Spineless Yucca (Yucca gigantea) Indoor Care, Propagation and Growing Problems

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Botanical name: Yucca gigantea
Family: Asparagaceae
Common names: Spineless Yucca, Soft-tip Yucca, Blue-stem Yucca, Giant Yucca, Yucca Cane, Itabo

Description

Spineless Yucca (Yucca gigantea) is an ideal False Palm for a hallway or large space in which a woody trunk bears a crown of long, leathery, strap-like, spineless leaves and white bell-shaped flowers may appear on mature plants.

The other common names of Spineless Yucca (Yucca gigantea) are Soft-tip Yucca, Blue-stem Yucca, Giant Yucca, Yucca Cane and Itabo.

Blue-stem Yucca requires a deep, well-drained container and a well-lit spot with some sunshine inorder to thrive.

Giant Yucca can grow in a variety of soils and is drought-tolerant. It grows best in a hot semi-arid climate, so the plants are susceptible to root-rot if overwatered.

Size

Spineless Yucca (Yucca gigantea) can grow to a height of 8-10 ft when grown indoors.

Origin

Yucca gigantea is native to Mexico and Central America. In its natural habitat it can grow to a height of 30-40 ft.

Toxicity

Spineless Yucca (Yucca gigantea) is toxic to both humans and pets.

If ingested, it can cause vomiting in cats and dogs and dermatitis and liver disease in horses. Keep the Blue-stem Yucca from the reach of children and pets.

Where to Buy

If you are looking to add this plant to your collection, check them out on Etsy.

Buy Spineless Yucca online from Etsy

Yucca gigantea Care Indoors

Spineless Yucca (Yucca gigantea) requires very bright light, average warmth and humidity and moderately moist, well-drained, fertile soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.

Light Requirements

Spineless Yucca grows best in bright light with some direct sunlight. It can also grow under direct sunshine. It will also grow under grow lights where natural light is inadequate. Check out these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.

Regularly rotate the pot to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth.

Watering

Water Spineless Yucca liberally during the growing season while allowing the top 2-3 in. of soil to dry out between waterings.

Reduce watering during the cold season to keep the soil slightly moist but do not let the soil dry out completely.

Confirm that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot disease which can result in the eventual death of the plant.

Temperature and Humidity

Average warmth with a minimum of 12⁰C is ideal for Spineless Yucca. A room temperature that is comfortable for you is ideal for this plant.

Keep the Soft-tip Yucca away from draughts as they can cause leaf drop and reduced growth.

Spineless Yucca has no need for high humidity. Average room humidity is ideal for this plant. Regularly clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth.

Fertilizer

Feed Spineless Yucca with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks during the growing period.

Do not feed the Soft-tip Yucca during the cold season as growth is minimal and feeding at this time may lead to fertilizer burn.

Potting Soil

The best soil for Spineless Yucca should be rich in organic matter, loose and free-draining to avoid getting soggy soil. The soil should be loose enough to allow water to drain out fast enough.

Cactus and Succulents mix is ideal as it drains easily. Buy quality Cactus and Succulents Mix from Etsy.

Repotting

Repot Spineless Yucca during the growing season only when the plant has become pot-bound as it grows best when root-bound.

Use a deep pot for the extensive root systems of the Soft-tip Yucca. The pot should be heavy to prevent it from toppling over as the plant can become top-heavy.

Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot. Check out these succulents pots available on Amazon.

Refresh the soil for the large Giant Yucca plants by removing the top 2-4 in. of soil and replacing it with fresh soil.

Pruning

Pruning Spineless Yucca involves removal of dead and dry leaves to maintain the plant neat and discourage pest and disease infestations.

To promote branching, cut back the stem and new shoots will grow just below the cut forming a crown of leaves on the trunk.

The flowers can be removed at any time if desired. Cut away the flower stalk while leaving 3-4 in. of stalk attached to the trunk to avoid wounding the trunk which may result in fungal infections.

Propagation

Spineless Yucca (Yucca gigantea) propagation can be done during the growing season from stem cuttings, offsets or seeds.

How to propagate Spineless Yucca from stems cuttings

Take the stem cuttings from mature wood of Spineless Yucca as it is less likely to rot than the soft stem suttings.

Cut at least 3 in. long stem cutting from a healthy Spineless Yucca and place it in a cool place for a few days to allow it to dry out in order to enhance rooting.

Insert the cutting in moist potting soil and place in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight.

Maintain the soil moist and in about 3-4 weeks, roots will develop on the cutting.

Allow the new Giant Yucca to be well established before transplanting after which routine care can begin.

How to propagate Spineless Yucca from offsets

With sharp sterile scissors, carefully seperate the offset from the mother Spineless Yucca.

Pot the offset in moist, well-drained soil, place the set up in a well-lit place and maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges.

Allow the new Yucca gigantea to be well established before transplanting after which routine care can begin.

How to propagate Spineless Yucca from seeds

Begin by scarring the Spineless Yucca seeds to enhance germination.

Scarring involves gently rubbing the seeds with sandpaper or a file to break (scar) the seed coating.

Sow the scarred seeds 1-2 in. deep in moist, free-draining (sandy) soil.

Place the set up in a warm sunny place and maintain the soil moist through out.

In 1-2 weeks, germination of the seeds should take place.

If the Yucca gigantea seeds do not germination in 1-2 weeks, allow the soil to dry out completely and then resume watering.

Yucca gigantea Growing Problems

Spineless Yucca (Yucca gigantea) has few problems. Most problems are caused by improper care. The problems include plant death, leaf spots and diseases. Read on for more on these problems, their remedies and solutions.

Plant collapse or dying

Plant collapse or death in Spineless Yucca is an indication of root-rot disease which is brought about by soggy soil.

Take the Blue-stem Yucca out of its pot and treat it appropriately for root-rot. Thereafter, ensure the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy and reduce watering in the cold season.

Brown, moist leaf spots

Brown, moist leaf spots in Spineless Yucca are an indication of leaf spot disease which is promoted by overdamp conditions coupled with poor air circulation.

The disease may affect the appearance of the leaves but it does not affect the health of the Giant Yucca plant. Isolate the affected plant and treat it for the leaf spot disease.

Pests

Spineless Yucca is highly resistant to pests but weak plants can be attacked by Scale Insects, Mealy Bugs, Moth Borers and Weevils. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other houseplants and treat it appropriately for the pests. Read on how to identify and get rid of pests in houseplants.