How To Take Care Of An Indoor Yucca Plant?

Yucca plants are native to the Southwest U.S. and prefer dry, sandy regions like the desert and Great Plains. They have naturalized from Florida to New England to the Mississippi River and can tolerate poor, sandy, well-drained soils in full sun, efficiently handling heat, drought, and salt spray. To plant a Yucca indoors, prepare the ground by removing soil, filling it with gravel, and topping it up with a good few horticultural sand or grit. Place the plant in soil-based compost with added horticultural sand or grit for good drainage. Repot every two or three years and use a sturdy pot to avoid the need for frequent repotting.

Yucca plants are a popular evergreen shrub and a structural beauty that is perfect for greening up your indoor space. They detoxify the air, making your environment healthier by preventing pests and trimming dead leaves. To keep a Yucca plant healthy and thriving, follow these requirements for light, soil, watering, and fertilization:

  1. Plant Yucca in areas of full sun in your yard.
  2. Use a good quality, well-aerated, loose houseplant soil that drains quickly for a Yucca Plant. Add sand if it seems too heavy or clay-like.
  3. Place the plant in a loose, well-drained potting mix inside.
  4. Trim the trunk instead of pruning back the leaves of a yucca. Gently lift the plant from its pot and use a saw to cut the yucca’s trunk.
  5. Regularly water the indoor yucca plant when 75-100 of the soil volume is dry. Water until liquid flows through the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot and discard any water that has been absorbed.
  6. Ensure the plant is growing in soil-based compost with added grit for drainage.
  7. Plant Yucca plants in areas of full sun in your yard, and ensure indoor plants are in bright indirect light or full light. Watch for brown or brown spots and ensure the plant is in a partly shaded location that receives bright, indirect light.

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How to keep a yucca plant alive indoors?

Yucca, a tropical plant, requires a sunny, well-drained, and well-watered environment. It thrives in a south-facing window in winter and an east or west-facing window in summer. In the winter, provide light shade and ventilate freely to reduce high temperatures. Tender species like Y. elephantipes can be placed outside from May to August, provided they are stable in wind. For winter protection, all tender yucca should be over-wintered indoors, with a minimum night temperature of 7°C (45°F) and a slightly higher day temperature.

Does a yucca plant need direct sunlight?

Yucca plants, native to the Americas, are known for their ornamental beauty, drought tolerance, and hardiness. They belong to the Asparagaceae family and are characterized by their long, sword-shaped leaves with sharp edges and rosettes. They can grow in green or blue-green, with some species having variegated foliage. Yucca plants produce tall, showy flower spikes in summer, which can be white, cream, or yellow, and are fragrant and attract pollinators like bees and moths. To ensure optimal growth, place them near a window with direct sunlight, well-draining soil, and water that is dry.

Where is the best place to put a yucca plant?

Yucca plants thrive in low to medium light environments, but prefer bright, indirect light. Choose a spot with low to medium light to encourage slower growth. Watering Yucca plants less often is recommended, as they are native to dry, unforgiving spaces in the Western Hemisphere. Overwatering is the only way to kill the plant. Instead of relying on a consistent watering schedule, touch the soil top to check its moisture. If dirt sticks to your fingers, it’s still damp and doesn’t need watering. If your fingers return dry, consider watering your plant.

Should I remove dead leaves from yucca?

Yuccas are not particularly demanding in terms of fertilization, although the application of generic houseplant feed during the growth period and the removal of dead or damaged leaves can facilitate enhanced growth.

Should I mist my yucca plant?

It is recommended that the yucca plant be situated in a location that is free from drafts and in proximity to radiators. This will ensure optimal health for the plant, which thrives in warm, dry, well-ventilated conditions and does not require additional moisture.

How do I keep my yucca happy?

The guide to yucca care emphasizes the importance of ample bright light, watering when the soil feels dry, and feeding once a month in spring and summer. These sun-loving plants, known for their beautiful trunks and flamboyant leaves, are easy to grow as houseplants as long as they are used to hot, dry conditions. To ensure their health, mimic their home environment and provide plenty of bright light.

How do you rejuvenate a yucca plant?

The initial step is to trim the stems back to the base of the yucca. The second step is to provide a clear account of the base, given the arid soil conditions.

How often should I water an indoor yucca plant?

The Yucca Cane is moderately drought-resistant and requires watering once every 10 days, ensuring the roots are not in water and the plant is in well-draining soil and pot. It can be fertilized up to three times per year with a liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength, especially in the spring and summer when the plant is actively growing. Yucca Cane thrives in warm conditions and low humidity, similar to succulents. It should be kept at room temperature between 65-85F and not left outside once temperatures drop below 55. They do well in regular household humidity levels and don’t need extra humidity care.

What does an overwatered yucca look like?

It is important to note that overwatering a yucca plant can result in the development of yellow leaves. Therefore, it is advisable to check the soil moisture content before watering the plant. Misting is not a necessary practice, as yuccas flourish in conditions of low humidity and aridity, which are characteristic of their natural habitats in South America and the Caribbean.

