With their sword-shaped leaves and showy flower stalks, yuccas (Yucca spp.) add a dramatic, architectural element to low-water landscaping within U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 4 to 9. Species such as needle palm (Y. filamentosa) and soaptree yucca (Y. elata) propagate reliably from divisions, which are young offshoots or "pups" that are split from the mother plant in late spring and transplanted. Splitting yuccas is a simple and relatively quick process. The sharp, spiny leaf tips are dangerous, so you must wear protective clothing, gloves and goggles to avoid injury.
Put on leather gloves, goggles and protective clothing before splitting pups from a mature yucca because the sharp spines can cause painful, potentially dangerous injuries.
Combine 2 parts medium-grit sand, 2 parts potting soil and 1 part pea gravel in a bucket. Pour water onto the mixture until it feels slightly moist throughout. Pack the soil mixture into the bottom one-third of a 4-inch plastic pot.
Select yucca pups with a diameter of 6 inches or less because their removal will cause minimal damage to the mother plant and they will root more easily than larger offshoots. Avoid tiny offshoots with yellowish leaves since they are not yet mature.
Dig down midway between the pup and the mother plant using a sharp garden spade. Remove the soil until you expose the thick, white connecting root. Sever it as close to the mother plant as possible using a clean, sharp knife.
Dig down 5 inches in a 2-inch radius around the base of the pup. Work the spade underneath the pup and pry it loose from the soil. Remove it and fill in the hole to protect the mother plant.
Carefully remove one-quarter of the soil from around the roots of the pup. Hold it in the prepared pot so its roots touch the surface of the soil mixture. Back fill around the roots with the soil mixture until they are completely covered and the pup's leaves rest on the surface.
Place the potted pup under high, light shade. Shield it from direct sun for the first few weeks. Maintain light moisture in the soil, but allow the top 1 inch to dry out completely between waterings. Avoid watering more than this because it can encourage the roots to rot.
Acclimate the yucca pup to stronger, more prolonged sun over the course of two weeks until it can stand full sun for eight hours without wilting or blanching. Monitor the soil moisture carefully to prevent moisture loss and stress.
Grow the yucca pup in its pot for six to eight weeks, or until it revives and begins to put on noticeable growth. Transplant it into a permanent bed with the same growing conditions as the mother plant.
Things You Will Need
- Leather gloves
- Protective clothing
- Medium-grit sand
- Potting soil
- Pea gravel
- 4-inch plastic pot
- Garden spade
- Stick wine corks onto the spines at the tip of each yucca leaf to prevent injury while working with them.
- Dust the roots of yucca divisions with rooting hormone powder to hasten growth.
- Immediately wash out any scratches or cuts caused by yucca spines to prevent infection.
- Virginia Cooperative Extension: Yuccas, Yucca Spp.
- University of Vermont Department of Plant and Soil Sciences: Herbaceous Garden Plants: Yucca
- University of Florida Department of Environmental Horticulture: Landscape Plant Propagation Information: Yucca Filamentosa
- University of Florida Department of Environmental Horticulture: Landscape Plant Propagation Information: Yucca Elata
- National Gardening Association: Dividing Yuccas
- University of Texas at Austin Wildflower Center: Ask Mr. Smarty Plants: Starting Yuccas From Pups
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