Q&A for How to Kill Yucca Plants

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I have a massive Yucca root bulb. The foliage has been cut down and will be treated with herbicide. How do I get the root bulb to rot away?

Lauren Kurtz
Professional Gardener
Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.

Lauren Kurtz

Professional Gardener

Expert Answer

If you are treating with an herbicide, the root will die and rot away eventually. Manually remove the root if you want it gone sooner.

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Question

I dug down to the Yucca tree roots and tried to dig as many out as possible. Should I fill in the hole and place cardboard over the area or leave mulch on top?

Lauren Kurtz
Professional Gardener
Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014.

Lauren Kurtz

Professional Gardener

Expert Answer

It is best to leave the hole uncovered for at least 2 weeks to let the sun dry out the roots.

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Question

How do I kill other plants around my yucca plant?

Community Answer

Prune, mow or pull undesired plants and cover the area with landscape fabric and rock or gravel groundcover.

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Question

Can I kill yucca plants and stumps with Roundup if I drill into the stump?

Community Answer

This is best way to kill the roots, but you have to give it time to work. I did mine two years ago got little sprouts for a while, but none for the past eighteen months.

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Question

Once you cut the large trunk away, can that plant be replanted without the root ball?

Community Answer

You can grow Yucca plants by cutting off a shoot (+- 4 cm in diameter and sticking it in the ground where you want the new plant to grow. Most, if not all, of the shoots should take and flourish. They will need more water than usual till they have taken. Very hardy plant.

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