While indoor Yuccas can be a bit shy about blooming, outdoor garden Yuccas are total showstoppers. They love to show off their massive flower spikes even in cooler climates. But once those impressive blooms fade, you’re left with a bit of a brown, dried-out mess, which leads every gardener to the same question: “Should I cut these off?”
A Closer Look at the Different Blooms
Spineless Yucca (Yucca elephantipes)
- The flower stalk grows directly out of the foliage.
- Reaches about 20 to 40 inches tall.
- Features dense branching.
- Individual flowers are up to 2 inches long and about an inch wide.
- White, bell-shaped, and nodding.
- Bloom time: August to September.
Adam’s Needle (Yucca filamentosa)
- The stalk emerges from the center of the leaves.
- Can reach a towering 6 to 10 feet tall!
- The branches and flowers sit high above the foliage.
- Individual flowers: Up to 3 inches in diameter.
- White to creamy-white, bell-shaped, and hanging.
- Bloom time: June to July.
Moundlily Yucca (Yucca gloriosa)
- The flower spike starts within the leaf cluster.
- Grows between 20 and 55 inches tall.
- Very densely branched.
- Individual flowers: Up to 1.5 inches in diameter.
- White to creamy-white, bell-shaped, and nodding.
- Bloom time: Fall.
Can You Cut the Flowers for Vases?
Since these blooms are so stunning, it’s tempting to want to bring them inside. Unfortunately, Yucca flowers don’t really work as cut flowers—they tend to wilt quickly once snipped. However, they are actually edible! If you want to bring a few indoors, use them as a unique, gourmet garnish for your favorite dishes.
Should You Deadhead Individual Flowers?
Whether you want to snip off individual wilted flowers is totally up to you. To be honest, though, it’s usually more trouble than it’s worth. It’s tricky to get a clean cut on a single spent bloom without poking yourself or damaging the rest of the stalk. I usually recommend waiting until the entire spike has finished its show before reaching for the shears.
Pruning After the Bloom
Once the long flower stalks have completely faded and turned brown, go ahead and cut them back. You’ll want to make your cut as low as possible near the base of the stalk. Those dried-out stems aren’t doing your curb appeal any favors! Just remember, you’re only cutting the flower stalk—there’s no need to trim the green leaves at this point.
