Question

dying yukka   Hi there..please help...recently repotted my 10 year old yukka...and though it's indoors and doesn't get much light, it never has done really and has been fine...

I repotted it cos it looked like it needed it and I thought it was suffering..it's now all drooping, the leaves are yellowing and the stems just breaking and it looks like it's a matter of time...

Anything to do to save it? I attach two pics

cheers, Chris from London, Uk

Answer
Hi Chris,

The primary problem is that your Yucca is suffering from rotting roots caused by the unnecessary repotting. Appearance and relieving suffering are not good reasons to repot. The large pot with added soil keeps the soil around the roots from drying out quickly enough after watering and that is why the roots are rotting. Rotted roots are not able to absorb water properly and that is why the stems are now drooping.

If you repotted within the last couple of months, then  undo the repotting by removing all of the soil you added and move the original rootball back into its original pot. If you repotted more than a couple of months age, then it is likely the roots are so badly rotted that the Yucca cannot be salvaged.

Contributing to the problem is inadequate light. The light you have provided for 10 years has been barely enough to keep it alive. In reduced light, plants grow more slowly, use less water and do not need larger pots. Yuccas need to be right in front of a sunny uncovered window in order to thrive and survive for a long time.

The badly drooping lower stems should be cut off because they will not recover.

Allow the top third of the soil to dry out in between waterings.

I have written articles on Yucca care and repotting that I will email for free to you (or anyone else) who sends a request to me at [email protected].

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

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