When most people think of the term "Yucca" they think of the popular houseplant with the thick stem and the typical, palm-like tuft of leaves. In fact, the family of yuccas or palm lilies is very large, comprising around 50 different species. These plants, which are native to very different habitats, are often only suitable for indoor cultivation, but sometimes they are also frost hardy. Yuccas cultivated in pots, on the other hand, should always winter frost-free.
Some yucca species are very hardy
Hardy garden yuccas
The Stringy Yucca (Yucca filamentosa)
For example, the popular Yucca (Yucca filamentosa) is frost hardy. Its flower stalks, which are covered with numerous bell-shaped flowers, can grow up to two meters (and sometimes even more) high and look extremely impressive every year when they bloom between June and October. The yucca species, originally from North America, is frost hardy down to minus 15 °C and only needs light winter protection at even lower temperatures. Very young specimens first have to get used to the temperatures and should therefore initially overwinter in cold house conditions. When planting, make sure that you choose a bright and, above all, sheltered location - the thready palm lily does not like rain or draughts.
The candle palm lily (Yucca gloriosa)
The Yucca gloriosa, also known as the candle palm lily, is even less sensitive to frost than the Yucca filamentosa: This species can even tolerate temperatures of minus 20 °C and only needs a light frost protection of bark mulch and leaves during longer cold periods. On the other hand, as with all palm lilies, moisture is more problematic. Make sure the soil is loose and well-drained, and give the plant shelter from too much moisture if it rains frequently.
When is winter protection necessary?
Both yucca species do not need winter protection in normal winters. Only when the temperatures drop very low or it is very cold for a long time should you mulch the root area and, above all, wrap the thready palm lily with garden fleece or reed mats. Above all, make sure that the roots are not damaged. If the above-ground parts of the plant are frozen back, you can cut them off and the plant will sprout again - provided the roots have remained healthy.
Overwinter yuccas properly in pots
Potted plants are exposed to freezing temperatures to a much greater extent than specimens planted out, after all there is no layer of soil that protects them from the cold. Therefore, you should also overwinter hardy palm lilies during the cold season under cold house conditions. This means you place the plants in a cool and bright room, with temperatures ideally between five and ten degrees Celsius. Container plants should be cleared into their winter quarters before the first frost. In mild winters or if you don't have a place to overwinter indoors, you can also pack the plants with suitable materials. Above all, the pot with the roots should be protected from frost.
tips
The popular room yucca (Yucca elephantipes) is not hardy, but can also be outdoors in the warm and dry summer months. However, slowly acclimate the plant to the new environment.