When deciding which yucca seeds are the best, it is usually helpful to decide whether the resulting plants will be kept inside or transplanted outside. Mature yuccas can make beautiful and visually interesting additions to landscapes and gardens, and several varieties also make good houseplants. These plants generally require plenty of sunlight to thrive, but some kinds have very specific environmental requirements. It is fairly easy to grow yuccas from seed, and the resulting plants are generally low maintenance. A range of seeds is available for purchase, although it is also possible to harvest seeds from pollinated plants found in their natural environment.
If the mature yuccas will be transplanted outdoors, the variety should be appropriate to the growing conditions available. Yuccas are usually associated with hot, arid climates. Some kinds can do well in other environments, provided they get adequate sunlight and are not exposed to excessively damp conditions. Visiting a local plant nursery may be helpful in choosing the best kind of yucca seeds to grow for specific outdoor climates.
Yucca varieties can make excellent houseplants. They are relatively easy to grow and care for, as long as they get enough sunlight and have adequate space to grow. Common plant health issues for yuccas include brown leaves or cane rot as a result of watering too frequently; an insect infestation usually referred to as scale; and some fungal diseases. These problems are often easily remedied with judicious pruning, natural insecticides, and proper growing conditions.
Yucca seeds are available for purchase, but can also be gathered from pollinated plants growing in their natural environment. These plants are usually fertilized when a female yucca moth lays her eggs deep in the flowers, forcing pollen into the flower at the same time. When the yucca moth larvae hatch, they bore into and feed on some of the seeds. Once the seedpods have dried, they will split open and scatter the seeds on the ground, making them easy to collect. It is important to make sure seeds gathered this way are free of the tiny holes left by yucca moth larvae.
Germinating yucca seeds typically involves placing the seeds on a damp paper towel in a flat plastic tray, and then placing the prepared seed tray in a warm, sunny spot. Seeds can also be planted directly into soil, although the seed tray method may yield better results. Once the yuccas have sprouted, the seedlings can be moved to pots with a sandy soil mixture and watered approximately once every ten days to two weeks. Germination can take a month to one year, with full maturity achieved within approximately two to three years.