Yucca or palm lilies are popular and easy-care indoor plants that come in different types and designs. The plants quickly green up any living room, but react quickly with yellow leaves and brown leaf tips if care is not taken. This not only looks ugly, but is also a sign that the plant is not doing well. The following article explains how to find out and fix the causes.
The yucca palm does not like too much sun at once
Yucca is not a tropical palm tree
First of all, although the plant is marketed as a yucca "palm" or yucca, it is still not a species of palm - in fact, these groups of plants are not even remotely related. While most palm species grow in tropical rainforests, where it is humid and warm year-round, many yucca species come from the deserts and semi-deserts of the southern United States. It is hot and dry here during the summer months, but it can get very cold in winter. The right care for the yucca can also be derived from these conditions, although this also depends on the specific species - not all yuccas like the same growing conditions.
causes and their elimination
There are a number of causes of brown leaf tips, most of which are due to improper care.
Too much or too little water
As desert plants, yuccas are very sensitive to moisture. During the hot summer months, the plants in their natural environment only get little water, which is why some species are even succulent - they store water and thus survive dry periods. Of course, this does not apply to all yuccas. Basically, however, the plants should not be watered too much and high humidity (e.g. by spraying with water) is also harmful. Water about once a week and only when the substrate has already dried on the surface. Be sure to do a finger test before watering!
Incorrect hibernation with dry and warm heating air
In principle, yuccas should not be sprayed with water, but there is one exception: In winter, the plants need additional moisture due to the warm and very dry room air caused by the heating air, which is why you should mist them with low-lime water about once or twice a week . However, most Yucca species hibernate best in bright light, but cool and frost-free at around 10 °C. Some yuccas are even frost hardy and can stay outside in mild regions even in winter. In general, all yuccas feel comfortable in a bright and sheltered spot on the balcony or terrace during the hot summer months.
Lack of light / sunburn
However, you should only get the plants used to the sun slowly, because they quickly get sunburned with the result that the leaves get brown tips and / or spots. On the other hand, too little light also leads to brown leaf tips and/or yellow leaves - pay particular attention to this with yuccas in front of the windows. If the leaves facing away from the window turn yellow or brownish, they are not getting enough light.
tips
For spraying and pouring, use warm water that is as low in lime as possible or lime-free. Too much lime also causes discoloration of the leaves.