Home Gardening House Plants How to Care for a Yucca Plant This spiky plant can thrive as a houseplant or part of your garden. By Lisa Milbrand Lisa Milbrand Lisa Milbrand has more than 20 years of experience as a lifestyle writer and editor, writing thousands of articles on topics that help people live better and healthier lives for Real Simple, Parents, and dozens of other top publications. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Published on July 18, 2023 In This Article View All In This Article Planting Yucca Light Requirements Soil and Watering Common Problems Propagating Yucca Plants Frequently Asked Questions Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Grumpy Cow Studios/Getty Images Yucca plants are an exciting plant that can either add beauty to your outdoor landscape or indoor plant collection, with its spiky leaves and big, dramatic size. (It can grow up to 30 feet tall outdoors!) And fortunately, the yucca plant can be a super easy-care, no-stress plant for your garden or home decor. Here's how to ensure that your yucca plant thrives for years to come. How to Care for Potted Plants Planting Yucca If you're planting your yucca plant outdoors, early spring is the best time of year to plant a yucca. And spring is also the best time to repot an indoor yucca plant—though you'll rarely need to do that. (As a slow-growing plant, you'll likely only need to repot a yucca plant once every few years—and only to a pot that's just slightly larger than the root ball.) Depending on the variety, yucca plants can be planted outdoors in zones 4 through 11 as a perennial—as a desert plant, they can deal with very wide temperature fluctuations. 25 Types of Palm Trees You Can Grow Indoors Light Requirements Yucca plants need plenty of sunshine to thrive. Plant them in areas of full sun in your yard, and ensure that indoor plants are in bright indirect light or full light. Just watch for brown or white spots on the leaves, which could indicate that they've received too much sun. Soil and Watering It's no surprise that yucca plants are drought-tolerant, thanks to their desert origins, which makes them a great choice for arid areas of the country. They will get soggy if they're planted in very moist soil or standing water. Wait until the soil is dry before you water the plant, and water at the roots to help avoid fungus growth. 9 Best Houseplants for Beginner Plant Parents Yucca grows best in sandy, well-drained soil that mimics the desert—so ensure that when you do water your yucca houseplant, the pot offers plenty of drainage. Common Problems Your yucca plant's leaves can turn yellow, which may indicate that your plant hasn't received enough light, has been overwatered, or may be dealing with an insect infestation. Yucca plants can be attacked by common plant pests like aphids, spider mites, and mealybugs. Insecticidal soap can help you deal with an infestation. Fungus can also grow on yucca plants, creating black spots on your plant. You can treat your plant with neem oil to help fight the fungus. How to Use Neem Oil on Plants to Control Pests Propagating Yucca Plants The easiest way to create a new yucca plant is to cut away a green pup shoot, which grows along the base of the plant. Use a gardening knife to cut it away, along with some of the parent plant's roots. Replant it in a new pot, and water to keep it moist (not wet!) until you see new growth. Frequently Asked Questions Are yucca plants toxic? Yucca plants contain saponins, which can cause vomiting in dogs and cats, and liver disease or dermatitis in horses, according to the SPCA. Humans also react poorly to saponins, though reactions tend to be milder.You also should be mindful of the yucca spikes, which can be sharp enough to pierce the skin—so place your yucca plant it in an area away from heavy foot traffic. How long can yucca plants live? They can thrive for decades outdoors, but a yucca houseplant will likely only last five years. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit