The yucca palm is a sculptural classic houseplant—check out these yucca plant care instructions!

The yucca palm (Yucca guatemalensis, also Y. gigantea and Y. elephantipes) is also known as the spineless yucca. This sturdy, sculptural plant belongs to the agave family and, like other succulents, tolerates slight dryness better than constant moisture.

Yucca plant care

Growing medium

Plant your yucca palm in cactus mix, or mix sand into regular potting soil. You can also grow it in a self-watering pot.

Growing location

A yucca palm thrives in a very bright, even sunny spot. You can keep it outdoors in the summer.

In the fall, when daylight decreases, the plant may turn several older leaves yellow at once—sometimes 3–5 at a time.

Temperature

Native to Mexico and Guatemala, the yucca palm does well in normal room temperature. In winter, it can also be kept in a cool, bright space at about 5°C.

Watering a yucca palm

Water it regularly, but let the soil dry thoroughly between waterings. If the soil stays moist for too long, some roots may rot, which first appears as the yellowing of the lowest leaves. Water sparingly if the plant is kept in a cool spot during winter. A consistent watering schedule for yucca palm helps prevent both over- and under-watering.

Fertilizing a yucca palm

Feed it with a mild fertilizer every couple of weeks from spring to fall.

Repotting

A yucca palm doesn’t need to be repotted every year—only as needed. It generally does well in a relatively small pot.

Pruning a yucca palm

You can shorten the plant by cutting its trunk. After pruning, buds on the trunk sprout and produce new leaf rosettes.

Prune in spring when the days get longer. It’s best to apply wax or slightly thickened paraffin to the top of the trunk to prevent plant diseases. The green tip cuttings can be rooted directly in soil.

Propagating a yucca palm

You can propagate a yucca palm using top cuttings, side shoots, or trunk segments.