Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
67 ratings

Friday - May 26, 2006

From: Morgan, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Propagation, Transplants
Title: Transplanting of yucca plants
Answered by: Nan Hampton and Joe Marcus

QUESTION:

We have several Arkansas Yucca plants in our yard that we want to transplant to a plant bed. How do we do that?

ANSWER:

The yuccas should be transplanted in the fall. You can improve your chances for success in transplanting mature yucca by pre-digging them now. Pre-digging them means taking your spade and, working around the circumference of the plant, cut down to sever the ends of the roots. This will encourage the cut end attached to the plant to make new branched root ends to help the plant in its new location. When you dig the yuccas to transplant in the fall, try to get as much dirt with the roots as possible. Your very best chance of success, however, is to transplant small "pup" plants.

 

More Propagation Questions

Iris brevicaulis in Southwest Michigan
April 22, 2007 - We live in Kalamazoo, MI (Southwest Michigan Zone 6) and discovered last year that we have an iris brevicaulis (we think) growing (and very pretty) on our property. It has the "zig zag" stem. It see...
view the full question and answer

Transplanting Turks Cap, when and how
September 10, 2007 - Mr. Smarty Pants - We have an enormous healthy Turk's Cap - not the lily, but the one with red flowers(Malvaviscus arboreus v. drummondii) It has also produced a new plant nearby. Please tell us how...
view the full question and answer

Propagation of Prunus Mexicana in Rusk TX
July 29, 2009 - How do you scarify seeds from the Prunus Mexicana? Can the branches be made to grow roots?
view the full question and answer

Propagation of Cordyline fruticosa from Port St. Lucie FL
July 23, 2010 - Hawaiian Ti Plant, Good Luck Plant, Ti Plant (Cordyline fruticosa) I found 4 of these cut without roots. What is the best way to have them grow roots? Directly in water, moist soil, or regular soil...
view the full question and answer

Practicality of growing bluebonnets in Germany
July 28, 2006 - I am originally from Texas, but I am living in Washington and moving to Germany for the military. I desperately miss bluebonnets and my husband picked up a big bag for me as a present and have no ide...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.