I've seen several different types of Yuccas. Mine are the tropical tree type. I believe what you are looking for. I have several. One is 10 ft. tall and I don't know where I am going to put it!!! I am not sure of the type you are looking for. If it is what you are looking for let me know. Thanks, Julie :)

I have not transplanted a yucca that has grown in place from seed; container grown specimens transplant beautifully even many years later. Recurvifolia doesn't even need roots, it will regenerate new ones. I have not worked with elata. My advice is to wait until mid-spring. Of course you'll want to have your holes dug before digging the elatas. In my opinion, if you have to cut the taproot, the yucca is going to be set back no matter what you do. A bunch of water is just asking for rot IMHO. I would not water until it had been very hot and dry for several weeks. Then soak it well and don't water again until it totally dries out again. Maybe 5 deep soakings over the course of the summer. No more after August. I believe I read that skinny leaved Yuccas are apt to die back if transplanted but they should quickly recover next summer because by then they will have a good root system. Of course I live in the Mississippi River valley. It is very humid, rains a lot and the soil is heavy. And admitedly I have not worked with elata.

i'm not familiar w/ cacti type plants. but i googled your yucca and did not find much on transplanting. however i did not spend a lot of time searching. you could google and find it's dormant time. what i suggest is moving it when it is least active in growth. dig the new hole first or prepare the container and be ready. when you do move it, do it as quick as possible and let it settle in. i did read something on google about a transplant that was not watered for a few days. usually when we transplant something we water it more frequently til it re-establishes. this may not be the case for yucca and other cacti types. i bet there is a cacti/succulent forum and they would answer you. good luck with it.

I can tell you that they do transplant well. In fact, I picked up a few large clumps someone threw into garden debris outside their house. The plants didn't even have roots at the time, and it was mid Summer (rooted without any issues). Probably better to wait for milder weather and better to take as many roots as you can, but these are really survivors. Just not sure of the wisdom moving them in this continued arctic cold. Good luck!