There are about 50 different species of yucca, which vary greatly in their origin. Some tend to grow in mild coastal regions, others in harsh mountainous areas. So there are hardy palm lilies and those that do not tolerate frost.
Which species of yucca tolerate frost?
The candle palm lily (Yucca gloriosa), for example, is hardy and can withstand frost down to -20 °C. This palm lily can easily be planted in the garden. Only during a long frost period should it get a little winter protection in the form of bark mulch or leaves. Much more important, however, is protection against too much water. It does not tolerate too much rain or waterlogging over a long period of time.
The thready palm lily (Yucca filamentosa) is also hardy down to around -15 °C. Only at lower temperatures does it need winter protection. It originally comes from North America and is just as easy to care for as the other palm lilies. She prefers to be sunny and warm, likes to be on the south side of the house. The flowering period lasts from June to October.
Give your Yucca filamentosa enough space, it can reach a diameter of over a meter. The beautiful inflorescences grow up to three meters long. After flowering, cut off the inflorescences. The Yucca filamentosa does not like strong or cold winds. You should protect your plant well from this, especially in winter.
The wintering of potted plants
Since potted plants are usually much more sensitive to frost than plants in the garden bed, you should also protect them better. Wrap the plant in bubble wrap or special fleece that you can get from a garden store. Overwintering in a greenhouse or conservatory is also recommended here.
Potted plants generally don't grow as tall as free-growing plants, so they don't require an inordinate amount of space in their winter quarters. Even in winter, water your yucca whenever the soil becomes dry.
The essentials in brief:
- leave frost hardy varieties in the garden
- protect from too much rain
- It is better to overwinter potted plants in a cool and dry place
- Do not keep indoor plants too warm
tips and tricks
You should also protect a hardy palm lily from prolonged frost and heavy rain.