Yucca palms are popular houseplants because they look exotic. The desert plants have adapted to specific habitats as they grow. The underground root system differs considerably between stem-shaped and bushy species.
What is the root structure of Yucca palms?
The root structure of yucca palms varies depending on the species: stem-forming palm lilies have a shallow root system without a main root and with reddish, brittle fine roots, while bush-forming yuccas develop underground rhizomes with numerous fine roots that serve as water reservoirs.
Growth
Yucca is the name of a genus within the asparagus family. The perennial species with a main trunk or several branches become woody over time. There are also stemless plants. The leaves are arranged like rosettes, causing the plants to develop a typical tuft. Do not confuse this plant with cassava. The roots of this spurge plant are known as Yuca in Spanish-speaking Latin America.
Stem-forming palm lilies
Typical for species from dry areas is a network of roots spread out in the topsoil. These yucca palms are shallow-rooted and do not develop a main root. Its root ball consists of reddish and slightly brittle fine roots. In this way, you can make optimal use of the low amounts of precipitation, because the rainwater does not penetrate into deeper layers of the soil, but evaporates beforehand.
Bushy Yuccas
Stemless species grow bushy and are characterized by fleshy, thickened plant parts that act as water reservoirs. These plants develop underground rhizomes from which numerous fine roots sprout. Over the years it develops many branches and rhizome shoots that are two to three centimeters thick.
Propagation
Dividing rootstocks is only possible for the bushy-growing members of the genus, as stem-forming specimens do not develop rhizomes. Some plants in this group occasionally reproduce vegetatively via root runners that sprout close to the mother plant. They can be carefully removed and put on, although success is not guaranteed.
How to proceed:
- Break off rhizome branches with a length of seven to ten centimeters
- Fill the cultivation container with a mixture of sowing soil and sand
- Put pieces into the substrate and moisten
- Keep the soil constantly moist for the next six to eight weeks
This is what you need to pay attention to
You should not cut the rhizomes into smaller pieces as this does not guarantee root formation. Normally the rhizome is protected by a corky and thick outer layer. The cells of the inner rhizome tissue are exposed at interfaces, so that microorganisms can easily settle in the soil. Cut rhizome parts are exposed to mold without protection.
The risk of colonization increases with the number of open wound areas on the plant material. A sore cork only develops over time. It is better for the plant if the corked surface is larger than the cut. If you still want to cut the daughter rhizomes, let the cut surfaces dry for about 24 hours. Dust these with charcoal powder (€14.00 on Amazon), which has proven to be an effective wound protection.
Tip
Occasionally you will come across large yucca palms with trunks on the Internet that are offered without roots. Exercise caution here. Only the species Yucca rostrata, linearifolia and thompsoniana root reliably after subsequent planting.