Can I use leftover coffee to water plants?

To create a liquid fertilizer using used coffee grounds, dilution is crucial. Use about a teaspoon of coffee grounds per gallon of water, ensuring not to overdose. Steep the mixture for a few nights, stirring occasionally. Strain the liquid through a cheesecloth, and the remaining liquid can be used to water and gently fertilize houseplants. This method is especially beneficial for containers potted in containers.

Are coffee grounds good for yucca plants?
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

Are coffee grounds good for yucca plants?

Some plants, such as the sago palm and yucca, are capable of tolerating acidic environments with relative ease. However, other plants, including coffee grounds, have the potential to be poisonous due to their detrimental impact on plant growth.


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How To Take Care Of An Indoor Yucca Plant
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

19 comments

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  • There used to be one of those growing outside of a dentist’s office on Central Ave in Augusta, Georgia! I couldn’t believe it survived outside in the ground for years and years, but it did! It developed a big caudex at the base of the biggest cane and smaller suckers grew out of that caudex. They tore down that office but someone got the yucca cane tree so I guess its in someone’s solarium or yard up on the hill in Summerville or out in Evans or Martinez at some fat cat’s mansion! I always thought that was cool about that yucca. It was huge and yes it was one of these plants you are describing in today’s article. Your articles are great!!

  • Hello Green Alchemist. I really found this article insightful! I am wondering if you can help me out with my yucca plant, as I see you have a lot of experience with these types of plants. My yucca plant is roughly 15 years old. It was doing really well. About 4 years ago, an independent baby yucca plant started growing on the side. It eventually grew to about 20 inches high. However, the ‘main yucca plant’ started to rot. Because I have no experience with plants, I just left it there. But about a week ago, I took action. Basically the ‘main yucca plant’ was entirely rotten, and I carefully took it out of the pot and it was not even attached to any roots! So I threw it out. I made sure to sterilize all the tools I was using. I took the baby yucca plant (which is healthy and that now had a bit of skin at the bottom) and its roots and replanted in a brand new pot with fresh soil (palm tree soil because it’s better with drainage). I also watered it, which I now regret, because the soil was already quite damp in the package. It’s now been a week after the repotting, and the leaves of my baby yucca have softened a bit and they are less vibrant green (slowly yellowing), and they are drooping. WHAT DO I DO?! I really want to save the plant. I am assuming I should not water it anymore, but do you have any suggestions. Thank you kindly for your time 🙂

  • I’m very happy! I have a huge Yuka plant that is getting far too big, it’s as high as the ceiling and about 5ft wide!! and now I know I can cut it back and replant bits. I really felt bad just cutting it back after all it’s effort in growing!😅 I feel more like it’s having children now though 😂 weird thing is that we bought two at the time, and the other is only around 4ft tall with much more spindly stalks. I’d post pics of the comparison but I don’t know how!

  • we purchased our plant last spring and it has lived in the house, north exposure but in front of a sliding door. living in Minnesota I will be reluctant to take it outside for the summer because of other bugs. It was beautiful upon purchase but in the last 4 months it started to die off. I watered as directed and now I’m down to very little foliage. It was in a typical shipping greenhouse 12 inch planter and they told me to leave it in that planter for at least a year before replanting. I know at one time I overwatered it but then abstained. Today I removed it from the pot, it apearsed root bound but not overly wet. I’m going to let it dry out for a few days and replant it in a pourous pot. Am I doing the right thing?

  • Hi, thanks for all the tips. I have been having a problem with my yucca plant. I am starting to see the some of the leaves turning white almost like the color is fading. The plant doesn’t have any bug problems on the leafs so I really don’t know what to do. After perusal this article I feel like letting the soil dry completely and water with some nutrients and see what happens. Thanks

  • Great article. Thanks! My first yucca died. I think the issue was that I was not watering it enough and never fertilized it once. My second one, which I currently have, was starting to kick the bucket. I took her outside where she can have humidity and sunlight, and I have been fertilizing her. She seems to be doing well now! I would love if some more leaf bunches would sprout out of the cane to rebalance the plant, as a sizeable number of leaf bunches (about 15 percent on the taller cane and 50 percent on the little one) died. If anyone knows what the leaf bunches are called, feel free to let me know. Google is not helping. 😝

  • Maann, I needs your green thumb. About to start/ plant avocado tree and lemon tree in Texas. My neighbor had a lemon tree, but she left it in front yard facing west and it died in August. My front porch facing east, and backyard facing west. So hopefully this works. Other neighbor has just to many cats and they always peeing, pooping in our front yards. Uuggh 🤦‍♀️. Dont get me wrong I love pets, but these cats are killing my outdoor plants. Glad you still doing vids. 👍 P.S I bought two yucca trees, about two feet tall only, pretty expensive here. Remind me of grandma, she had all kind of cactuses, aloe vera, mint, yucca trees, nut trees, and she had that green thumb too. Thanks 👍

  • Hello, I purchased a Yucca from a lady on Facebook. It was beautiful with no issues. I’ve having it in the house I didn’t water it for about a month. The first time I watered it I took it outside watered it left it outside of the night and brought it back in. I watered it for the second time about another month. This time after i watered it and brought back in In noticed a few days later the leaves were turning brown and curling up. I don’t know what to do now it looks like I may have to cut all the leaves😢😢😢Help!!!

