Question
Will,

I have recently bought a Yucca plant. It has a tall double headed stem and some smaller stems in the same pot. Over the last week the leaves have started falling off and have now turned yellow and completely drooped on one of the taller double stems. The top of that stem (by the leaves) has also gone soft. It hasn't been sat in water and the soil isn't overly moist. What is causing the problem? Some of the other stems leaves are falling off. Is there anything i can do with that stem? By cutting the rotten stem away? I've considered re-potting would that help?
I have moved it to a much lighter position to see if that will help improve the other stems.

Any help would be much appreciated,

David

Answer
Hi David,

Although you have given good information describing the plant and its symptoms, it is hard for me to tell what is wrong because you haven't described the available light or your watering routine.

When the growing tip goes soft or becomes discolored, it usually means that the roots are dying back and that is not good. This can be caused by inadequate light or not allowing to soil to dry out sufficiently between waterings or both.

Yuccas must be located right in front of a sunny window that is uncovered throughout the day. They do not do well in low indoor light. I don't know how long yours was in lower light and just how poor that light was so it is hard to say how much inadequate light is contributing to your plant's decline.

Yuccas prefer to be kept tightly potted and watered only when the top quarter of the soil is dry. Again, I don't know your watering routine so I cannot say for sure how much improper watering is contributing to the problem.

Repotting will not help and neither will fertilizer. There is no substitute for lots of sunlight and proper watering. I hope this information helps you and is not too late to save your Yucca.

I have written an article on Yucca care 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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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

Visit my website at: A link to HorticulturalHelp.com