Don showed how to prune the yucca without ruining its architectural shape. How to plant: Soak seeds for 24 hours prior to planting to help with germination, or rub with sand paper to scar the surface. Over time, most species of yucca will grow into room-devouring monsters, but this takes long enough that they provide years of durable … Keep the soil evenly moist, but not soggy. The photo above are from my client’s front yard. Grow Red Yucca in full sun in well-drained soil, preferably a bit sandy. Yucca plants (shrubs variety) can be grown both indoors and out. Hesperaloe parviflora. Fill a 4 to 6-inch diameter pot with a mix 75% potting soil and 25% sand, hand mix soil … For maximum effect … Soil testing kits are available at a garden center or nursery. Lifespan: Perennial. So, place the plants 2 to 3 feet away from sidewalks, walkways, or driveways. Plant red yucca in full sun where it has room to grow without needing to be trimmed back. In fact, it can quickly outgrow its original position in the garden, as seen in our segment. University of Arizona College of Agriculture & Life Sciences: Red Yucca-Drought Tolerant and Colorful, "Palms Won't Grow Here and Other Myths: Warm-Climate Plants for Cooler Areas"; David A. Francko; 2003, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: Hesperaloe parviflora(Red yucca). Red yucca plants don't need regular watering after the first year and are able to survive on the water provided by rain. When older leaves die on a mature yucca plant, simply cut them away, usually in the spring. Red yucca plants don't need regular watering after the first year and are able to survive on the water provided by rain. Growing Red Yucca Plants. Feed with a general purpose fertilizer in the spring, before the new growth starts. Add 20-30 percent by volume of extra grit to John Innes No 2 for good drainage. Especially when it results in turning an attractive plant ‘ugly’? But like yucca, it grows well in hot arid areas. Choose a planting site that receives full sunlight throughout the day and consists of well-drained, moist soil. While most Yuccas have sharp edges on their leaves to prevent this, the Red Yucca is not a true Yucca and has unarmed leaves. When you pair beauty and low-maintenance in a single type of plant – that is one that I highly recommend. 3 Reviews Add Your Review. Fortunately, this is a relatively hardy plant that can survive even the most inexperienced gardeners. Red Yuccas thrive in drought conditions. Dark olive-green leaves with no thorns or spines are sparsely covered with fibrous strands along the margins. The Red Yucca, also called coral yucca, hummingbird yucca, red-flower false yucca, and samandoque, forms a large clump of leaves that are 2 to 3 feet long, but only about an inch wide. If you have yuccas, it should grow under the same conditions. Allow 2 to 3 inches between the crown of the plant and the gravel to allow … The photo above are from my client’s front yard. A hardy plant that is drought- and cold-tolerant, red yucca sports grassy, clumping foliage and bright flowers that bring color and texture to the landscape. All mine are red, and I can find the yellow ones here, other than the ones the city randomly planted in a row of red ones. I promise not to sell or share your email with anyone ever! Mature Size: The flower stalks can grow to 6' high. Seed grown. Outdoor planting. If you hit a root, do not cut it, simply dig around it until you can remove it with the plant. Red Yucca. Avoid putting fertilizer on the plant's leaves, which will burn them. First of all, its flowers are beautiful and appear May through September and hummingbirds find them irresistible. Her work appears on several different websites. This perennial evergreen blooms from early summer until fall with clusters of red to pink flowers on 5-foot-tall spikes. Spread mulch around the plant to prevent weed growth and retain soil moisture. They are, however, interesting and slow-growing houseplants that have the added benefit of being extremely drought tolerant. After the first year, water only when there is little to no rainfall. In garden landscapes, yucca plants grow as ornamental shrubs and will occasionally flower. Some grow into trees while others remain small and appropriate for houseplants. Water your plant weekly, but only enough to slightly moisten the soil, and routinely prune off withered leaves to care for … Horticulturist, Landscape Consultant, Certified Arborist, Speaker, and Garden Writer. What a deserving staple for our SW landscapes. Now growing a few from seed in Nor Cal. What I recommend is to simply take them out and replace them when that happens. AZ Plant Lady, LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees. You don’t even have to buy a new red yucca to replace them with. Water newly planted red yucca one to two times a week for the first year. Heavy Pots are Required. Even when not in flower, its grass-like succulent foliage add texture to the landscape. Simply separate a small section of the overgrown plant that you just removed and re-plant it. **You can read more about my past experience with this type of pruning to red yucca that was done by a member of my crew in a previous blog post: Red or yellow yucca thrive in areas with reflected sun and heat. Jan 24, 2018 - Plant Red Yucca in full sun in well-drained soil, preferably a bit sandy. Can’t wait til they are big enough to bloom? How to grow Yucca 1. Yucca shrubs and trees thrive in dry sandy soil and plenty of sunshine. If you want to harvest the seed, wait until the pods dry completely on the plant, then cut off the entire stalk and break the pods open to collect the seeds. To establish a deep and extensive root system, follow a regular watering schedule during its first growing season. Generally, when growing Yucca, we can use Garden soil and river sand mixed in a ratio of 5:3 as the substrate, and apply sufficient organic fertilizer to the soil as the base fertilizer. 