Yucca Stem Propagation

Types

• Some yucca plants are stemless or form only a single trunk, but others like Yucca gloriosa, form multiple stems. Semihardwood cuttings from the current season’s growth of multiple-stem yuccas can be used to propagate new plants. For the best chance of success, use yucca plants that are native to humid climates. Yucca elephantipes, or the spineless yucca, and Yucca aloifolia, or the dagger plant, are good choices.

Technique

• Propagate yuccas late in the spring or during the summer because they’re more able to resist rot and disease during those times. Take cuttings from pieces of pruned yucca or cut a section off an established trunk. Avoid small stems or old stems. Choose a mature stem with brown bark because cream-colored bark may rot. Cut a section that’s at least 3 inches long. Remove the lower leaves from the stem so the cutting won’t lose moisture while waiting for the roots to grow. Leaves at the tip of the stem don’t need to be removed. Place the stem in a cool, shady spot until it dries out. This can take up to a week.

Care

• Once your yucca stem dries it can be rooted in a mixture that contains equal amounts of coarse sand or perlite and moistened potting mixture. This mixture will support the stem and let needed air reach its developing roots. Cuttings shouldn’t be kept in water because the roots won’t receive the oxygen needed to develop a sturdy root system. Provide your cutting with bright, filtered light and just enough water to keep the mixture barely moist. When you see new growth, provide moderate amounts of water, but let the top inch of soil dry out in between waterings. As long as the crown stays green, don’t need to worry if the cutting loses some of its leaves. It may take four weeks or longer before you start seeing roots.

Transplanting/Repotting

• Cuttings can be repotted into potting soil, or planted outside once they have developed several strong roots. It can take three to six months this to happen. When planting a cutting outside, dig a hole 12 inches deep and place the stem in the ground before filling with soil. Stake cuttings that are over 18 inches tall so they won’t fall down in the wind.