Yucca Pruning Guide: How to Trim & Cut Back Yuccas

Remove dead leaves & shape up overgrown yuccas

Yucca trees are low maintenance and easily adaptable, making them popular to grow indoors and outside. While these plants don’t need to be pruned, trimming up your yucca gives it a tidier appearance and can help it stay healthy. Just snip off any unwanted leaves at the bottom of the plant and cut off any overgrown stems. Keep reading to learn when and where to prune your yucca plant and how to plant stem cuttings to grow new trees!

Pruning a Yucca Plant

Use pruning shears to cut off the droopy and brown lower leaves as close to the trunk as possible. If your plant is very tall or leggy, cut the trunk in half; new leaves will sprout where it’s cut. Make sure to wear gloves and safety glasses when you prune, as the leaves are sharp.

Section 1 of 3:

Pruning Dead Leaves and Flowers

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  1. The dangling bottom leaves are called the yucca’s “skirt.” Start at the bottom of the plant and cut off the leaves using pruning shears, a knife, or scissors. Just make your cuts as close as possible to the yucca's trunk. [1]
    • Stop removing leaves about halfway up the tree, or when you like the way the yucca looks.
    • Prune your yucca in the early spring. This gives it enough time to recover by winter. [2]
    • Tip : Cut the bottom leaves in half before snipping them off at the trunk. This gives you better access to the leaves and protects you from scratches.
    • The yucca’s skirt often turns brown and unsightly, so cutting the leaves makes it look tidier. It can also help plants that are struggling or unhealthy.

    Warning: Wear thick gloves, safety glasses, a long sleeve shirt, and pants when pruning yuccas. The tips and sides of the leaves are sharp and can scratch you.

  2. Let the lower leaves dangle, brown, and naturally fall off rather than pruning them. Keeping the lower leaves intact doesn’t harm the plant. Plus, you may like the more natural, overgrown look better than a trimmed yucca plant. [3]
    • Yucca plants don’t need to be pruned. Pruning them is mostly based on personal preference.
    • It can still be helpful to cut away damaged or dying leaves, as this helps maintain the plant's health.
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  3. In late summer, yuccas grow a tall stalk out of the center of the plant that produces beautiful white flowers. After the flower blooms and dies, grasp the stalk and carefully move the leaves out of the way. Then, use pruning shears, a sharp knife, or scissors to cut the stalk as close to the ground as possible. [4]
    • If you leave the stalk in place, it starts to turn brown and woody, which can have an unsightly appearance.
    • You can prune the stalk before the plant blooms if you don’t want the plant to flower. However, most people choose to prune after it flowers.
  4. Throw out the leaves or place them in your compost bin . Now your yucca tree looks beautiful with its new haircut! [5]
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Section 2 of 3:

Cutting Back Yucca Plants in Pots and Outdoors

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  1. If your yucca plant is getting too big in your yard or its pot indoors, simply cut off the top or cut it in half. Yuccas sprout and grow new leaves where they’re cut while the severed top can grow roots if you plant it in soil! [6]
    • Trim leggy branches or branches that are leaning, too.
    • You’ll know your yucca plant has outgrown its pot when the roots start growing out of the bottom or they’re not far from the outer edge of the pot.
    • Transplant the yucca into a larger pot if you don't want to cut it. Yuccas typically need to be repotted every 2 years.
    • You essentially get an additional plant for free if you cut it!
  2. Yucca plants flower in the late summer. It is best to prune them in the early spring, right before they flower, so they can recover from the trauma. [7]
    • Pruning yuccas helps to promote and control their growth.
  3. Taking your yucca plant out of its pot makes it easier to cut, and is helpful if you’re going to repot both pieces. Simply grasp the tree’s trunk firmly and pull it out of the container. [8]
    • If the plant doesn’t come out easily, smack the sides of the pot to help loosen the soil and tip the container sideways.
  4. Identify your plant’s midway point from the base of the trunk to the top of the leaves. To make it easier to cut the trunk, rip off the leaves with your hands or cut them off with pruning shears or a sharp knife. [9]
    • You don’t have to cut your yucca plant exactly in half. Simply trim the top of the tree wherever you want new leaves to grow.
    • The halfway mark can be a rough estimate rather than an exact measurement.
    • Warning : Wear gloves, safety glasses, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt when cutting yuccas. The leaves are sharp and can potentially hurt you.
  5. Use a pruning saw, hand saw, or loppers to cut through large trunks that are 10 in (25 cm) or larger in diameter. For smaller trunks that are 1–7 in (2.5–17.8 cm) in diameter, use a sharp knife or scissors. Simply push your tool into the yucca’s trunk with consistent, steady pressure. [10]
    • It typically takes a moderate amount of force to slice the trunk in half.
  6. Place the top half of the yucca trunk in a sunny, airy spot outside. Letting it air out for a few hours helps it take better to the soil and grow strong, healthy roots. [11]
    • If you’re repotting the bottom half of the trunk , leave it in the sun, too.
    • Set the trunk on the sidewalk, in the grass, or on a table.
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Section 3 of 3:

