Actually, the term yucca "palm" is a wrong one, because despite the quite palm-like tuft of leaves, the yucca is not a species of palm tree. Instead, the popular houseplant belongs to the agave family. Yuccas are very vigorous and can get quite tall - so it's no wonder that a piece can sometimes break off. Fortunately, the plant can usually be saved, as can the piece that has broken off.
The yucca palm easily survives accidents
Treat injured yucca
Regardless of whether it is just a small shoot or a larger piece of the trunk, breaking off is not a broken leg. Yuccas are very robust and simply continue to grow at the point where they break or suddenly develop shoots in other places. Even the piece that breaks off does not have to go in the trash, you can simply plant it in soil like a cutting and thus gain a new plant. However, the point of fracture should definitely be treated, otherwise it can serve as a gateway for fungi and other pathogens. Minor injuries - which occur when, for example, only a smaller side shoot has broken off - do not require treatment. However, you can sprinkle the spot with some cinnamon powder, as this has a disinfecting effect. Larger fractures, on the other hand, should be straightened out with a sharp knife and then sealed with tree wax (€12.96).
Root broken shoots like cuttings
The tree wax ensures that the fracture does not dry out and die at this point. Large open wounds are also a problem because they are extremely attractive to fungi and bacteria. The broken off shoot or the broken off piece of trunk are straightened at the break point. You can then root it like a conventionally cut cutting. The easiest way is to root directly in the ground, but water rooting often causes the fragment to rot.
This is how the rooting of the fragment succeeds:
- Straighten the breakage with a sharp and disinfected knife.
- If necessary, withered and injured leaves are also removed.
- Plant the broken piece in a pot with soil.
- A mixture of sand (play sand) and potting soil is best.
- Place the plant pot in a bright and warm place, for example directly in front of a window.
- Keep the substrate slightly moist, but be careful:
- Too much water quickly causes yuccas to rot.
- Leafy cuttings can also be sprayed with a spray bottle
- and thus kept sufficiently moist.
After a few months, the first new shoots will appear.
tips
If the cutting becomes soft in one place or otherwise makes an unhealthy impression, you can cut off the affected area and replant the section for rooting.