Yucca palm in winter: how to overwinter | Is it hardy?

Palm lilies such as Yucca aloifolia and Yucca elephantipes belong to the indoor palms. They are cultivated in indoor culture and are therefore not hardy. There are hardly any cold spells in their homeland, which is why the plants do not survive the winter in the open air.

Yucca palm indoors

However, if it is too warm in the interior, the palm cannot overwinter there. With a little care, however, it works and the plant survives the cold time without any problems.

  • Stop fertilising at the end of October
  • Look for a cool, bright location from November
  • Bright location, no direct sunlight
  • Temperature between 10 and 14 degrees
  • ideal humidity between 50 and 60 percent

In order to get the yucca palm through the winter in this way, it must be cleared in early November at the latest. As soon as the outside temperature is below five degrees at night, it becomes too cold for tropical plants.

Watering in winter quarters
Beginning in October, the water requirement decreases. Moderate watering is sufficient if the surface of the earth feels dry. A fixed schedule is necessary, the thumb test provides information as to whether it is necessary to give water again.

Tip: It is advisable to check the yucca for pests once a week during the cold season. If the location is too warm or too dark, the plants are more susceptible to infestation.

After winter to the outer quarters
As soon as spring is just around the corner , it is time for the Zimmer-Palm to leave its winter home again. Since the light irradiation is now significantly better, the balance to the regular interior temperature is balanced.When the palm lily is put back in its original place, its water requirement increases and the supply of nutrients is reactivated.

Winter with planted yucca palms

There are yucca varieties that are considered hardy in this country. The best-known variety is the Yucca filamentosa, which can withstand outside temperatures of up to – 26 degrees. When wintering, however, it is important that the yucca is protected from moisture.

  • End of July cessation of nutrient intake
  • Equipped with rain protection
  • Find a place in the rain shadow
  • Attach wooden frost protection
  • Protect buckets against the cold
  • Cover the substrate

No more nutrients from late summer

In order for the palm lily to survive the winter without any problems, it must be ripe before the start of the frost period. Fertilization should therefore be stopped by the end of July at the latest. The last fertilization in July is best with potassium, which strengthens the winter hardiness. Alternatively, it can also be fertilized with potash.

Rain cover for the yucca

Even if frost can hardly harm the yucca, it is sensitive to rain and snow. If you don’t have a sheltered forecourt with a roof, you can build a shelter. Wooden pegs that are covered with greenhouse film are suitable for this.

Tip: The rain cover should be open so that the air can circulate easily. A complete tent would quickly lead to mold growth and rot.

Place in the rain shadow

Before late autumn begins at the latest, bucket leyuccas should be brought into the rain shadow. The best place is a house wall or eaves. However, the location should still remain bright and sunny, the yucca needs the incidence of light. Avoid exposure to the blazing winter sun, it can cause cracked bark.

Wood protects against frost

A block of wood is ideal to protect the bucket against frost from below. Plant rollers are also well suited, they increase mobility and protect. Styrofoam sheets are also good because they are able to insulate. This means that no frost can get into the root ball from the ground.

If necessary, a thick layer of bark mulch can also be chosen, this also has an insulating effect and protects the yucca palm from the cold from below.

Protect the bucket from frost

If the yucca is cultivated in the bucket, it must be protected from frost. The root ball can freeze through, so it must be protected with a cover in winter. Bubble wrap, which is then covered with a coconut mat, is very suitable. This has the advantage that the appearance does not suffer either.

Cover the substrate

When the palm lily is protected from all sides, all that remains is to cover the substrate. Straw and leaves are well suited, or a coconut slice, which is available in stores, is an alternative. Cover the substrate completely so that the root disc is not damaged by frost.

Wintering

It is imperative that the winter protection is removed promptly. When the temperature rises again, condensation forms under the roof, which can lead to mold. As soon as the nights are frost-free, the palm lily can be unpacked from its protective cover and returned to its old location.

If the winter protection remains around the yucca palm and its tub for too long, there is a risk of mold growth. The film creates a warm, humid climate in the tub, which can quickly lead to problems. Check the outside temperature regularly to get your yucca palm back to its usual place in good time.

Conclusion
The yucca palm survives the winter in this country without any problems if a few care measures are observed. Specimens in the tub are particularly in need of protection because their roots are exposed to the weather. If the recommended protective measures are carried out correctly, it is not a problem to get the yucca palm through the winter and it will survive for many years and decades.

Kira Bellingham

I'm a homes writer and editor with more than 20 years' experience in publishing. I have worked across many titles, including Ideal Home and, of course, Homes & Gardens. My day job is as Chief Group Sub Editor across the homes and interiors titles in the group. This has given me broad experience in interiors advice on just about every subject. I'm obsessed with interiors and delighted to be part of the Homes & Gardens team.

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