When most people hear the keyword "yucca", they probably think of the popular houseplant with the palm-like tuft of leaves and the typical trunk. There are around 50 different species, some of which are even hardy - such as the Yucca filamentosa, which is also often cultivated in German gardens and has inflorescences that are up to three meters high. Its relative, the Yucca elephantipes, on the other hand, is used to a warm climate and therefore feels most comfortable indoors - except in the summer months, when you can also place the plant on the balcony.
The yucca palm likes to spend the summer on the balcony
For better plant health: yucca on the balcony
If the summer is warm and accompanied by not too violent drops in temperature, the indoor yucca feels very comfortable on a sheltered spot on the balcony or terrace. It should be warm there and there should be no draughts. You should also protect the plant from rain and from too intense sunlight, otherwise there will be unsightly spots on the leaves. Slowly get your yucca used to a fresh air location and initially prefer a bright but not directly sunny location. The fresh air is good for all plants, they will thank you with better health.
Outdoor yuccas sometimes develop flowers
Another benefit of intermittent outdoor cultivation is that indoor yuccas cultivated this way will sometimes sprout flowers - especially if they are also kept cool during the winter months. Many people don't even know that the Yucca elephantipes can flower at all: it can, but needs a period of rest beforehand.
Clear the room yucca into the house in good time
In contrast to species such as Yucca filamentosa and Yucca gloriosa, the Yucca elephantipes is not hardy at all and should therefore be brought into the house long before the first frost. You can of course hibernate in a warm living room, but it is better to rest at temperatures between five and a maximum of ten degrees Celsius in a bright and not directly sunny location. During this time, the plant is not fertilized and watered only a little.
tips
Pests such as spider mites or mealybugs often nest in the leaves of the yucca, especially during the winter months and at the beginning of spring. Check the plant regularly for an infestation, so that you can - i. H. before the annoying little animals have multiplied too much - can intervene.