Housing a Yucca Plant Indoors During the Winter

Freeze Damage

• Many yucca species are native to hot, dry deserts and frost-free climates. If temperatures are below freezing for a few hours at a time, the plants may suffer blackened, dead regions on their fleshy leaves. The blackened areas eventually dry out. Despite some amount of plant tissue loss, occasional freeze damage does not usually kill a plant. The plant will likely recover, unless the cold is extreme or of long duration.

Indoor Protection

• If your region is prone to freezes, it is best to transplant the yucca into a container and move it indoors before winter arrives. Set the plant in a bright location, such as near a sun-exposed window. Keep the plant dry during this time, as it grows little during the fall and winter. Any time the weather is harsh from hail, thunder or snow, bring the potted yucca inside. Yucca plants easily survive indoors through the winter. When spring arrives or the weather warms up, place it outdoors.

Temperature Tolerances

• The cold tolerance of yucca plants varies according to species, orientation and other factors. Based on research at the University of Florida, many yucca species, including Yucca filamentosa, Yucca aloifolia and Yucca gloriosa, are cold tolerant and do not experience significant cold damage at 15 F. Others, such as Yucca decipiens, show slight freeze damage at that temperature. Humid climates and irrigated areas make yucca more susceptible to freeze damage.

Preventing Freeze Damage

• If your yucca plant is growing in the ground, there are a few methods for preventing cold damage. Grow it near the wall of the house or adjacent to a patio so it can receive radiant heat. Cover it with a sheet to keep it insulated. Set a 60-watt light bulb under the sheet, with some clearance, to provide extra warmth. Place the yucca plant near a deciduous shrub or tree to protect it from winter cold. Decrease irrigation in the fall or winter when the plant slows its growth; extra moisture makes the fleshy leaves susceptible to freezing. If the plant experiences freeze damage, it will likely produce new growth on the lower part of the plant.