You know those tall, spiky plants that seemed to pop up everywhere in Aussie yards about 20 years ago? Yeah, the ones called yuccas. Turns out, they might not have been the best idea after all.


Yuccas became incredibly popular in Aussie yards between 2000 and 2010 primarily because of their modern and stylish appearance. Their tall, spiky leaves added a contemporary touch to outdoor spaces, and their resilience made them seem like an attractive choice for low-maintenance landscaping.

Additionally, yuccas were often touted as drought-tolerant plants, which appealed to many homeowners looking for greenery that could withstand Australia's harsh climate conditions. But now, they're causing more trouble than they're worth.



In a recent video posted online, Steven of horticulture blog Zani’s Gardening showed off some towering yucca trees in a neighbour's yard, standing about five meters tall. But instead of admiring them, he pointed out how their massive roots were wreaking havoc.

‘They're actually already lifting up the fence line and…starting to go over onto the concrete,’ he explained. ‘Don't plant these… and don't give them away either.’

Steven suggests that if you've got yuccas, it's best to get rid of them ASAP.

‘Just cut them off, chuck them out,’ he advises. ‘Don't give them to your nature strip for free, just get rid of them now.’



And it's not just Steven who's had enough of yuccas. Aussies all over social media are sharing horror stories of their own encounters. One person even mentioned how their shovel gave up the ghost while trying to wrestle a yucca out of their yard.

‘We had yuccas in our front garden, took forever to remove them all,’ shared another frustrated homeowner.

‘A family friend wanted some so she took a few clippings. She hired a tree removal company to remove them,’ they added, highlighting the lengths they went to rid themselves of these pesky plants.


And it wasn't just one or two yuccas causing trouble—someone else revealed, ‘Our whole garden beds were full of yuccas when we moved in. I ripped them all out. The root system was a nightmare.’

Another person chimed in with a cautionary tale: A yucca plant growing too close to their home had broken the structure’s brick and gutters.

With stories like these flooding in, it's no wonder many folks are ready to bid farewell to their yucca infestations pronto.


But it's not just the physical damage yuccas can cause. According to Steven, they're also a nightmare for drain pipes and concrete. And apparently, they're keeping arborists pretty busy these days.

It seems like Steven's post struck a chord with a lot of people. ‘I always wondered if I was the only one that has a bee in their bonnet over them—apparently, I'm not!’ he says.


So, if you've got yuccas lurking in your yard, it might be time to say goodbye. Trust us, your garden—will thank you for it. If you are looking to transform your garden in other ways check out our top picks for low maintenance plants that will transform your garden!

We'd love to hear about your experiences with yucca plants or other invasive species in your gardens. Have you faced similar challenges? What steps have you taken to address them?