The palm lily, botanically correctly also called yucca and colloquially - and incorrectly - called yucca palm, is one of the most popular indoor plants. This is hardly surprising, since the exotic-looking plant is easy to care for and also very fast-growing. However, the yucca naturally needs a lot of light.

The yucca palm likes it light

Not too much and not too little: the right amount of brightness

The yucca comes from the warm, dry and sunny deserts and semi-deserts of Central America, where the approximately 50 different species are primarily found in the southern USA and in Mexico. The yucca also needs a lot of light as a houseplant, which is why it is best placed directly in front of a large window. A bright but not directly sunny location is ideal. A bright, only semi-shady spot is often tolerated. You will notice a lack of light when, after a while, the leaves of the yucca - often starting from the bottom - turn yellow, die off and finally fall off.

Allow the yucca to get used to the sun before putting it outside

You can also place your yucca outside during the summer months. The plant also prefers a light spot here, although you can also place it in full sun. However, this should only be done after you have slowly got used to it, otherwise burns and unsightly brown spots on the leaves can occur.

Select the appropriate artificial light source

Especially during the dark season or in a generally rather dark location, the yucca can quickly suffer from a lack of light. Due to the lack of photosynthesis, too little light leads to weak growth and increased susceptibility to diseases and pest infestation. However, you can compensate for the lack of sunlight with artificial light, although not every light source is suitable. Even if the desk lamp may seem very bright to you personally, the light from your yucca can still be too dark or in the wrong color spectrum. When choosing the artificial light source, it is best to pay attention to these characteristics:

  • Plants need light from the violet and orange-red spectrum
  • special plant lamps are suitable for this, but also
  • Fluorescent lamps, compact fluorescent lamps and some metal halide lamps
  • The lamp must not radiate too much heat
  • it should also be flexible to adjust
  • and placed in close proximity to the plant.

tips

Yellow leaves on the yucca are not only an indication of too little light, but can also be caused by incorrect watering behavior. An excess of moisture and especially waterlogging also initially leads to yellowing of the leaves.

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Trees