Yucca – Pruning, Winter Care and Fertilizing

Yucca

Pruning in a conventional way is not needed on this plant. It has a central crown that most of the growth comes out of, care should be taken not to damage this growth point. Over time the flower stack will come from that point. The care for this plant is mainly removing the old, dried out basal leaves. Spring is normally the clean up time. As the plant matures you may see small side shoots coming up, try to promote there growth, the center plant will only last for a number of years. The new shoots will over time take over.

By fertilizing young shrubs you can increase both the size and the amount of flowers on the plant. Granular, liquid or stake type fertilizers can be used. Granular types should be worked into the soil around the plant at a rate of 2 pounds or 2 pints per 100 square feet of planting bed. This method of fertilization should only be done once a year, and is best done in late fall after leaf drop, or in early spring before bud break.

Liquid fertilizers (such as Miracle Gro) are mixed with water and applied the same as you would water the plant (see product for specific details). This should be done three or four times per year starting in late April and ending in mid July. Stake type fertilizers can be used following the directions on the package. With any of the above techniques a balanced mix should be used, 20-20-20 or 20-30-20 or 18-24-16. Organic fertilizers, like manure, can also be used with good results. The material should be worked into open soil at a rate of one bushel per one 6′ shrub or 100 sq. ft. of bed area.

These plants need little winter care.