If you notice signs of root rot—yellow leaves, soft stems, or leaning stems—repot your Yucca elephantipes in fresh, sterile potting soil. Our guide goes over plenty of general Yucca-based knowledge but is particularly geared towards the popular indoor Yucca Elephantipes variety. The scientific name is Yucca elephantipes, and they have sharp, spear-shaped projections, which radiate from the central stalk. Yucca elephantipes (syn. Yucca elephantipes (syn. Plant yuccas where they can experience the direct rays of the sun all day. Genus Yucca can be evergreen perennials, shrubs or trees, with dense or loose rosettes of stiff, sword-shaped leaves and tall panicles of bell-shaped flowers Details Y. elephantipes is a large, upright shrub or small tree with several trunks growing from near ground level, sparsely branched. . Most yuccas grow well in U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 10 and below. If surrounding plants grow enough to begin shading the yucca, cut the surrounding plants back or move the yucca to a better location. Yucca, like many species, require exacting conditions for optimal health. Extreme conditions are no problem for a yucca plant. Attempts at pampering this sturdy plant may result in a yucca plant leaves turning yellow. Water – A common cause of yellow yucca leaves is too much water. Age – The lower leaves on a yucca plant yellow naturally as they age. Jenny Harrington has been a freelance writer since 2006. Are Yucca Elephantipes Plants Toxic? Yucca gigantean, Yucca guatemalensis) has long, sword-like, yellow-green, arching leaves, which grow in a rosette from the top of a bare trunk. If your yucca is overwatered, you might notice that it has generally yellow leaves, root rot, or a trunk that feels spongy. ... Care lacking in any of these departments can cause leaves to turn yellow and/or brown. If you notice the tiny red mites on your plant, take your potted yucca outdoors or into the shower and spray well, including the underside of the leaves. Too much or too little sun, or improper feeding or watering can result in unusual symptoms. When exposed to direct sunlight for too long, the leaves will yellow and burn. They are, however, interesting and slow-growing houseplants that have the added benefit of being extremely drought tolerant. Yucca elephantipes (syn. In yucca, a lack of light and too much water may both be cause for curling leaves. This is actually a desperate attempt to take advantage of the little sunlight it receives, and the leaves soon begin to yellow when the food production can’t keep up with the plant’s needs. For best results, plant yuccas in sandy soil and don’t use organic mulch. They are topped by spiral rosettes of sword-shaped, blue-green leaves that may reach 4 ft. on mature plants. We noticed the lowest leaves were yellowing and dying off, along with dark spots and leaf tips - this is when we looked to the internet to see what's what. Hi Marion, Yellow leaves on a Yucca usually indicate the plants needs a little more water, especially if the yellow leaves are on the bottom. Unlike other Yucca varieties, the leaves are spineless. Indoor Yucca Plant, Yucca Elephantipes Tree - How to Grow, Care, … Some fungi can cause yellow spots of yuccas, but those issues typically solve themselves if you avoid overwatering the plants. Twisted yucca is also named Texas yucca, rock yucca, and twisted-leaf yucca. Check the moisture in the soil surrounding each yucca plant that has yellow leaves. PROBLEM: leaves are curling downward in on itself, like i […] Yucca plants are shrubs that have a hard, sword shaped leaves with white flowers. Completely yellow or brown leaves If you are pretty good with houseplants this will be rare Large pots hold lots of moisture, and it takes a long time for a large pot to dry out between waterings. Yucca can be evergreen perennials, shrubs or trees, with dense or loose rosettes of stiff, sword-shaped leaves and tall panicles of bell-shaped flowers. Larger forms gradually loose the lower leaves … Transplant the yuccas to a site where the soil drains better if their current location's soil drains poorly or collects water during rainfalls. If the leaf doesn't pull off easily, trim it close to the main stalk or plant base with a sharp knife. Yucca filamentosa, Yucca flaccida and Yucca gloriosa are among the hardiest and commonly grown outside in the garden. A spray of dish soap and water will control bugs and mites. If you kill a yucca, it's probably due to overwatering. Remove dead yellow foliage at its base. Sign up for our newsletter. It started out with 3 trunks in one pot and now I only have 1 left. There are several species commonly grown - some are hardier than others. If you want to mulch for a neater appearance, use gravel or stones. At 3 weeks the 1st inch or so of soil still feels slightly damp (summer) so I hesitate to water. Most yellow foliage on yuccas is caused by improper cultural care, although some diseases and pests can cause the yellowing. Yucca plants (Yucca spp.) Keep yucca in a room where the daytime temperature are between 22.2 and 27.8 degrees Celsius, and about -12.2 degrees C lower during the nighttime, as sudden temperature changes can cause the leaves to turn yellow. Yucca gigantean, Yucca guatemalensis) has long, sword-like, yellow-green, arching leaves, which grow in a rosette from the top of a bare trunk. Wait until the soil feels completely dry a couple of inches (around 5 cm.) It's natural for some yucca leaves to yellow, but severe yellowing may indicate a problem. Whether you grow it indoors or out, one plant that thrives in the face of neglect is the yucca plant. Care issues. Light – Another reason for yellow leaves on yucca plants is poor sunlight. Your Yucca Cane will thrive in bright indirect light. Yellowing leaves might indicate that you are trying too hard. Reduce watering the yuccas if their soil feels wet. Yucca elephantipes is the most popular Yucca to