Growing a yucca in a pot

Which varieties to choose?

The choice of species or variety will depend on the destination of your potted yucca: will you place it on a narrow balcony or a small terrace, or conversely, on a large poolside area or a wider space? From the most compact to the gigantic, you will find a Yucca suitable for every situation.

Small-growing yuccas – 60 to 70cm

• the Yucca recurvifolia ‘Bright Star’ with foliage largely marginate in yellow-cream on a blue-green background
• the Yucca filamentosa ‘Ivory Tower’, forming a basal rosette of large blue-green leaves marginate in white-cream

Medium-growing yuccas with basal rosettes – up to 1.50m

The clumps of basal leaves develop at ground level, at the base of the plant.

• the Yucca filamentosa ‘Bright Edge’, with graphic and bright foliage featuring long green leaves marginate in yellow
• the Yucca filamentosa ‘Colour Guard’ with large leaves featuring a wide central cream band, marginate in green
• the Yucca filamentosa, with well-green leaves
• the Yucca flaccida ‘Golden Sword’, with long yellow leaves marginate in blue-green,
• and the Yucca gloriosa ‘Citrus twist®’, with leaves coloured in various shades of green and yellow tinged with red

Upright yuccas with medium growth – up to 1.50m

The upright species bear their rosettes of leaves high up, on often multiple trunks.

• the Yucca gloriosa with well-green leaves,
• the Yucca gloriosa ‘Variegata’, with large stiff and leathery dark blue-green leaves marginate in light yellow

Large-growing yuccas – up to 3.00m

• the Yucca rostrata and Yucca rostrata ‘Sapphire Skies’ with finer and bluer leaves than the type can be grown in pots. They reach over 3m in height at maturity and in open ground, but their slow growth and wide single trunk make them well-suited for pot or container cultivation
• the Yucca elephantipes and its cultivar ‘Jewel’. These specimens with a wide and imposing base have a slow growth rate and are sensitive to frost.

Avoid large-growing specimens like Yucca rigida or aloifolia which have a relatively fast growth rate and will quickly become cramped in pots.

Despite its impressive mature size, Yucca rostrata is one of the species that lends itself well to pot cultivation

→ With many Yuccas available, feel free to consult our complete article: “Choosing a yucca” to help you select those that will suit you best.

What pot for the Yucca?

Terracotta pots, with their authentic and more ecological aspect, are an excellent choice for Yuccas. They can also be glazed or enamelled in lovely tones that will beautifully highlight their foliage.

Adjust the size of the pot or container to the size at ripeness of your Yucca or plan to repot it regularly. The root system must be able to develop properly; otherwise, the plant will not be as beautiful as it should be. A minimum of 50 cm in diameter and depth is therefore recommended, even for the smaller varieties. Ensure the sturdiness of your containers, as they can be damaged by the strong roots when they become cramped.

If you prefer to opt for a plastic or resin pot for more design or lightweight options – which may be understandable for those wishing to place their Yucca on a balcony on higher floors – remember that these materials are not porous and do not allow the substrate and roots to aerate properly.

Finally, you can place your Yuccas in large rectangular containers or large planters to green up the surroundings of a patio, terrace, or city garden.

For a graphic effect, Yuccas can be placed in large contemporary planters

What substrate for my potted Yucca?

Yucca tolerates poor soils without any issues, but in pots, it will appreciate substrates that are a bit richer and, above all, well-drained. You can therefore opt for a potting compost, which can be a lightweight compost for planting on a balcony.

You can also choose a mixture composed of equal parts:

• good garden soil
• coarse sand
• compost

To improve drainage, install a layer of gravel or clay balls at the bottom of the pot.

For planting, Yucca will appreciate a substrate that is quite rich and, above all, well-draining

Planting Yucca in a Pot

Ideally, planting Yucca in a pot or container should be done in spring, between March and April:

• Soak the root ball in water for a few minutes unless it is already well-moistened
• Place a layer of clay balls or gravel at the bottom of the pot and partially fill it with substrate
• Position the root ball in the pot, with the top of the ball a few centimetres below the rim, and fill in with the remaining substrate
• Water
• Apply a mineral mulch on top of the substrate: it will prevent the surface substrate from drying out too quickly and provide an aesthetic appearance

A mineral mulch (pumice, gravel, or pebbles) helps retain moisture from watering and provides an aesthetic finish

Exposure and Location

Install your yucca outdoors on the terrace, balcony, at the entrance of the house, or to punctuate a pathway. It enjoys sunny or partially shaded situations in the hottest regions. It tolerates heat, wind, and the specific conditions of coastal areas: making it ideal for a coastal garden or a balcony by the seaside.

Remember that the yucca has strong and formidable thorns at the tip of each leaf. Consider placing it a little away from high-traffic areas or play zones to avoid injuries. If you are concerned about its prickly nature, trim the tips of each leaf as it grows.

The Yucca will appreciate sunny exposures

Watering Potted Yucca

The substrate for your Yucca needs to be well-draining, so it will tend to dry out quite quickly, especially in full sun. If you ensure it doesn’t lack water during the summer, its growth will be faster. However, make sure the substrate can dry out a bit between waterings, as Yuccas do not tolerate stagnant moisture around the roots.

Nevertheless, the yucca remains a very resilient plant. Even though its root system cannot develop in a pot as it would in the ground, it is capable of withstanding periods of drought.

Caring for Potted Yucca

• Apply an organic fertiliser at the start of the growth of the Yucca
• Remove faded flower stems by cutting them at the base
• Trim dry leaves as growth occurs, especially for upright varieties forming a false trunk. Be sure to cut them at the base of the trunk without pulling them out
• If you wish, you can regularly clean the leaves of your yucca to remove dust and limescale marks
• The Yucca can stay outside all year round, but if your region experiences winters where its hardiness may be tested, particularly for Yucca elephantipes, which is frost-sensitive, winter it in a cold greenhouse or an unheated conservatory to bring it back out when frosts are no longer a concern.

Cleaning the leaves is optional but enhances your potted Yucca