Question
unknown plant
A year ago I received a tree-like plant as a gift. I have never been able to figure out what it is, but i've included a picture. I don't know the best way to take care of this plant is-- I've seen some really big gorgeous plants exactly like this in coffee shops and I would love if my plant were as healthy and grew as huge as those-- how can I make it do that? Also, for the past 6 months or more it has been producing this spore-like white stuff on the inside of the leaves where they grow out of the center of the stem, and I'm not sure this is normal. I left the plant alone in my room for two weeks while I was on vacation and many of the leaves died and many of the dead leaves are covered in this white sporey looking mold, and recently there has been brownish particles in the mold as well-- i can only attach one picture so i put one of the whole plant, but i have pics of the mold as well if you want to see them. Please help me figure out how to make my plant more healthy. Thanks!
AnswerIt's not the best picture, but I'm pretty sure what you have is Yucca elephantipes, a tropical species of yucca. Dracaena marjinata is a similar looking plant that is a more common interior plant, which may be what you have seen. Though your yucca isn't very uncommon either.
Yuccas need brighter light than other interior plants. Some direct sun is preferable. It is impossible to give your yucca too much light. Yuccas don't like soil that is constantly moist, so let it dry out between waterings. Never let it sit in standing water.
A dose of fertilizer twice per year will help it grow faster. The other two main factors that affect its growth rate are light and correct watering.
I'm certain that the "mold" you see is actually an insect called a meally bug. If you dig around in the white fluff, you can probably find the insect. They are sucking sap out of the veins, which is why they congregate around the midvein. There are several ways to get rid of them. 1) I've been using bubble gum soap from the Dollar Tree and it works better than anything. Mix a tablespoon or so with water in a spray bottle and squirt all the affected leaves. 2) a 50/50 rubbing alcohol/ water mix works well when sprayed on the leaves. 3) Wipe them off with a soapy rag or sponge. Don't use detergent soap if you do this.
Good luck,
Trey
