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 Transplants Questions

Propagation of Ashe junipers
June 04, 2008 - I am trying to re-build what man has destroyed in the Kingsland/Marble Falls area on a property we own out there. I would LOVE to plant a couple ashe junipers for several reasons, a couple being: 1. ...
view the full question and answer

Problems with transplanting cenizo in Weatherford TX
September 29, 2009 - I tried to transplant a Silverado Sage into a large pot but within 1 day it started wilting. Could it be the soil? I used potting soil not soil from the ground which is a sandy soil.
view the full question and answer

Trimming back Agave havardiana
June 05, 2008 - Hi.. thanks for all the great information on Agaves. We have a number of Agave Havardiana (blue) that love where we planted them. Several have gotten HUGE. So much so that they are starting to ge...
view the full question and answer

Transplanting roughleaf dogwood in Pflugerville, TX
March 28, 2007 - Hello. My rougleaf dogwood is suckering enthusiastically, and rather than mow off all the root suckers, I'd like to transplant a couple of them to the stream bank in the greenbelt behind my house. ...
view the full question and answer

Laurel oak tree not leafing out in Pasadena TX
April 13, 2010 - Hurricane Ike blew down our red bud in the backyard. Had a large 25' laurel oak planted early March 2010. When it was put in the ground, the leaves were on it, but they were all brown and dried. T...
view the full question and answer

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