# How to Kill a Yucca Root
Yucca is a ubiquitous plant in the American southwest and many parts of Mexico, and many people find it charming and characteristic of these areas. Just as tumbleweeds have come to symbolize the Old West, cacti and yucca plants bring to mind images of red rocks, painted deserts and adobe buildings. But many gardeners who deal with these plants cannot stand them. They are invasive and rapidly growing, often choking out more desirable vegetation. Get rid of yucca once and for all by overcoming its tough cell-wall protection.
Things You'll Need
- Rubber bands
- Gardening shears
- Herbicide
- Shovel
Instructions
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1
Allow the leaves of the plant to grow until they are long enough to touch the ground. Separate the leaves into groups that you can fit your hand around. Wrap a rubber band low around each group.
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2
Cut off the tip of each leaf with sharp gardening shears. Make sure the end of each leaf is open, but do not remove too much; you want the plant to still go through photosynthesis. Cover the exposed interior of each leaf with a strong, long-term herbicide, such as one that contains glyphosate.
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3
Apply more herbicide every few days throughout the entire growing season. As new leaves appear, add them to a group, slice off their ends and spray them with the herbicide. Dig up the plant and all of the roots once the top of the plant is dead.
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