Presentation of filamentous yucca
Fact sheet : | ||
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Yucca filamentosa | |
| Family | Agavaceae | |
| Other name | Filamentous yucca, silk grass | |
| Etymology | The name Yucca comes from the Spanish word “yuca” which itself comes from a word from one of the Taina languages spoken by the Arawak Amerindians of the West Indies to designate cassava. The word Filamentosa was then added to emphasize the filamentous side of this plant. | |
| Origin | North America | |
| Dimensions | When mature, it can reach 1.50 m in all directions. | |
| Flower color(s) | WhiteBeige | |
| Leaf color(s) | Dark greens | |
| Appearance of the flowers |
| |
| Appearance of the leaves |
| |
| Plant type | Greasy plant | |
| Vegetation | Perennial | |
| Foliage in winter | Persistent | |
| Bloom |
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May
June
Jul.
August
Seven.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec. |
Culture sheet: | |
|---|---|
| Planting |
Jan.
Feb.
Mar.
Apr.
May
June
Jul.
August
Seven.
Oct.
Nov.
Dec. |
| Growth | Slow |
| Exposure | Sun |
| Ground | Drained, Stony, Poor |
| Humidity | Weak |
| Use | Pot, Massive, Isolated, Rockery |
| Multiplication | Sowing, Cutting, Sampling of suckers |
| Disease(s) and pest(s) | Resistant |
What light and exposure are ideal for filamentous yucca?
Yucca filamentosa is a plant that needs to be installed in a very sunny location. It can be grown in the ground, but also in pots as it grows quite slowly. You can install it in a rockery, in a raised bed, but also in isolation.
What is the ideal temperature for yucca filamentosa?
Due to its origins, yucca filamentosa prefers heat. It is thus able to withstand long periods of drought. But it is not the same with the cold. Indeed, even if it is hardy, since it can withstand temperatures down to -20°C, a prolonged episode of extreme cold can be fatal, especially if the soil is not perfectly drained.
In winter, it will be necessary to protect your young filamentous yucca with a winter veil or by sheltering it if you grow it in a pot.
Ideal atmospheric humidity
The filamentous yucca prefers hot, dry atmospheres. Excess moisture can even cause it to rot and die.
Watering filamentous yucca
Generally speaking, this plant fears excess humidity and prefers dry soils. This resistance to drought comes from the threads which are found along the leaves and which retain humidity.
- Watering filamentous yucca grown in open ground : It is necessary to ensure that it is watered regularly during the first two years following its planting, especially during periods marked by heat and drought. Once he is well grounded, he will be able to get through these periods on his own.
- Watering filamentous yucca grown in pots : It will be necessary to water regularly, because the substrate tends to dry out more quickly in this case.
What types of soil and fertilizer for yucca filamentosa?
Earth
Because it is a desert plant, it adapts to any type of soil, even poor and dry, as long as it is well drained, but its development will be faster if the soil is a little more fertile. However, yucca filamentosa has requirements regarding the pH of the soil: the soil can be slightly acidic, stony, sandy, or even slightly calcareous.
If you live in a region with a harsher climate where it is preferable to grow your yucca filamentosa in a pot, you can turn to a substrate composed of sand, gravel and rather rich loam.
Fertilizer
It is possible to add compost at the beginning of spring or in autumn to encourage its growth. But you should be moderate in your contributions, because an excess of organic matter could damage your plant.
Planting yucca filamentosa
In the open ground
To plant your yucca filamentosa in the ground, you can proceed as follows:
- Start by preparing a hole twice the size of the plant’s root ball.
- Put gravel at the bottom of the hole to facilitate drainage (optional).
- Install the plant in the hole, making sure that the root ball is at ground level or barely above it if you want to create a slight mound to prevent water from stagnating.
- Fill the hole with soil mixed with sand if your soil is too heavy and with a little compost if it is very poor.
- Finally, water abundantly.
Pot
For growing in pots, proceed as follows:
- Choose a pot, preferably terracotta, of a size suitable for your plant and with a pierced bottom.
- Install a drainage layer at the bottom of the pot. You can use gravel or clay balls. It is possible to use clay balls or gravel.
- Place your plant in the pot.
- Fill the pot with a suitable substrate.
- Tamp down, then water to finish.
How to propagate yucca filamentosa?
It is quite simple to take cuttings from filamentous Yucca. Simply take portions of the false trunk, or stipe. However, with this technique the cutting will produce fewer roots than if you make seedlings. But in this case, the plant will be less resistant to strong winds, as well as drought. It is also possible to take suckers from the plant and replant them. In any case, you must not forget that the growth of this plant is slow, you will have to be patient.
How to prune filamentous yucca?
Yucca filamentosa does not need to be pruned. It will simply be necessary to remove the leaves as you go that these become damaged.
Caring for yucca filamentosa
It is an easy to grow plant that does not require no special maintenance.
Species and varieties of the Yucca genus
There are around forty species of Yucca. Among these, we find the Yucca filamentosa which was the subject of this article. In this species of Yucca, you can opt for different cultivars, such as ‘variegata’ with white-edged leaves, ‘bright edge’ with yellow-edged leaves, etc.
The 4 points to remember about filamentous yucca
- This plant is able to resist episodes of drought thanks to the whitish filaments which are found on the leaves and which retain humidity.
- It is a plant that will bring a touch of exoticism to your exterior, but it is recommended not to install it in a busy area so as not to risk injury. Additionally, it will be necessary to be vigilant with children whose eyes are at the height of the thorns.
- This resistant and easy to grow plant adapts to many conditions as long as the soil is perfectly drained.
- Hardy, yucca filamentosa can be grown in many French regions.