Yucca is part of the Agavaceae family. It is a hardy plant native to the South American desert areas that resists cold (-5° C -25°C, depending on the variety) and also drought and high heat.
It can be cultivated in the open ground, in regions with little humidity because most yuccas fear humidity, especially if combined with the cold. In humid regions it is advisable to plant it in a sheltered spot against a south-facing wall.
It likes sunny exposures in Mediterranean regions and arid lands.
The Yucca needs a well drained soil and prefers a poor, sandy, dry or even rocky soil.
A very vigorous plant, with an imposing habit and very pointed leaves, it will take up a lot of space in the garden and its blooming during summer with white bell-shaped flowers is magnificent.
Planting a Yucca outdoors
Yucca is planted in the garden in spring from March to May or in late summer from September to October in mild climates. In the ground, the yucca requires almost no care. In summer, watering is unnecessary because it keeps water in its roots for its needs.
To maintain it, it is necessary to remove the deflowered stems and the dry and damaged leaves.
The Yucca blooms every year or every two or three years depending on the sun exposure and the climatic conditions.
There are about fifty different varieties of yucca. The species available at Jardiservice are :
- Filamentosa
- Filamentosa “Bright Edge
- Filamentosa “Color Guard
- Gloriosa
- Gloriosa “Variegata
- Flaccida, flaccida “Golden Sword
- Rostrata
The Yuc
ca filamentosa blooms in July and August, can reach the height of 1,50m and holds well the cold, until -20°C -25°C, according to the climatic conditions. It consists of a bunch of linear, pointed and flexible leaves on very short stems. The leaves are of bluish color and have filaments which detach from the edge.
Yucca gloriosa is an evergreen shrub with a cylindrical, robust, single, then branched stem. Tufts of sharp, lance-shaped, curved, bright green leaves up to 60 cm long. Summer bloom of white bell-shaped flowers in erect panicles, with stems up to 2.5-3 meters high.
Yucca flaccida is characterized by its long, soft, bent leaves.
Yucca rostrata is characterized by a trunk that widens upwards, ending in a dense crown and long, pointed, silvery-green leaves. The flowers appear on a spike and are cream-colored and very fragrant.
Yucca as a houseplant
In cold regions yucca is often grown as a houseplant, which is kept under cover in winter and can be taken out in spring. The important thing is to expose it to a very good light, even a light sun and a draining soil.
The yucca is a depolluting plant. It absorbs mainly benzene and ammonia. Place it in places exposed to this type of pollution.
Multiplication
The multiplication of the yucca can be done very easily by cuttings or by division of the shoots.
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