Planting Yucca Stem Cuttings

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  1. Yuccas grow best under full sun , so find a place that gets around 6 to 8 hours of direct light. For instance, set the cuttings in front of a sunny window or plant them in a bright spot in your garden. [12]
    • Yucca plants can survive in partial to full shade, though they might not grow as well. [13]
    • Yuccas are native to warm, dry areas. However, they’re hardy plants that can adapt well to urban environments and cold climates.
    • Warning : Keep yuccas away from sidewalks and high-traffic areas so they don't cut anyone. If you have children or pets, pick a location away from their play area.
    • If yuccas don’t get enough sun, the leaves start to stretch and look wilted.
  2. Pot the top half of the yucca trunk in well-draining soil . Fill a pot that has drainage holes with well-draining soil. Then, make a hole in the center of the soil and stick the top half of the yucca trunk inside. [14]
    • For instance, use a cactus or palm potting soil , as these are typically well-draining. Or, amend the soil with sand or perlite .
    • Choose a pot that’s large enough to hold the cutting so it doesn’t tip over when you insert the trunk.
    • Yucca plants are drought tolerant, so they do not like sitting in wet, soggy soil.
  3. If you removed your yucca plant from its pot to trim it, either replant the bottom half in a bigger pot or plant it outside. [15]
    • In a new pot : Fill a pot that has drainage holes halfway full with well-draining soil . Then, insert the trunk. Cover the roots with soil and fill the rest of the pot.
    • In the ground : Dig a hole 2 times as deep and wide as the roots. Pour gravel into the hole and sprinkle soil on top. Then, place the trunk inside, fill the hole with dirt, and press down the soil.
    • Center and straighten the yucca plant in its new pot. Make sure you choose a large enough pot so the plant doesn’t tip over.
    • Make sure you plant your yucca plant in a spot outside that’s well-draining and doesn’t gather water.
  4. Watering the plants helps them acclimate to the soil, encouraging them to root and grow new leaves. Yucca plants don’t need a lot of water, so lightly saturate the soil for a few seconds. [16]
    • It typically takes around 1 month for the top half of the trunk to grow roots. Feel free to keep it in its pot, or plant it in the soil when the roots are established.
    • The bottom half of the cutting usually starts growing new leaves after about 1 month.
  5. Yucca plants grow best when they’re watered sparingly, as they’re more likely to be harmed from overwatering. Just stick your finger about 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep into the soil every few weeks. If the soil feels dry, give the plants a light drink of water. [17]
    • Generally, water your plants about every 10 days to 2 weeks.
    • Yucca plants start to droop and shrivel when they’re thirsty.
    • If you overwater your plant, the leaves die or become discolored and the trunk might start to rot.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Can you cut back a yucca plant?
    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
    Some yucca grow slowly and shouldn't be cut back. Others can be cut back completely but will not regrow leaves cut off of the plant.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    Why are the leaves on my yucca plant turning brown?
    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
    Yucca leaves near the base will turn brown after time and be replaced by new growth from the center. Remove brown yucca leaves from the base of the plant as desired.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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  • Question
    Can you split a yucca plant?
    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
    A yucca plant will send out pups or baby yucca plants that may be leaves from the mother plant after they have grown for about 1 year. A yucca will not grow back the same if you split an individual plant.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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      Video

      Things You’ll Need

      Pruning Dead Leaves and Flowers

      • Gloves
      • Safety glasses
      • Long-sleeved clothing
      • Pruning shears, a knife, or scissors

      Cutting Back Tall Yucca Plants

      • Gloves
      • Safety glasses
      • Long-sleeved clothing
      • Hand saw, loppers, pruning shears, or a knife

      Planting Yucca Stem Cuttings

      Tips

      • Fertilizing your yucca plants isn’t required, as these plants grow well without it. If you want to encourage faster growth, give it a balanced, liquid fertilizer once in the spring and once in the summer. [18]
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      • Sanitize your pruning tools with rubbing alcohol before and after you use them, as well as when you switch between plants. This prevents the spread of bacteria and disease.
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      • Yucca flowers are edible. Either cook the yucca flowers , or eat them raw.
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      Warnings

      • Yucca leaves are sharp and pointy. Always wear gloves, eye protection, and long-sleeved clothing when pruning your plants.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/gpWUr2Lk9UQ?si=7LnbiazXoOoRm1A1&t=65
      2. ↑ https://plantfacts.osu.edu/pdf/0247-1199.pdf
      3. ↑ https://www.plantdelights.com/blogs/articles/yucca-plants-tips-for-growing
      4. ↑ https://plantfacts.osu.edu/pdf/0247-1199.pdf
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/gpWUr2Lk9UQ?si=Ut1ht871nmkxe7M-&t=300
      6. ↑ https://www.plantdelights.com/blogs/articles/yucca-plants-tips-for-growing
      7. ↑ https://plantfacts.osu.edu/pdf/0247-1199.pdf
      8. ↑ https://youtu.be/Km8wQ4Q7Xbk?si=FlLZhNQyNti0ikbg&t=19
      9. ↑ https://youtu.be/Km8wQ4Q7Xbk?t=35s
      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/yeMyTes-AfI?si=nTY4F7CTICTcAxrc&t=13
      2. ↑ https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-grow-yucca/
      3. ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/65726/yucca-flaccida-golden-sword-(v)/details
      4. ↑ https://plantfacts.osu.edu/pdf/0247-1199.pdf
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/Vp1EMRTG4jE?si=414TQynw8mfjhwVY&t=351
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/Km8wQ4Q7Xbk?si=QcKKTy3E6yOPXm_i&t=43
      7. ↑ https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-grow-yucca/
      8. ↑ https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-grow-yucca/
      9. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/yucca-plant-care/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To prune a yucca plant, all you’ll need is a knife or some pruning shears. Start by trimming the leaves at the bottom, which are known as the yucca skirt. Cut them off as close to the plant as possible and until you get about halfway up. Alternatively, leave the yucca skirt on if you like how it looks, since the lower leaves don’t harm the plant. After your yucca blooms, cut the flower stalk about 4 inches from the end. If your yucca plant is getting too big for its pot, you can cut it in half and replant both parts separately. Remember that the best time to prune your yucca is in the spring prior to the growing season, since pruning helps control their growth. For tips on how to replant a trimmed yucca plant, read on!

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