Features landing and care for yucca at home

Evergreen representative of liliaceae, yucca, in the photo resembles a palm tree. The same thick lignified trunk, the same "fountain" of long narrow leaves, the same root system. In some ways, it really has to do with a tropical tree, but it does not stretch above 2 m and is much more unpretentious. However, problems may arise with her: those who have appeared for the first time with a yucca complain that the leaves turn yellow and dry.

Why do yucca turn yellow and dry leaves?

Before looking for serious health problems of a plant, it is important to understand that the yellowing leaves of a yucca are a natural process that occurs annually. The leaves at the same time change color throughout the area, then die off and fall. This happens at about 1/3 of the volume of the plant, and there is no need to worry about it - a natural update will not leave the trunk “bald”. But if the seasonal leaf fall has already happened and suddenly recurs, it is worth checking whether all the rules of garden yucca care have been followed.

• Watering. The accumulation of moisture in yucca occurs in the trunk, in its lower part. The roots of the plants are weak, therefore, extremely sensitive to soil moisture. The slightest shortage of liquid, or, on the contrary, its excess, leads to an immediate reaction of the yucca - the roots immediately give way to decay, and with it form yellow spots on the leaves. It is especially dangerous to disturb the moderate humidity in the winter (in particular, overdo it with watering), since a decrease in temperature also affects the condition of the plant. If the leaves began to turn yellow during the cold season, it is better to transplant the yucca.
• Temperature changes. It should be noted here that the plant does not tolerate drafts, and also requires an artificial decrease in air temperature from the period of activity to the period of rest. Even a simple leap from the heat of the day to the cold of the night can be disastrous, so it is recommended to monitor the indoor climate with yucca.
• Heating. The main problem of most indoor plants, especially in winter, when the batteries turn on. Even a flowerpot standing far away from them is directly exposed to a stream of hot, dry air, which has a detrimental effect on the leaves, causing them to turn yellow and dry. Thus, the majority of yucca owners are forced to cut the leaves periodically in the cold season. Almost nothing can be done with this, except for how to turn off central heating and remove the tub as far as possible from the riser, however, there will be a shortage of lighting, for the sake of this it is necessary to carry the plant away from the window.

It should also be noted that problems with leaves arise when transplanting or moving the pot from room to room or between apartments. Yucca perceives poorly the change of conditions of detention, especially if it is a transplant, because the roots are damaged one way or another, and the yellow leaves are not the worst thing that can happen. The process usually returns to normal without outside intervention, when all root patches regenerate.

Care for yucca at home

To not have to constantly find out the causes of yellowness on the leaves, you need to learn the rules of caring for garden yucca. The plant is considered unpretentious, but there are several nuances that can ruin it completely.

• Watering. Yucca tolerates a small aridity, so it is better to keep the soil not sufficiently hydrated than to pour in the whole bucket every day. Separately, it should be said that watering the plant with cold water is prohibited - the root system will “kill” instantly. Optimal settled water at room temperature, once a week in winter and up to 3 times in summer.
• Shine. Yucca loves the sun very much, but it is undesirable to place it on the window - some professionals even recommend putting it under the ceiling on the cabinet, but the best option would be a zone of 0.5-1 meters from the window if the direction is southeast. In the north, you can place the pot directly on the windowsill.
• Fertilizer. Unlike most plants, yucca needs frequent (up to 2 times per month) feeding during the entire period of activity. In winter, you can forget about it. It is also forbidden to apply fertilizer before transplanting and in the process of adaptation to a new place of residence.
• Accommodation. It is recommended to plant a garden yucca in a deep (2 root heights) pot filled with gravel, sand and organic matter. If you need to plant a bush in open ground, do it at the end of spring, and in the apartment you can do transfers in March.

If the leaves have started to dry, professionals advise you to cut off the damaged ends, then pick up a wide pan in which to fill the pebbles and lay moss, and then pour some water. A pot with holes at the bottom is placed in this pan. Such a course solves the problem of dryness from the inside. And when overmoistening the soil, it is worth treating the roots with a fungicide before changing the capacity for the plant.