Yucca Soil

[JasonVA]

Hello...last year I planted a windmill palm in my yard that I've seen grow pretty well over the past year so this year I've decided to plant a Yucca rostrata in a section that just off my driveway. I dug a hold in the spot that I plan on putting the Yucca and later that day we had substantial rain and the hole filled up with water(I'm in SE Virginia so we have lots of clay). What I've learned is that this is no bueno for a Yucca. So, this weekend I plan on renting an auger and drilling down all in the area where I plan on planting it to loosen up the soil to provide better drainage. Does this make sense? The dirt that comes out of the holes I plan on using to create a mound to plant the Yucca on. With all this being said, what would be the ideal composition to backfill the ground with? Will mixing together some native soil with pebbles and perlite work. Or should I mix in some sand as well? Thanks for reading and any input provided.

[Silas_Sancona]

  On 7/3/2024 at 1:46 PM, JasonVA said:

Hello...last year I planted a windmill palm in my yard that I've seen grow pretty well over the past year so this year I've decided to plant a Yucca rostrata in a section that just off my driveway. I dug a hold in the spot that I plan on putting the Yucca and later that day we had substantial rain and the hole filled up with water(I'm in SE Virginia so we have lots of clay). What I've learned is that this is no bueno for a Yucca. So, this weekend I plan on renting an auger and drilling down all in the area where I plan on planting it to loosen up the soil to provide better drainage. Does this make sense? The dirt that comes out of the holes I plan on using to create a mound to plant the Yucca on. With all this being said, what would be the ideal composition to backfill the ground with? Will mixing together some native soil with pebbles and perlite work. Or should I mix in some sand as well? Thanks for reading and any input provided.

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JasonVA, Welcome to the Forum,

Thick mucky clay = probably not good for this Yucca sp, though they can tolerate soil that is a little less optimal  drainage - wise  either Your native soil=  No issues for the native Yucca sps out there however.

When the hole filled w/ rain water runoff, how long did the water remain in the hole? ..15mins to Hour or so?,  that shouldn't be an issue.. Overnight / 24 hours < or longer > not a good spot.

Would amend the soil where you intend to plant it with stuff like river grit / gravel,  Turface MVP,  and /or  Pumice ..DITCH the Perlite..

Really fine sand will just mix with the finer clay particle content of the native soil ( ...if your soil is clay heavy )  and create a concrete -like mess that will definitely stay too wet.

Definitely plant on a mound as well.

[JasonVA]

Thanks for the great information. The water in the hole was gone in 24 hours but was mucky for another day or two. Copy on not using Perlite, will use gravel/pebbles instead.