Q&A for How to Prune Yucca Plants

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Question

My yucca has root rot. Can I cut the trunk and replant the top of the tree to save it?

Martine Votvik

Community Answer

I have done this successfully. On my yucca there was already the beginnings of roots on the stem over the rot, like little rice corns. I cut it and after drying it for a day, I rolled some moist tissue paper around it. When the roots were half a cm I potted it. It grows well.

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Question

I have new shoots coming along the yucca trunk. Can I just cut them off and not damage the main trunk?

Community Answer

Yes, the new shoots are very hardy. You can also push the shoots straight in the ground and they will usually take and start growing from there.

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