Yucca plants are becoming trendy by the day. One of the main reasons is that the plant is relatively easy to maintain, and they don't require much monitoring. The most common question new growers have about the yucca is how often to water the plant. We've researched the best watering practices for the yucca, and in this post, we will share our findings with you.
On average, it's best to water the yucca plant about once every 10 to 12 days. You can place your finger in the soil to determine if it's time for the plant to be watered. The soil should be only slightly damp or on the dry side. In the winter months, watering the yucca every two to three weeks may be more ideal, though it's best to test the soil to determine this.
Providing the right amount of water is important for the yucca plant. Later on in this post, we'll discuss how to determine if a yucca plant is overwatered and how to fix it. Continue reading to learn more about maintaining a yucca plant.
How Do I Know If My Yucca Needs Water?
If your yucca's leaves or trunk out are drying out, chances are the plant is dehydrated. And if the leaves start falling off or start to droop, this can also be a sign of underwatering. Watering the yucca plant a little over every week is sufficient during the summer months. It's usually better to water the plant less during the cooler months of the year, and monthly may even suffice--it grows less during these months.
Here are the steps to water your yucca:
- First, make sure that the plant's soil has completely dried out. To do this, simply stick your index finger in the soil about two and a half-inch deep. If the soil is still moist, do not water the plant. Instead, wait another week or two. If the soil is completely dry, continue to the next steps.
- Take a watering can and pour the water near the base of the yucca plant. It's best not to expose the plant's foliage to the water, as it can cause it to develop slight fungal issues. If you prefer to water the plant from overhead, do this in the morning so that the plant's leaves can dry out in the sunlight throughout the day.
- Pour the water around the plant's soil until you see it appear about one inch above the topsoil. At this point, stop adding water and allow it to drain from the roots. Be sure not to add more than one or two gallons of water per plant. Also, make sure to pour the water evenly around the entire base of the plant, not just in one section.
Can You Over Water A Yucca Plant?
Yes. Overwatering a yucca is definitely possible, and this is actually one of the biggest reasons why a yucca plant may die. Like most succulents, yucca plants are super tolerant of drought-light conditions, which means they can go for a very long time without a watering session. Yuccas typically don't need as much water as you think they do.
If you overwater a yucca plant, you may notice the leaves beginning to turn yellow or the trunk starting to feel a bit spongy to the touch. And if the condition isn't corrected soon, the plant will eventually die. A yucca that's simply overwatered but doesn't have root rot, you can correct this by allowing the soil to dry out completely before watering it again. This can take anywhere from one to two weeks, depending on the last watering session.
However, if you've overwatered the plant to the point where it has root rot, you'll need to fix the fungal issue first.
Signs of Root Rot
Here are a few signs that your yucca tree may have root rot:
- Yellowing leaves that begin to look limp or brownish
- Mushy and swollen stems or wilting leaves that begin to fall off
- The roots inside the pot are thick and feel mushy to the touch
- There is a pungent odor coming from the soil in the pot
Fixing Root Rot
If root rot is treated early, the condition will grow worse, and it'll be harder to cure the plant. To treat the root rot, you'll need to remove the plant from the pot and replace the soil with fresh new soil. You'll also need to cut off any diseased roots using sterile shears so that the healthy roots will grow longer. Be sure to avoid watering the plant for the next one to three weeks.
How Do I Bring My Yucca Plant Back To Life?
Bringing a yucca plant back to life can be quite the challenge, but it's definitely possible. If your plant has suffered from stress due to overwatering and underwatering, low light conditions, or bad temperature conditions, here are a few steps that you can take to get it back healthy again.
Hold the water
The first thing you'll want to do is to stop watering the yucca plant. Keep in mind that these plants are highly susceptible to root and stem rot, which is commonly the result of overwatering. If you notice that your plant's leaves are starting to turn yellow, brown, or droopy, the chances are that the plant is suffering from this disease. The best way to fix this is to stop watering the plants, or in extreme cases, to replace the soil with new dry soil and cut off any diseased roots.
Let there be light
The next thing that you'll want to do is place the yucca plant in a location where it can receive full direct sunlight. Yucca plants thrive on sunlight, and if the plant is in a state of recovery, sunlight can initiate photosynthesis. This will help the plant produce new cells so that it can grow and repair itself. Try placing the plant no more than five feet away from a patio door or window. Letting the plant get a sufficient amount applied for the next two weeks can definitely help it to revitalize itself.
Monitor the plant's environment
It's important to make sure that the plant environment is ideal if it is to recover quickly. This means making sure that the temperature stays between 53 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit and that the air is more on the dryer side as opposed to being too humid. You can also purchase a hygrometer and place it near the plant to help monitor the temperature and humidity within the room. Hygrometers can be bought online or at local nurseries for about $10.
When Should I Repot My Yucca Plant?
The great thing about yucca plants is that they don't require repotting and typically prefer to be snug within their pot. On average, you'll only need to re-pot your yucca plant anywhere from two to three years. This is advantageous as repotting these plants can be a bit laborious. Here are a few signs to determine whether or not your plant needs to be re-potted.
Yucca re-potting signs:
- The roots are starting to fall out of the bottom drainage hole in the pot or container.
- You notice roots beginning to grow out of the topsoil of the plant and even standing inches high from the soil.
- The plant has stopped growing completely or is growing slower than normal.
- You notice minerals or salt building up on the topsoil.
- The soil in the container is beginning to shrink and pull away from the pot.
- The plant seems to dry out faster than normal after a water recession, requiring them more frequently.
- The yucca is starting to appear more top-heavy, and you notice that it tends to fall over at times.
Keep in mind that repotting a large yucca be fairly cumbersome. That being stated, you may need an additional set of hands to successfully remove the plant from the pot and place it in a new pot. Remember to always use fresh topsoil when re-potting the yucca plant.
Wrapping Things Up
We hope that this post has been helpful in providing you with details on how often to water your yucca plant and how to manage its daily hydration levels. Remember, these plants don't require a lot of water to thrive. So it's better if the soil is more on the dry side. They can go weeks without water; just be sure to test the soil every one to two weeks to prevent watering issues.
Be sure to check out our other posts before you go:
How Much Does A Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree Cost?
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