Complete guide to yucca care

With their gorgeous trunks and flamboyant leaves, there's a lot to love about yuccas. They're not difficult to grow as a houseplant, as long as you remember it’s used to hot, dry conditions. Mimic home, and you'll be absolutely fine. Here's what they need:

• Plenty of bright light
• Watering when the top two inches of soil feel dry, but they're really very forgiving (and drought-tolerant)
• A feed once a month in spring and summer

Although it’s most likely to be found in the wild in Mexico or Central America, yucca elephantipes have been grown in Europe since the 1850s. It would have been prized by rich Victorians for its very exotic appearance. The more exotic your houseplants, the wealthier you looked.

The ‘elephantipes’ part of the name is for the fact that the trunk of a mature yucca looks like an elephant’s foot. Fully grown, it can be as tall as six metres.

Yucca plants come in many varieties, and each variety has its own specific needs and requirements. When selecting a yucca, make sure to choose one that is suited to your home and climate. Our yucca, Jay, is a yucca elephantipes - also known as a spineless yucca. Owch!

Yucca plants prefer well-draining soil, so it’s important to choose a potting mix that is specifically designed for cacti and succulents. They're used to desert conditions, after all.

Yucca plants need plenty of bright, indirect sunlight. Place the plant in a south- or west-facing window for best results.

Yucca plants are very drought-tolerant, so err on the side of underwatering. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings.

Yucca plants don’t need a lot of fertiliser, but a light feeding once a month in spring and summer will help keep the plant healthy and growing.

Yucca plants can become leggy and overgrown if not pruned regularly. Trim off any dead or damaged leaves, and use sharp scissors to shape the plant as you wish.

Yucca plants can be susceptible to mealybugs, scale, and spider mites. Treat any infestations as soon as possible to prevent further damage. Clean your yucca regularly with a damp cloth - this is also a great opportunity to keep an eye out for any bugs or pests.