Every plant needs a balanced composition of nutrients for vigorous growth and optimal he alth. In particular, not fertilizing potted plants at all literally causes them to starve - but insufficient fertilization as well as too much fertilizer can also have harmful effects.
How should you fertilize a yucca palm?
A yucca palm should be supplied with liquid green plant fertilizer (€8.00 at Amazon) every two weeks during the growth phase from March to September. A lime-containing fertilizer or water containing lime is optimal. Alternatively, home remedies such as nettle manure, cooking water from potatoes or vegetables and aquarium water can be used.
Fertilize indoor yucca only during the growth phase
Planted garden yuccas usually provide themselves with nutrients, so you only need to fertilize them with a little compost in spring. However, palm lilies cultivated in pots are urgently dependent on a regular supply of nutrients and should therefore
- repotted into fresh substrate every two to three years
- and every two weeks with liquid green plant fertilizer (€8.00 at Amazon)
be taken care of. However, fertilization is only necessary during the growth period between March and September; indoor yuccas should also be given a rest period in winter.
Provide yucca with calcareous fertilizer
In addition to the usual nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and so on, a yucca especially needs lime. To ensure it receives sufficient supply, you should either use a lime-containing fertilizer or – much easier and cheaper – water the plant with lime-containing water. However, be careful not to wet the leaves as this will cause unsightly stains.
Fertilize Yucca with inexpensive home remedies
Instead of expensive special fertilizers from the garden center, you can of course also use tried-and-tested, easy-to-make fertilizers from your home kitchen. Word has probably gotten around that coffee is a good plant fertilizer - but not for every plant. Coffee grounds are particularly suitable for plants that prefer more acidic soil. This does not include the yucca. Instead of coffee powder, you can use the following home remedies:
- Stinging nettle manure (leave crushed nettles in a bucket of water for 14 days, stirring frequently)
- Boiling water for potatoes and vegetables
- Aquarium water (only from freshwater aquariums!)
Stinging nettle manure also has the advantage that it is very effective at keeping pests away from the plants. However, the broth smells terrible and is therefore not necessarily recommended for houseplants.
Yellow leaves can indicate nutrient deficiency
If your yucca suddenly gets a lot of yellow leaves, this is often due to incorrect (i.e. too frequent) watering. Sometimes, however, there is also a lack of nutrients.
Tip
Be careful when fertilizing with nitrogen: Yuccas are very vigorous and respond quickly to this growth agent. If you don't want the plant to touch the ceiling too quickly, fertilize sparingly.