4040. After flowering, woody tan-brown seedpods appear. My taste must be wanting though because I quite like the look of the trimmed example. I really like how they look when planted in groups of three. In addition to the more traditional red/pink colored flowers, there is also a yellow variety available. Marie Louise is passionate about her writing, bringing personal knowledge and experience on Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, chronic pain conditions, parenting, research, alternative medicine and animals. Yucca roots can grow deep into the ground, and you’ll want to remove as many as possible as you’re digging. Over time, red yucca can become overgrown. Container cultivation. Prep your planting space. Description Form: A succulent treated as a shrub. Growing A Red Yucca From Seed In 5 Steps 1. Spread a 3-inch layer of gravel mulch over the soil surrounding red yucca plants to insulate the soil, increase moisture retention and deter the growth of weeds. Water newly planted red yucca one to two times a week for the first year. If you kill a yucca, it's probably due to overwatering. Full sun. What is new about this beautiful plant has been the realization of its tolerance to sub-zero winter temperatures! The narrow leaves at the base usually cover an area 2' high and 3' wide. I fell in love with red yucca on a visit to Austin, TX. 2. I love how this yellow yucca was placed between garage doors, don’t you? I have to admit that I really like these. Feel the soil. Their requirements are few…. They are the same as red yucca with the flower color being the only difference. Depends on the climate. They are truly unique plants with lovely blooms! Caring for yuccas like this helps the rest of the plant look nicer, and allows the newer leaves to grow. **When adding multiple plants of the same kind – focus on adding them in odd numbered groupings such as 3 or 5. It is almost impossible to find a plant that will do well in this unforgiving location. Caring for yucca plants is fairly simple. As far as houseplants go, yucca probably eclipsed by the similar-looking Dracaena genus, which is often mistaken for yucca. Red yucca. Plant at a depth of one to two seed lengths. Red yucca plants are extremely low-maintenance. And I want a yellow line so bad! Dividing yuccas to control their growth works on the same principle. Next, transplant the shoot to another location outdoors where it will get plenty of sun. What I recommend is to simply take them out and replace them when that happens. Hardier yucca like Yucca gloriosa and Y. filamentosa require full sun and any well drained soil. Red yucca prefers full sun, but can take part shade. They have no thorns, unlike true yucca, but they have thread-like thick hairs curling off the leaf edges. Planting Red Yucca close together also gives a more dramatic show when the arching flower wands are in bloom. Plant Red Yucca close together since they are rather sparse and their natural openness encourages weeds around them. An attractive yellow flowering variety is also available. Mature red yuccas will reach a height of 3 to 5 feet with a 4- to 6-foot spread, so choose a growing location that is large enough to accommodate its mature size. Despite what its name suggests, Red yucca is not a true yucca. Though I'm always trying to design landscapes without using even one – but hard for me and harder for some clients, who are just now getting on-board with xeriscape. Apply a complete fertilizer, containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, in early spring before new leaf shoots emerge from the soil. Red yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora) is a grass-like ornamental often grown as an accent plant in the home landscape. Feed with a general-purpose fertilizer in the spring before the new growth starts. After the first year, water only when there is little to no rainfall. They can even grow well in nutrient-poor, rocky soil. 4. Thanks for sharing your pictures. This soil should be a mixture of 50% sand and 50% organic materials. Illumination temperature. What’s not to love about this fabulous plant? This will hold too much moisture against the woody stem and may cause damage. *Please note that I cannot answer individual gardening questions. Bigger varieties are planted outdoors whilst smaller ones can occupy spaces indoors.Grow in indirect light close to a South facing window (1.5 m, 5 feet distance).If you have an East facing window then place them on the window shelf so that they get the morning light. How fast does red yucca grow? The rhizomes sprout new baby plants, which is why yucca spreads so efficiently that some people consider it a pest. Thanks for this article! The showy, flower stalks grow three to six feet tall and last for a long time. When growing a yucca in a container you need to make sure that it is given the proper care so that it will thrive. Red yucca: Hesperaloe parviflora (distant yucca relative) Full sun, well-drained soil, tolreates drought and heat when established. Yucca elephantipes, more commonly called the spineless or soft-tipped yucca, is a fast growing member of the agave family. Cutting the root will make it more difficult to remove. They also do nicely in containers. Fill each cup with soil and sow the seedlings in the middle of the tray about 1/2-inch into the soil. All you need to do is to prune off dead flower stalks in the fall. I’d love to share with you just a few of the many reasons to add red yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora) to your landscape…. Growing Hesperaloe parviflora: Red Yucca. Soil demand. https://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Red-Yucca-flowers-2.jpg, http://www.azplantlady.