Propagating your Yucca (also known as the Adam’s Needle or Spanish Bayonet) is actually a lot easier than you might think! You’ve actually got a few different ways to go about it. Here’s the lowdown on how to efficiently grow your Yucca collection.
Here are your best options:
- Using offsets (pups)
- Dividing the plant
How to Propagate Using Yucca Offsets
Many Yucca varieties naturally produce “pups” or offsets that sprout up right next to the mother plant. If you see a little one popping out of the ground nearby, you’re in luck! Wait until it’s about 8 inches tall, then carefully dig it up. All you need is a decent pot filled with a mix of potting soil and a little bit of sand for drainage.
I recommend starting these little guys indoors where it’s warm. Wait until outdoor temperatures are consistently at least 70°F (20°C) before moving them to the garden. If you’re harvesting these offsets in the heat of summer, you can usually plant them directly into your garden beds. Just keep in mind that it takes a little time for a young Yucca to become fully winter-hardy.
How to Divide Your Yucca
Dividing a Yucca takes a bit more elbow grease because you’ll need to do some digging. Start by carefully lifting the entire plant—roots and all—out of the ground. Once it’s out, split the root ball into two halves. Take a quick look for any damaged roots and trim those off with clean shears.
Find a great new spot for your second half and dig a hole large enough to accommodate the roots comfortably. Loosen up the soil at the bottom, set the Yucca in, fill it back up with dirt, and give it a good soak.
You can also divide your indoor Yuccas! You can either split the root ball like the outdoor version or cut off a section of the trunk. If you take a trunk cutting, just plant the cut end down into some fresh soil. Keep it well-watered, and before you know it, new roots will form underground and a brand-new plant will start to thrive.
