Question
My yucca plant keeps getting spots on the lower leaves, then turns yellow and dies.  The stem of the plant then becomes longer and longer, with fewer leaves.  What can be done?  Thank you.

Answer
Dorian,

I am not sure that there is anything "wrong" with your Yucca plant.  (Yucca cane?) Yuccas have that kind of growing habit; the lower leaves yellow and fall off after a while.  The result is a long, leafless cane with a tuft of green leaves at the top.

Presently, I have a yucca cane that is probably 20 years old, and I have cut the long stems and rooted the top and cut the stem into segments and rooted them also.  This rejuvenates the "top" and provides a great source for new plants to give to friends.

Now, if you think that there are too many leaves lost, then you may have a nitrogen deficiency/nutrient deficiency.  Such deficiencies can cause spots and yellowing on the lower leaves.  I would suggest application of a general fertilizer with micronutrients.  These should be applied only when the plant is actively growing as the plant will not use them if not actively growing.  The application will not harm the plant, but it is just a waste of nutrients.

So, water the yucca with a liquid fertilizer with micronutrients, place in a sunny spot and wait to see if the chlorosis (yellowing) improves.