Yuccas Flattened by Heavy Snow

Question

Our Yucca in Takoma Park, MD were under heavier than usual snowcover in February and March [up to 3 feet], and the leaves are now creased, bent, and flattened instead of upright. These Yucca were transplanted two springs ago and are not very tall. The trunks are only 6-8 inches high. Some of the root was left in the original site and these Yucca are even smaller, having sprung from leftover root pieces. Are we doomed to have flattened Yucca all season or will they straighten out? Or do we have to prune back all the creased and bent leaves?

Answer 1

I would give them some time to see if they recover. Yucca leaves are pretty stiff, almost like the slats of blinds. You may be able to pop them back into shape, so I would give that a try, if you have not done so already.

If they don’t recover in a month, then you will most likely have “flat” yuccas for the summer. But the plant will begin to grow new leaves and should be fine for next year.