  • So I live in a decently humid climate in the summer (Missouri) but I’d like to have this new yucca inside sometimes because it’s nice to look at. Would it be wise to sometimes have the plant outside on my covered porch in order for it to get good sunlight and humidity to grow, and some days bring it back inside? Or would that stress it out?

  • I have a Yucca Cane plant that has lost a lot of leaves due to drying out, yet the soil was moist. The stalks of the new growths are quite a bit smaller in width than the original. Will the stalks eventually become larger in width or will they remain thin? The leaves used to stand out vertically and now they are growing downward. Is this normal ?

  • I know it is been a long time since you posted this article but I bought a yucca cane from Home Depot that is about 4 foot and the other one is about two-and-a-half I separated them and repotted them with succulent soil and some sand and pumice it seems like it’s holding onto moisture for too long any suggestions on how to dry it out faster thank you and I love your articles

  • I recently repotted my outdoor Yucca as I think I’ve overwatered it as the leaves had all turned yellow. I’ve taken it out the sun and put it in part shade until it picks up. I’ve never fed it before so when should I start feeding it as I was waiting for it to recover from repotting it and drying😊 out completely???

  • Hi Justin just found this great website. How am I able to send you a picture of my yucca? It’s recently having mass leaves just browning and I’m ripping them off. There’s heavy thick layers of what looks like mildew. I could use your opinion on whether that’s the cause of my yucca dying or a water issue. I water once every two weeks. It is near south facing window. I sprayed and cleaned leaves with milk (did not wipe off)

  • Someone in my complex was throwing a tall yucca plant out. Problem is that the most of leaves are not straight, some at the top are but towards the bottom most of them are bending. I decided to take it anyways & try to save it. I bought soil & repot it. QUESTION! Do you think I’m wasting time because its gonna die anyways or is there a chance to save it & the leaves can become straight again? Please help

  • Thanks for the article! I found worms which looked like millepedi in the soil, they curl up if touched, do you have any advise on how to handle them? I read they should not be dangerous to the plant, but since I keep it in my apartment I would like to avoid finiding them under my pillow =) Thanks for the support!

  • My yucca plant isn’t doing well. I bought the plant around August this year, watered it in Sept. Noticed one of the plants in the pot was turning yellow shortly after so I didn’t water it again so that it will dry out completely. Today (Dec 17th) I used my moisture meter to check the plant and it’s still moist at the bottom but dry on the surface. Can I water the plant now? Btw the plant that was turning yellow earlier has lost most of its leaves now 😣 but the other 2 yucca plants in the pot are doing fine so far

  • I just bought a rather large one yesterday. I repotted it, and cleaned all its leaves off. I have zero clue what I’m doing. I have mine indoors, and have a saucer underneath. Kind of hard to keep it indoors without a saucer underneath. Also, how can I keep this guy upright? I feel like an idiot now, because I packed new soil in when I repotted it, and it’s not cactus soil. 🤦‍♀️

  • do you know anything about healthy leaves growing except theyre twisting all over the place ? my yucca is just looking so bad, the leaves were doing this weird thing where they are all bent and folded over and twisting around….but no yellow leaves or brown leaves or any diseased looking parts! I chopped off like 90% of the leaves and the ones growing now are still all deformed and I have no idea whats going on heh.

  • Hi, my children just bought me a yucca for mothers day, so I appreciate your advice on that. But what I really need help with before they are completely gone is my little Orange Tree plants . I started them from seeds and several didnt make it. But I was able to keep 4 of them alive, but not thriving by any means. I have had them for 3 years and now their leaves are falling off and i see some sort of tiny flying things by them and when I watered them yesterday I noticed some sort of tiny gross white wiggly things in the soil. I HAVE DOUSED THEM WITH Neem Oil from top to bottom and poured a diluted neem oil into their soil. But that hasnt seemed to help them. So I bought some Houseplant and Garden Insect Killer by Garden Safe and sprayed them lightly with that yesterday. I also sprayed the soil some because I saw those creepy white wiggly things. I’m so afraid that they are going to die and I’ve tried so hard to keep them alive. The seeds were from my uncle’s oranges off his tree in Arizona. I live in Minnesota so it’ really been a struggle. I would like to share a pucture of them with you, so maybe you can tell what might be going on and offer some advice on how I can save them and help them to thrive. PLEASE I AM DESPERATE TO SAVE THEM!!! Thank you in advance for any help you can give me. And time is really of the essence right now so the sooner you would be able to get back to me the better I appreciate it so much