There are numerous different species of palm lilies from different areas of Central and Eastern America. Some are more suitable for the garden, others make excellent houseplants. But everyone likes it bright, warm and dry.
Which types of palm lilies are suitable as houseplants?
The Yucca elephantipes (giant palm lily) and the Yucca aloifolia (also incorrectly called the yucca palm) are particularly suitable for the apartment. Both species prefer bright, warm locations, little water and larger planters for good root development.
Which species are particularly suitable for the apartment?
Both the Yucca elephantipes and the candle palm lily (Yucca gloriosa) make excellent houseplants. The Yucca gloriosa grows slowly and only forms a trunk as it gets older. It has long sword-shaped leaves in a gray to blue-green color. Since it is hardy, it is also suitable as a garden plant.
The Yucca elephantipes owes its name to its trunk, which is thickened at the bottom. It's somewhat reminiscent of an elephant's foot. The German name for this plant is “giant palm lily” because it grows up to 10 meters high in its Mexican homeland. Several trunks grow from the thickened base.
The Yucca elephantipes likes to spend the summer outdoors, for example on the balcony or terrace. But at temperatures below 15 °C it likes to move back into your living room because it is not hardy. Palm lilies produce beautiful flowers, but unfortunately not when kept as houseplants.
The most famous palm lily
The best-known indoor palm lily is probably the Yucca aloifolia, also incorrectly called the yucca palm. The only thing that connects palm lilies with palms is the appearance of the leaves, because botanically speaking they are agave plants from the asparagus family. The Yucca aloifolia has an even, relatively thick trunk. If the plant has become too large, it can be divided into several pieces.
The Yucca aloifolia can also be kept outside in summer. They come in different subspecies with differently colored and striped leaves. For example, the “Marginata” variety has dark green leaves with a yellow edge and the “Quadricolor” variety has longitudinal stripes in green, yellow, white and red.
Tips for palm lilies in the apartment:
- bright warm location
- water little
- Avoid waterlogging
- choose a sufficiently large plant pot
- also suitable as patio or balcony decoration in summer
Tips & Tricks
The types of giant palm lily and the so-called yucca palm are particularly suitable as houseplants.
