If you own a yucca plant or are planning to own one then you should be aware of its needs. One of the needs includes if they thrive in full sun or if they thrive in the shade. Knowing what your plants want can help them thrive and as a result, grow fuller and healthy leaves.
Do yucca plants like full sun or shade?
Even though yucca plants are indoor plants, most of them thrive when they are exposed to full sun. They can survive in partial shade but will not reach their maximum capacity and as a result, will not have a ton of leaves or flowers. Only some varieties of yucca plants do well in partial shade.
Full sunlight at least twelve hours a day is very vital to help yucca plants grow to their full potential and be healthy. These plants come from a natural environment where it is very sunny and the temperatures are higher.
As a result, to make sure that your plant is thriving and happy you will have to do your very best to mimic such an environment as much as you possibly can.
Giving your yucca plant full sun will allow them to carry out the process of photosynthesis more efficiently. As a result, they will receive the sufficient energy needed to direct that towards growing. You will not require a lot of effort for them to thrive.
Keeping them in the shade or partial shade for prolonged periods of time can cause stress to your plants and you might notice that the leaves are browning on the edges or turning yellow and their growth will be stunted.
There will not be enough leaves, the branches will be weaker and thinner and there will not be many flowers growing. Keeping them in the sunlight will allow them to use the energy to the fullest potential and they can grow even up to an entire nine feet tall or more.
Do yucca plants like direct sunlight?
No, yucca plants are decorative plants and they cannot tolerate direct sunlight over a stretch of time. Decorative plants are those that have beautiful foliage present that can amp up the look of any room and add more life to it.
Most yucca plants love sunlight but they can tolerate only indirect sunlight. Their ideal living conditions would be bright and filtered or indirect sunlight.
This is because receiving direct sunlight over a period of time can end up damaging the beautiful foliage of the plant and scorching its leaves. Therefore, it is best to keep them in an area of your room where direct sun rays will not end up hurting your plant.
Besides that, there are some yucca plants present that can grow in the shade as well. One such example would be the Arkansas which is a small yucca variety that does not need the sun as much.
If you do not want any flowering and just have the plant showcase its beautiful foliage then you can grow them in some partial shade.
How much sun does a yucca need?
On average most yucca plants require bright and indirect sunlight for at least eight hours or more per day for them to thrive.
Keeping them near a window facing the west side for six to eight hours at the very least will do the job. Just make sure that the sunlight your yucca plant is receiving is filtered.
What conditions do yucca plants like?
For any kind of plant, there are some ideal living conditions that they thrive in. Providing those conditions to your yucca plant will allow them to grow to their full potential.
Full sunlight:
Most yucca plants come from very sunny regions which mean that they do the best when they receive full sunlight.
If you keep your yucca plant in an area where it does not receive too much sunlight then do keep in mind to shift it to a place where it can receive full sunlight for at least six to eight hours per day.
They love bright but indirect sunlight and can grow as well as can flower the best when exposed to it. However, there are also some varieties of yucca present that can do well in the shade too.
These yuccas are usually ones that are smaller and bushier in size and cannot grow tall like the others.
Do not give them too much water:
Yucca plants do not do well if they receive too much water and you should always be aware as to how much water they should receive.
Too much water can cause their soil to rot and attract fungus and bacteria which is why they thrive when you water it less.
Only water them when the top three-inch of the soil dries out and ensure that their pot has good drainage so the excess water can leave the soil. Give them water only on a regular basis during the growing season to help them with flowering and growing.
Temperature:
Yucca plants originate from desert regions which is why they thrive in warmer weather.
They do well in normal levels of humidity as well as slightly drier conditions as long as there is no stark temperature change.
Stark differences in weather conditions such as a gust of wind from the air conditioner or the heat from a heater can stress out the plant so do not keep them near any places where they might experience this.
Soil and Fertilizer:
Yucca plants are adaptable to any kind of soil as long as they have good drainage and are loose soil.
Just ensure to fertilize them regularly during the growing season to help them thrive and grow beautiful and healthy foliage as well as flowers.
Where do yucca plants grow best?
Yucca plants will grow the best if you plant them near a window facing the west side. They will thrive and grow the best when they receive bright and indirect sunlight.
Receiving bright sunlight for six to eight hours per day will help it receive the energy and nutrients needed for growing and staying healthy. Do not give them direct sunlight as it can damage their leaves and do not keep them in the shade as it can result in stunted growth.
Will yucca plants grow in shade?
Not all yucca plants will grow well in the shade. There are some varieties of the yucca plant present that are smaller in nature. They do not grow as tall as the other yucca plants and these plants tend to be more tolerant towards the shade.
Otherwise, all the other remaining yucca plants love the sunlight, and not giving them enough sunlight in a day will result in very slow and stubborn growth and almost zero flowerings.
Can a yucca plant take full sun?
Most yucca plants can take full sun and they thrive in it. However, you must ensure that the full sun that they take is indirect or filtered. This is because these plants have slightly sensitive foliage.
If you expose them to direct sunlight for longer periods of time then the sun can end up damaging their beautiful foliage.
You will end up seeing scorched leaves or black marks on their leaves. As long as you give them indirect but bright sunlight they are good to go and receive all the nutrients and energy needed to grow.
Can a yucca get too much sun?
As long as the sunlight is indirect and filtered your yucca plant will not ever get too much sun.
If you however leave them in an area where the sunlight is harsh and direct for a long period of time the leaves will start to turn yellow and then get scorched up leaving dark black or brown marks on them.
Do yucca plants like heat?
Yucca plants come from desert regions and are more comfortable in warm temperatures. They do not require humidity or misting and do just fine in any indoor conditions.
However, you will have to keep in mind to not expose your yucca plant to any sources of direct heat. This is because the sudden temperature difference can shock your plant.
Yucca plants are very sensitive to such temperature shocks and it can result in stunted growth for a period of time, yellow leaves, and even droopy leaves.
Keep them away from any form of a heater or air conditioner and they will do well in normal temperature conditions inside your house.
Can yucca plants survive without sunlight?
Yucca plants are fairly resilient and they can still survive in the shade or partial shade. However, not giving them proper and bright sunlight for a few hours every single day can result in stunted growth.
They will grow very slowly and the leaves will not be as healthy and full. The branches will be thinner and there will not be many flowers. Yucca plants require bright sunlight for the energy and nutrients to grow into beautiful and healthy plants.
Without the sunlight they will still survive, they will just not be as tall and healthy and the leaves will be a little droopy too.
What happens when a yucca plant is placed in shade?
There are some yucca plants that can do well in the shade or partial shade. Even then if you do not expose those plants to the sunlight for at least a few hours they will not flower well.
Other yucca plants that thrive in the sunlight will end up showing stunted growth in the shade with zero flowerings, droopy and thinner leaves as well as thin branches. They will not be that healthy.
Final Thoughts:
Most yuccas love the full sun as it gives them the energy and nutrients required to grow to their full capacity. Always ensure that they are near a window receiving bright but indirect sunlight. If they are in a shady region then ensure to keep them out in the sunlight for at least six hours a day.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is a Yucca a Cactus or Succulent?
Can a Yucca Plant Live Outside and Inside?
Are Yucca Roots Invasive? Do They Have Deep Roots?