the plant.
The frequency of watering depends on the microclimate in the apartment:
- if the room temperature is normal (22-25°C), water once every 7 days;
- in winter, during the dormant period and in late autumn, the need for water decreases; yucca is watered two or even three times less often;
- For a 5 liter lump of earth, use 1 liter of settled water.
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In hot weather, give the plant a shower. Cover the pot with plastic wrap to protect it from excess moisture, and thoroughly rinse the leaves and then dry them. This procedure should be done in the evening, but not too late: the above-ground portion of the yucca should dry before nightfall.
Fertilization
Yucca is an evergreen tree that actively grows from April to August. During this period, it requires nutrients, but without regular root feeding, the soil's nutrient levels drop sharply.
There's a special liquid fertilizer for this plant. It's diluted with water, and the resulting solution is poured into the pot immediately after watering. The feeding schedule is simple: once every two weeks from April to August.
How to transplant a yucca plant
The photo shows a yucca plant that was just purchased at the store, in a technical pot. There's no need to rush into repotting it into a new, beautiful pot. The plant needs 7-10 days to acclimate. While it's adapting to the new conditions—temperature, humidity, light levels, and daylight hours—prepare:
- select a flowerpot of the correct size - the diameter and depth are 1.5-2 cm larger than the old one;
- buy ready-made soil or make it yourself;
- Prepare drainage by pouring it onto the bottom of the flowerpot in a 5 cm layer.
Repot the indoor yucca by transshipment. Plant the stems at a shallow depth, water the soil moderately, and place the pot away from drafts and bright sunlight. The plant will take root in 7-10 days, but don't feed it for another 2-3 weeks.
Young plants are routinely repotted into larger pots once a year, while mature plants are repotted less frequently—once every 3-4 years. In between, the soil is rejuvenated. The top few centimeters of soil are removed and replaced with fresh soil.
Large plants are very difficult to repot. If the pot is too small for the roots, they can be trimmed back by a quarter with a clean, sharp knife. Thick cuts are dusted with crushed charcoal. The roots are covered with loose soil; the soil should not be moistened after planting. The first watering should be done on the third day.
Pruning yucca
The procedure is not complicated, but it does require certain skills. Pruning encourages yucca branches, resulting in a uniquely shaped indoor tree. The procedure is time-sensitive and is performed in late May or early June.
On a young, healthy plant with a trunk over 30 cm tall, cut off the top (5-10 cm) with a sharp knife, leaving the leaves on the stump. Crush charcoal tablets and sprinkle the powder on the cut area.
A growing yucca is more difficult to care for; without rejuvenating pruning, the false palm loses its decorative appeal. Restoring its lost beauty over the years is easy: trim off the top, leaving two or three growing points. Sprinkle the cut with crushed charcoal. The cutting is not discarded; it is used for propagation.
Following the recommended care rules is not difficult, and the yucca will thank you for your care with its beauty and clean air in your apartment.
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