How to Water a Yucca?

Intro: Origins & Benefits of Yucca

Yucca cane is an excellent indoor plant for beginners in gardening. It's highly resilient and low-maintenance. It's sometimes referred to as the "no-water plant." But that's not all: Its evergreen foliage gives it a highly decorative jungle look.

This plant is therefore very popular with students who are not known for having green fingers. It is also often found in offices, as it tolerates forgetfulness and public holidays very well.

This plant is perfectly suited to apartment living, even though it is native to the exotic climate of South America . Yucca is a shrub native to Guatemala and southeastern Mexico . Early settlers in the southwestern United States called its flowers " Lamparas de Dios ," or " Lanterns of God ." These magical flowers appear in late spring and early summer . However, their appearance in indoor cultivation requires special pollination and care.

Regarding the benefits of the plant, some claim that in the past, the indigenous peoples of Central America used it for its medicinal and nutritional properties . The natives of North America used the saponin present in the roots of the yucca to make soap and clothing .

When grown at home, the main advantages of yucca are its slow growth and its tolerance to drought and pests . This hardwood is also very easy to propagate as a gift for your loved ones! Indoors, its size varies between 1.5 and 2.5 meters .

1. Watering the Yucca:

Very drought resistant, Yucca requires very little water.

When to water the Yucca?

Your Yucca needs to be watered every 1 to 2 weeks . This period varies depending on the season and the climate of your home. A houseplant exposed to the sun's rays in summer in a warm region will need at least one watering per week (spring & summer). A green plant in a dark room in winter will see its metabolism slow down and will absorb very little water (fall & winter).

Don't worry, there's a well-known visual cue for this. Place your finger about 3 centimeters below the soil and observe the moisture level . The top layer of soil may dry out between waterings, but you shouldn't let the plant become completely dehydrated.

How to water a Yucca?

• Water the base of the plant thoroughly using a watering can.

• Allow water to drain through the drainage holes at the bottom of the flower pot.

• Then empty the bowl to avoid water stagnation. If you forget this step, the root system of your beloved plant risks rotting and developing germs . This could very well be fatal or very difficult to recover.

Keep in mind that the goal is to hydrate the roots and not the foliage of your tree. To refresh the latter, we recommend a vaporizer . Occasional misting helps humidify the atmosphere . This little extra is all the more necessary if your plant is close to a heat source. We are thinking here of the presence of a radiator or direct exposure to light . If night falls while its foliage is still wet, it is advisable to dry it manually. This helps prevent fungal diseases .

How to recognize an overwatered Yucca?

• When your Yucca's leaves become weak, it means your plant is facing a lack of light or excess water .

• Brown tips at the end of the leaves, surrounded by a yellow halo, means that your plant is suffering from overwatering .

• Yellow or brown leaves all over mean your plant needs to be watered quickly .

• If the base of your Yucca's cane (trunk) begins to rot, stop hydrating immediately .

• If brown and black spots appear on the leaves, it is probably phoma disease .

What to do when your yucca is drowned?

• Drain any standing water at the bottom of the pot.
• Let the yucca dry .
• Cut off dead leaves once they are dry.

Signs of a healthy Yucca:

• It continues its cycle of producing new leaves.
• Its foliage is dense and green .

2. The importance of soil quality for watering.

Soil composition is important to ensure effective drainage while maintaining the minimum water retention needed for absorption. Choosing a good soil is a balancing act , but it's relatively easy to do. A 3:1 mix of sand and peat is generally recommended. The most important thing to do is to place small pebbles or clay balls at the bottom of the pot to insulate the roots from standing water .

3. Are fertilization and fertilizers necessary?

If you want to encourage its growth, you can fertilize your yucca once a year in the spring . Dilute the concentration of your liquid plant fertilizer by half and apply it to already moist soil.

Fertilizing can help your plant bounce back after saving it from overwatering .

BONUS: Grow your indoor jungle now!