grow indoors and a great choice if you’re looking for a hardy houseplant! Treat spotted mite-infected yuccas by washing the webs from their leaves with a damp rag every three to five days. Unlike other Yucca varieties, the leaves are spineless. Under the right conditions, yucca is not difficult to gro… Lifestyle Yellowing leaves Yellow yucca leaves are an issue most commonly attributed to overwatering. Yucca Elephantipes/Spineless Wiping down the leaves with a damp cloth every two or three days removes the mites, or you can try putting them in the shower under a gentle spray for a few minutes. This article tells you how to save a yellowing yucca. You may think that setting your indoor yucca in a sunny window is enough for indoor yuccas, but it depends on the window. Pests – Indoor yuccas often suffer from spider mites, which can cause discolored leaves. Known variously as the Spineless Yucca, Spanish Dagger, Adam’s Needle, Spanish Bayonet and Soapweed yuccas are hardy perennials that generally range from 30 cm to 2.5 meters in height. If you water the plant regularly or plant it in soil that doesn’t drain freely, the roots begin to rot. 6. Age – The lower leaves on a yucca plant yellow naturally as they age. After 3-4 weeks, the roots should begin to form. Remove badly infected foliage or treat severe infestations with a fungicide. They have thick woody stems that bear, at their upper ends, clusters of long, dark-green, spear-shaped leaves. How much light your yucca plant needs Despite being a desert plant, indoor yucca plants don’t want the sun blaring down on them all day, which can actually burn their leaves. Yucca plant: You will find The Ultimate Care Guide and why Your Yucca leaves curling. Moisture Providing proper soil moisture (or lack of moisture) is important in require very little care to thrive and are resistant to many problems. Plant the yucca in a slightly sandy, well-drained area at the same depth it was planted previously. As with most species of outdoor yuccas, care is essential when handling the plants as they have sharp, cutting edges leaves with pointed tips. Yuccas may trick you into thinking you have found the perfect indoor location by turning dark green. The tallest of the Yuccas, Yucca elephantipes (Spineless Yucca) is a large, upright succulent shrub or small tree boasting several sparsely branched trunks that thicken over time and resemble an elephant's foot. Yuccas are grown for their ornamental evergreen, sword-shaped leaves and large panicles of white or creamy-white flowers in late summer and autumn. Since Christmas, the yucca is now proudly sitting in our living room (by the window) which lets in a lot of natural light (albeit winter means about 8-10 hrs daylight where we are). Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Grasp a dead leaf with a gloved hand, and pull the leaf gently. Wet, soggy soil can cause root rot, which results in dying, yellow leaves. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. A period of cold or freezing weather can cause yellowed, dead foliage on some yuccas. As soon as the roots are long enough, you can repot the new plant and put it in a new soil mix. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Only water the yucca when the soil dries out. Harrington's specialties include small business information, crafting, decorating and gardening. Promptly diagnosing the cause and managing it helps to bring yellowing yuccas back to good health. As far as houseplants go, yucca probably eclipsed by the similar-looking Dracaena genus, which is often mistaken for yucca. The yucca most commonly available as an indoor plant in New Zealand is the Yucca Elephantipes. Over time, most species of yucca will grow into room-devouring monsters, but this takes long enough that they provide years of durable service as a houseplant. In most cases, you can simply pull the yellowed leaves off with a gentle tug. Its twisting sword-shaped leaves are bright green to dark green. Previously, she owned her own business, selling handmade items online, wholesale and at crafts fairs. Yucca's are often very difficult to bring back to health once they start to go downhill, so if it does succumb it might make you feel better to know you are in good company. Yucca plants are hardy desert plants that tolerate a wide range of soil conditions and growing environments, but a number of factors cause its leaves to turn brown. South-facing windows are the best. Yucca Elephantipes, Leaves Curling DownwardCreated OnAugust 30, 2017byKARadmin17 You are here: KB Home Yucca Elephantipes, Leaves Curling Downward < BackQuestion: I’ve had my yucca plant for 12 years now. I water about every 3-4 weeks during summer and definitely only once a month during winter months. In most cases, you can Tip: Spider mites are a common problem with indoor yuccas as well. Wiping down the leaves with a damp cloth every two or three days removes the mites, or you can try putting them in the shower under a gentle spray for a few minutes. In fact, once established, it doesn’t need any more help from you. Her published articles have appeared in various print and online publications. below the surface before watering the pot. Check the moisture in the soil surrounding each yucca plant that has yellow leaves. If necessary, use a sharp knife to remove the discolored leaves. It can tolerate lower light areas but will grow much slower. Water thoroughly and then go back to regular Yucca plant care. Begin the transplanting process by digging around a yucca plant's roots carefully and lifting the entire plant from the site. Most yucca varieties require little water and are generally happy with a generous weekly watering in summer and a decent monthly watering in the cooler months. For major spotted mite infestations, apply an acaracide pesticide, following all of the pesticide package's safety and application instructions. 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