How do you take care of desert plants?

For yuccas, it is important once it is watered let the soil dry out before watering.  They prefer well-drained soil, and make sure they receive plenty of bright sunlight. If the soil planting in is mainly clay amending the soil is recommended.  Use coarse sand or gravel mixed with soil for a well draining mixture.  Digging the planting hole too deep is not a good practice.  If your soil type is mainly clay, then leave the top of the root ball above grade around 3 to 4 inches and mound the sand/soil mixture up to the top of root ball for better drainage.  Some cannot tolerate temperatures below freezing, so should be protected from frost during the winter months.  Some of the yucca species we sell are cold tolerant to -20 degrees Fahrenheit.  It is important to fertilize yuccas at least once a year and prune them regularly to maintain their shape. 

For palm trees, they should be planted in well-draining soil and kept away from areas with excessive wind or cold temperatures.  Most palms require lots of bright light, and should be watered thoroughly but not too often. Palm trees should be fertilized three times a year, and any dead or diseased fronds should be pruned off regularly.

Cacti prefer sandy, well-draining soil and plenty of sun. They need very little water and are typically drought tolerant, so they should only be watered when the soil is completely dry. Cacti should also be fertilized once every few months and pruned when necessary. It is important to keep cacti away from areas with extreme temperature fluctuations, as this can damage the plant’s root system. With proper care, these desert plants can thrive in their natural environment for many years.