Most people think that Yuccas (also known as Adam’s Needles or Spanish Bayonets) are total wimps when it comes to frost. But honestly? That’s only half true. Some Yuccas are actually way tougher than you’d think! It all comes down to knowing exactly which variety you’re dealing with.
Wintering Outdoors
Whether your Yucca can handle a winter outside depends entirely on the species. We generally break them down into two categories:
- Indoor Yuccas
- Garden (Outdoor) Yuccas
For the garden varieties, it also makes a big difference whether they are planted directly in the ground or kept in pots.
Indoor Yuccas
When people talk about “Indoor Yuccas,” they’re usually referring to the popular *Yucca elephantipes* (Spineless Yucca). These guys are cold-sensitive and definitely won’t survive a harsh winter outdoors.
The lowest temperature these plants can comfortably handle is in the high 40s (Fahrenheit). If you have yours out on the balcony or patio for the summer, wait until the threat of night frost has passed before moving it out, and bring it back inside once temps start dipping toward 50°F.
Garden Yuccas
Cold-hardy species can stay outside all winter long. However, the level of protection they’ll need depends on whether they are settled in a garden bed or living in a container.
Hardiness of Garden Yuccas
- Yucca baccata: down to -13°F
- Yucca glauca: down to 0°F
- Yucca filamentosa: down to -13°F
- Yucca gloriosa: down to -4°F
- Yucca brevifolia: down to -4°F
- Yucca elata: down to -4°F
Winter Protection for In-Ground Yuccas
If your Yucca is planted in the garden, its biggest enemy during winter isn’t actually the cold—it’s the moisture. To keep it happy, you’ll want to provide a little extra care:
- Root Protection: Apply a 7-8 inch layer of bark mulch, dry leaves, or evergreen branches over the root zone.
- Protecting the Crown (especially for young plants): Gently tie the leaves together with twine and wrap the head of the plant in horticultural fleece or a burlap sack.
Winter Protection for Potted Yuccas
If you’re keeping a hardy garden Yucca in a pot outdoors, it needs a bit more help to shield it from both the freezing cold and excessive dampness.
Here’s how to bundle it up:
- Elevate the pot: Place it on a thick wooden board or a piece of styrofoam to insulate it from the frozen ground.
- Wrap the pot: Wrap the sides of the container with insulating material like coconut fiber, burlap, or bubble wrap.
- Mulch the top: Cover the soil surface with a thick layer of mulch.
To give your plant the best chance, move it to a spot sheltered from the rain. Placing it against a south-facing house wall is a pro move, as the wall radiates heat and keeps the plant just a few degrees warmer!
