Choosing the Best Companion Plants for a Yucca

Yucca plants are enchanting additions to a home or garden. They are indigenous to the Americas and grow naturally in the arid, desert climates of the American South and Mexico. Most unique about Yucca plants is their pollination process, which is entirely dependent upon a symbiotic relationship with an organism called the Yucca moth. Planting tiger lilies and other resilient species along with your Yucca plants can be a great way to enhance your garden space.

If you know that you would like to plant a variety of Yucca in your garden, familiarize yourself with the sunlight and soil needs of Yucca plants to make the best choice for companion plants. Read on to learn about the basics of Yucca plant growth and blossoming.

Yucca Plant Climate and Sunlight Requirements

Yucca plants grow naturally in harsh, dry climates with ample sunshine and minimal water. Although juvenile Yucca plants are fragile and susceptible to weather and atmosphere, adult Yuccas are hardy plants that can survive in a variety of climates.

Plant your Yuccas in a mixture of half soil and half sand to emulate the desert climate that is their native home. Additionally, Yuccas need full sunlight for most of the day, although it may be beneficial to have partial shade in the afternoon while the flowers are blooming in the spring and summer in order to preserve them. Water your plant regularly but not often.

Typically, Yucca plants require little to no care once they have settled and established a root system. In fact, many people find that their Yucca plants tend to take over their garden if they fail to trim them back each year.

Companion Plants for Yuccas

Pair your Yucca with equally resilient plants that have similar soil and sunlight requirements. Tiger Lilies, Sedum, Rudbeckia, Sage and Yarrow all thrive in similar conditions and bloom at the same time as Yucca. These plants look beautiful next to each other and will produce a huge number of flowers during the late spring and summer.

Yucca plants are coarse, and may be best combined with lighter, fine textured foliage. Sedum, Ceratostigma, Coreopsis and many types of grass provide an excellent contrast with the spiky leaves and bristles of the Yucca plant.

Most Yucca plants that will be used for garden and home decoration are of the brush variety. Some Yuccas grow in a tree-like configuration, featuring a trunk and distinct limbs. Brush-type Yucca plants grow short and stout, and may be best paired with taller plants or species that are more vine-like for contrast.

Yucca plants can outgrow other species sharing the same flower bed if you are not careful. Take precautions against this by trimming your Yucca plant back considerably each year. The plant will bloom at the cut point at the beginning of the summer. Doing this will help to clear the way for companion plants that can help to highlight the natural beauty of the Yucca, and ensure that your garden is inviting and attractive for years to come.