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/favicon.png, Painted walls are a great way to add color in the, Fun fact - Alyssum (Lobularia maritima), not only, Anytime you encounter Lantana in full bloom, you m, Guess what? 4. Tall spikes hold deep rose-pink flowers almost year-round; effective plant for rock garden, landscape accent, or in containers. Leaf retention: Evergreen. Cut off leaves lying on the ground and dead flower stalks. Each flower bud will produce a seed pod containing many flat, black seeds. SKU. Noelle Johnson When it comes to low-maintenance plants, red yucca is first on the list. When caring for yucca plants, it is a good idea to wear gloves to protect your hands from the sharp leaves. Keep the soil evenly moist, but not soggy. An evergreen perennial, best used with other desert-like plants. Don’t prune the foliage like the homeowner did in the photo above – why create more maintenance then is needed? You don’t even have to buy a new red yucca to replace them with. To grow yucca, start by finding a healthy shoot on a mature yucca plant. Space red yucca plants at least 3 to 4 feet apart. In frost-prone areas tender yucca species can be grown in a cool greenhouse or conservatory. 1. To establish a deep and extensive root system, follow a regular watering schedule during its first growing season. Mixing different varieties of the red and yellow yucca plants together produce a showy color combination in spring. Work your way from the outer edge of the hole into the plant, and keep digging until you stop encountering roots. His red yucca aren’t quite overgrown yet, but will eventually get there in 2 – 3 years. Hesperaloe parviflora hess-per-AL-oh par-vih-FLOOR-ah Audio A clump-forming succulent, red yucca has arching, leathery, linear foliage rising to between 2 and 3 feet tall. Start the seeds indoors where the conditions are controllable. Then, dig in a circle around the plant about 5 inches outside of the shoot, and as you dig, start lifting up the plant until you can remove the whole shoot and root ball from the ground. Test the soil around the red yucca plant in the spring to find out how much fertilizer it requires. All species of yuccas grow in most types of soil, as long as the ground is well-draining and not too rich. Hesperaloe parviflora (Texas Red Yucca), a very showy native succulent from southern TX and northeastern Mexico, is not a new plant to cultivation. One way of propagating yuccas is to cut the rhizomes with baby plants from the main root. All Rights Reserved. Cover it with a net at night or install a floodlight by the plant. Plant red yucca in good-draining soil or on a slope when located in the wetter areas of the Bay Area. Cold wet soil will kill them. Moderate grower to 3 to 4 feet tall and wide; flower stalks to 4 to 6 feet. When you said 'Yucca' I imagined something huge! Over time, red yucca can become overgrown. His red yucca aren’t quite overgrown yet, but will eventually get there in 2 – 3 years. Yucca plants grow by sending out rhizomes from the main stalk. Keep the seeds moderately moist, and you should begin to see signs of germination in about 3 to 4 weeks. Growth rate: Slow to moderate depending upon water and temperature. Privacy & Policy, Disclaimer & Disclosure, “…and the desert shall rejoice and blossom.” Isaiah 35:1. I hope you will decide to try red or yellow yucca in your landscape. Nothing is worse than seeing one of these plants mowed, or worse yet, shredded by a weed eater. They also do well around swimming pools and in pots. Although it often referred to by the common name ‘yucca’ – it isn’t a yucca at all. If a mulch is used, do not pack an organic type high around the rosette. Red yucca isn’t only drought tolerant but is hardy to -20 degrees, making it suitable for planting in many different planting zones. Step 2 - Place in Planting Trays Transplant the seedlings in small planting trays. 2. The reason is that odd numbered plant groupings are more pleasing to the eye. full sun, well-drained soil and periodic deep watering. Yucca comes in several varieties. Yucca likes to grow in loose soil, and the soil should provide it with sufficient nutrients in time, so as to make it grow better. Although established plants can get by on little water, for better-looking blooms, give them a deep soaking about once every two weeks during … How big do they get? Rating: 100 % of 100. © 2008-2020 Red yucca thrives in loamy, acidic soil in full sun. I’m going to be teaching 2 online cl, Oh how I love it when I come across gorgeous windo. And, like most drought-hardy plants, red yucca will need virtually no pruning during its lifetime. Earlier this week, I was doing a landscape consult with a client who had multiple Red Yucca (Hesperaloe parviflora) plants throughout his garden and I was reminded again, how much I enjoy this succulent plant. Frost-Prone areas tender yucca species can be grown in a single type of –..., black seeds sending out rhizomes from the main root and out of propagating yuccas is to cut the sprout... Bay Area of the overgrown plant that can survive even the most inexperienced gardeners some people consider it a.. Of sun the outer edge of the trimmed example the outer edge of the agave family kits are at. ‘ yucca ’ – it isn ’ t you what I recommend is to simply take them and! 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