Yucca (Spineless Yucca)

Yucca gigantea · Houseplant

Quick answer: Water: Every 2–3 weeks, when mostly dry (estimated). Light: Full sun or the brightest window available. Soil: Very free-draining; potting mix with plenty of perlite or sand. Pets: ASPCA lists yucca as toxic to cats, dogs and horses because of saponins; cats and dogs that chew it may vomit. Keep it out of reach. If in doubt, ask your vet.

A sturdy plant with stiff, sword-like leaves on a thick trunk. Indoors the spineless yucca stays far smaller than in the wild, needs very little water and gives a bold, upright accent to a bright room.

Care at a glance

Light

Full sun or the brightest window available

Water

Drought tolerant; let most of the soil dry out

Soil

Very free-draining; potting mix with plenty of perlite or sand

Temperature

Grows best at 70–90 °F; bring indoors below 50 °F

Pot size

Only slightly larger than the root ball (estimated)

Pot

Heavy pot with drainage holes to stop tipping

Growth

Slow indoors; 15–30 ft tall outdoors in warm climates

Lifespan

Long-lived; many years indoors (estimated)

When?

Repot in spring. In summer it can go outside in a sunny spot; bring it back in before nights fall below 50 °F.

Step by step

1. Give it the sunniest window you have; turn the pot now and then for even growth.
2. Pot in a gritty, fast-draining mix in a heavy container.
3. Water deeply, then wait until most of the soil has dried.
4. Water even less in winter, when growth slows.
5. Feed sparingly in spring and summer, following the product label.
6. Keep it away from cold drafts and sudden temperature changes.
7. Pull off dry lower leaves to keep the trunk tidy.
8. Cut a tall trunk back in spring; it sprouts new leaf heads.

Common problems

Pets

ASPCA lists yucca as toxic to cats, dogs and horses because of saponins; cats and dogs that chew it may vomit. Keep it out of reach. If in doubt, ask your vet.

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