While this popular houseplant is often referred to as a "palm tree," it really isn't. In fact, the yucca, or palm lily, is not even remotely related to the true palm tree, but instead belongs to the asparagus family. Furthermore, there is not "the" yucca palm, but about 50 different species. Not all of them form the typical, thick trunk with the green tuft of leaves. Palm lilies, as the yucca is also called, is quite strong-growing even when kept in tubs and should therefore be pruned from time to time.

The yucca palm is very tolerant of pruning

Yucca is very vigorous

No matter how small your yucca may be at the time of purchase, given the right growing conditions, it will grow very quickly. If the yucca feels good due to the right location and good care, it will also grow in a pot between one and five meters, depending on the species. No wonder, then, that many a specimen hits the ceiling after just a few years. Yuccas not only grow in height, but also in width and quickly take up a lot of space from other residents, whether they are plants, animals or people. Even if the leaves grow very narrow, a cut is necessary - otherwise the plant itself does not get enough light and the risk of pest infestation increases.

Shorten yucca - All important information at a glance

Here you will find all the important information about pruning the yucca palm in a practical overview.

  • Yucca are very tolerant of pruning.
  • Even a radical shortening is usually well tolerated.
  • The plants usually sprout again from the sections.
  • Put cut off plant parts in potting soil right away, then they will root better.
  • With strong growth, shortening the trunk and trimming the leaves is essential.
  • Use sharp tools: a sharp knife for the leaves and flowers, and a fine saw for the trunk.
  • If you don't have a saw, you can use a long knife with a serrated blade.
  • It is only important that all tools are sharp and have been disinfected (e.g. with alcohol or over a flame).
  • Wounds on the trunk should be sealed with tree wax (12.96€).
  • This prevents drying out.

Prune yucca in spring if possible

So that your yucca can cope well with the pruning, you should only prune it in spring or until early summer. Then the plant has enough time during the warm and sunny months to regenerate and sprout again. Place the trimmed yucca in a light, warm and sheltered place, preferably on the balcony or terrace. Such a place supports the plant in its renewed growth. From late summer until the following spring, no more pruning should be done, unless it is unavoidable due to a fungicidal or bacterial infection or similar.

tribe

Very large yuccas with a thick trunk can easily be topped in height by simply cutting through the trunk. Since this becomes lignified, you should use a fine saw or a sharp knife with a serrated blade (e.g. a bread knife). Be sure to seal the cut surface, otherwise the plant will dry out from there. You can use tree wax for this purpose, which is available in any garden center for a few euros.

Use trunks for propagation

You can also use the cut stem pieces for propagation, they often root themselves again without any problems and quickly sprout again. This is how the propagation of the palm lily works best via stem sections:

  • Cut approx. 20 to a maximum of 30 centimeters long sections from the trunk.
  • Make a note of where is up and where is down.
  • To avoid confusion, you can mark the upper end with a pen or something similar.
  • Seal the top end with tree wax.
  • Place the lower end in a pot with a mixture of potting soil and sand.
  • Put a cut PET bottle or a glass over it.
  • Place the stem cutting in a light and warm place.
  • Always keep the substrate slightly moist.

After about two to three months, the first new shoots will appear.

cut off leaves

It is perfectly normal for older leaves to dry up and die off from time to time. As a rule, the plant gets rid of these leaves itself. You can also pluck them off. It is much more important to cut off or shorten leaves that are too narrow or overhanging as well as protruding leaves. If the crown of leaves is too dense, the plant no longer gets enough light and develops so-called stinging shoots. You can use a sharp knife or scissors to cut the leaves. But be careful: the leaves are often quite sharp-edged, so that you can injure yourself. It is therefore better to wear gloves. Incidentally, the leaf scoops or leaf cuttings can also be used for propagation.

tips

The roots of the yucca should only be pruned when they are rotting. If possible, do not cut back healthy roots, but place the plant in a larger pot instead. The palm lily often reacts very sensitively to a root cut.

Category:

Trees