Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. USDA growing zones: 3 to 10; Color varieties: Yellow, orange, red, maroon 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. It should be cut at half the length of its stalk, as it provides the plant with plenty of room to grow properly. Sign up for our newsletter. If over-watered, the leaves will die or become discolored. When your yucca plant becomes too tall for the space, it is in, gently remove it from the pot. Yucca is a genus of highly drought-tolerant evergreen perennials that grow either as shrubs or small trees, requiring minimum care. Alternatively, leave the yucca skirt on if you like how it looks, since the lower leaves don’t harm the plant. Make sure the plant is straight and centered in its new pot. Set the halves on the sidewalk, in the grass, or on a table. Yucca baccata: Grows up to 5 feet with shorter, almost blue leaves and purple and off-white flowers in spring.Also known as the Banana Yucca because of the shape of its fruits, which are edible. Next, get a saw or a pair of loopers and simply cut at the desired mark. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. If you prune, do so in the spring and only remove what you absolutely need to. Pruning. Water well and then you are done with your pruning. The Yucca shrub thrives in Mexico, Guatemala, Baja California, Southwestern United States, and Alberta. You can also find shrub […] Keep in mind the best time to prune yuccas is in the early spring, so you can also choose to trim your plants then if you'd like. You can even use the cut-off portion of the trunk to propagate your plant (just be sure to mark which end is the top). Dry, old leaves can be “peeled” on some species. 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. Why are the leaves on my yucca plant turning brown? In the cooler zones like Victoria, take cuttings from December to May. Each are pruned slightly differently. "I trimmed my outdoor yucca plants as you suggested, and they look great with a healthy look.". Stop removing leaves about halfway up the tree or when you like the way the yucca looks. Propagate Yucca Plant … Pruning will improve the appearance of your yucca and encourage trunk development but is not critical for plant health. In a short time, the plant will produce new leaves. Remember that the best time to prune your yucca is in the spring prior to the growing season, since pruning helps control their growth. References. If the yucca tree does not receive enough sunlight, the leaves will start to stretch and look wilted. Pruning photo by Jann Huizenga. 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 a yucca may look harsh, but it is an excellent way to not only keep your yucca plant manageable but propagate the plant. This process could be stressful for the plant, so water it well after pruning. Plant in an area that will accommodate mature size. As with any plant, take care to keep the leaves of your yucca plant dust free for optimum health. Old leaves on the bottom of yuccas naturally die and turn brown. 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. Pull the stalk out from the center of the plant only if the center is rotted and the stalk can be easily removed. How to prune yucca plants: Prune dead, brown leaves. Just make sure that the yucca plant receives enough light during its repair. Aug 22, 2014 - One problem in caring for yucca plants is that indoor plants can grow too tall. Before pruning outdoor yuccas, put on protective gloves and goggles to protect yourself from the sharp blades and spikes. I have done this successfully. Keep the humidity rather low if you can help it. They may naturally fall off, but this will help maintain the plant's health. Common name Yucca, Spanish bayonet, spineless yucca, Adam’s needle and thread, Spanish dagger Botanical name Yucca aloifolia, Y. elephantipes, Y. filamentosa, Y gloriosa Group Shrub or tree Flowering time Summer (sparsely) Planting time Spring Height and spread 55cm-10m (22in-33ft) by 1.5-8m (5-26ft) Aspect Outdoors: full sun to light shade.Indoors: bright, filtered light Like many Yucca species it is fast growing and can develop a trunk that is to tall in 4 - 5 years. Yucca Soil. Dasylirion wheeleri No pruning needed. The appropriate time for pruning the Yucca. Unlike most plants, where pruning means the cutting of branches and blooms, the yucca is a cane plant, and thus pruning means cutting the trunk. Though not exactly pruning, many people wonder about cutting off the yucca’s flower stalk after the blooms have faded. Turn indoor yuccas regularly to prevent them becoming lopsided as it grows towards the light. If your plant is getting too tall, you may cut the trunk from the bottom and re-pot. Stay on top of pruning to ensure that it doesn’t become unkempt! Wear long-sleeved clothing and gloves to protect yourself. How Much Sunlight Should a Yucca Receive? Prune the yucca's flowering stem once it dries out and becomes brown and brittle. Yuccas that grow in tree form can be pruned to cont… 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. When caring for yucca plants, it is a good idea to wear gloves to protect your hands from the sharp leaves. 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. Step 1: Remove the yucca from the soil Remove the yucca from its container if it gets too tall. Pruning a yucca plant is not necessary, but you can if you want to remove any dead or damaged leaves. It may seem drastic, but I assure you that your yucca plant considers this to be a very normal thing. Houseplants may require a low-nitrogen fertilizer a couple of times per year. Your pot should easily fit the roots of your plant and have some extra room for it to grow. You may prune before the plant blooms, though yucca trees are most commonly pruned after they bloom. Yucca flaccida 'Golden Sword' As long as it is well … Red yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora) is a grass-like ornamental often grown as an accent plant in the home landscape. Blanket flower is a pretty hardy plant, and cutting back the spent stems seems to improve its vigor. 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. This article has been viewed 72,034 times. 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 … You can still cut away damaged or dying leaves. Make your cuts as close as possible to the yucca's trunk. Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania. Dusting and Pruning Your Yucca Plant. By using our site, you agree to our. Before pruning outdoor yuccas, put on protective gloves and goggles to … Pruning yucca plants is a quick and simple process. Make sure that you are still providing your plant with cooler temperatures, just not freezing. Pruning isn't necessary for outdoor yuccas, but you can use the same pruning method there as well. Water the plant thoroughly the day before transferring the plant. 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. Left unpruned, the fronds will eventually fall off but it will take awhile. If the top 1–2 inches (2.5–5.1 cm) feel dry, lightly water the plants. If the leaves of this plant contain an enzymes known as “saponins”, which are considered to be toxic to humans and dogs. You can rejuvenate the plant by pruning. Watering: The watering intervals for this plant differ with the light settings in which it grows. Just make sure that the yucca plant receives enough light during its repair. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. For best results, pruning should be done right before spring when the plant is getting ready to grow. Watering yucca. Like all things about yucca plants, care and pruning is very easy. Cut off the lower leaves with a blade if you want to remove its "skirt. " Step 1: Remove the yucca from the soil Remove the yucca from its container if it gets too tall. The It List: The Irish accents of 'Wild Mountain Thyme,' reality show drama in 'House of Ho,' and more pop culture highlights of the week Keep the yucca plant away from sidewalks and high traffic areas so they don't cut anyone. Pruning Your Yucca Plant – Yuccas can be trimmed and shaped anytime. Prune your indoor yucca early in March, right before it enters the growing cycle if it has grown too tall. Always wear gloves and safety glasses when cutting the yucca plants. {"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":"