Yucca care, the perfect indoor plant
It is one of the most valued and common indoor plants in homes. Beyond its beauty with a tropical point, the care of the yucca makes it a perfect candidate to decorate any space with nature. Not only will it complicate our lives a little, but also, with little attention, it will show off its characteristic perennial color throughout the year. A perfect and absolutely irresistible tandem!
Belonging to the Agavaceae family, it is native mainly to the tropical areas of America. However, and with few exceptions in the more than 50 varieties it has, its ability to acclimatize and its resistance have made it a perfect plant, also, to grow outdoors in Mediterranean climates. A detail that gives us an important clue about its resistance and rusticity.
But apart from this, let us know something. Due to its woody appearance crowned by leaves with a layout similar to that of palm trees, yucca is an ideal plant to add an exotic and elegant touch to any interior. A plant that, with proper care, can reach two meters to become, without a doubt, the center of attention.
5 KEYS IN THE CARE OF YUCA
Usually, the yucca that we usually enjoy indoors responds to a very defined scheme. It usually has two or three woody trunks which, due to its appearance, make this plant popularly known as the elephant’s foot. These ramifications do not generate new ones over time but, if we follow the care of the yucca to the letter, they do grow in height and increase the leafiness of their leaves.
It is precisely this slender plant structure that gives it that refined air that we are looking for in any living room or even a bedroom. And it’s its appearance coupled with its ease of cultivation that makes yucca one of the perfect houseplants to gift even to a gardening novice.
So let’s find out what you need to show off your signature green. Only then will we realize why it has so many fans among plant lovers.
1. Lots of light, crucial for the well-being of the cassava
We start with what is, without a doubt, the absolute priority in the care of yucca. As much as it has become accustomed to living in our latitudes, it carries in its DNA that it is a tropical plant and, as such, it demands to be in a highly illuminated space. What’s more: it appreciates having a good daily dose of direct sun, so a perfect location is next to a window. During the summer months, it is advisable to take our plant outside so that it is exposed to as much light as possible.
And what happens when our yucca does not receive the amount of light it needs? First of all, it will stunt your growth. If the lack of lighting is very pronounced, it will lose the intense green of its leaves and we may even see spots on its surface.
2. Warm temperatures, ideal for its growth
Its resistant plant character means that it can live in a wide range of temperatures. Although the ideal is to have it between 18 and 23 degrees, it can be exposed up to 35 without being too much of a problem. During the cold months, it is recommended to have it in a cool space that is around 10 degrees.
Unlike other plants of the same family, its tolerance to cold is rather relative. Although it is true that it can resist some light frost, it is not the ideal scenario for it. For this reason and if our climate has winters in which the thermometer drops, the ideal is to put it inside the house.
3. Fortnightly subscription in indicated months, key to its growth
As with many other plants, during the spring and summer months our yucca will focus all its energy on growing. A task that will necessarily require our help.
In order for it to maintain its good rate of development, it will be essential to apply a dose of fertilizer every 15 days between March and October. An ally that, to fulfill its role, must be specific for green plants and, with a view to promoting absorption, it is recommended that it be dissolved in the irrigation water.
4. Moderate irrigation, fundamental in the care of cassava
Although it is not usually part of the list of drought-resistant plants, the truth is that yucca is a perfect candidate for that ranking. Due to its origins, it is prepared to endure in conditions of lack of water, so forgetting to water it will not be one of our biggest concerns.
The same does not happen with excess. In fact, subjecting it to excessive watering or leaving the typical bottom plate with water can rot its roots. For this reason and when in doubt, the ideal is to water it thoroughly and when the substrate is completely dry. Once this task is finished, it is important to remove the excess from the lower plate.
To follow a guideline, in summer we will have to water once a week while in the winter months one watering every 20 days will suffice.
5. Transplant every two years, important for its development
The last of the cassava care that we must contemplate. Since it is a fast-growing plant, it will require space to be able to develop properly. For this reason, and always in the case of adult plants, the ideal is to rigorously carry out the transplant to a slightly larger pot every two years.
When transplanting, there are some aspects that we must take into account. First of all, it is important that the new pot has depth. Only in this way will our yucca be able to correctly lay its roots. In addition to this detail, it is essential to carry out a good drainage to avoid the pocketing of water. Remember: its roots do not tolerate excess water. Finally and to help in this aspect, it is essential to opt for a substrate for green plants. Due to its composition, it will help eliminate excess irrigation water.
And ready! Following these cares of the cassava, we can enjoy it without frights. A perfect companion and, above all, undemanding. Can you ask for more?
