Question
Hello. I recently purchased an indoor yucca plant with three stems and noticed once I got home that one of the stems is soft and mushy along one of its sides (from the top to about 8" down). A few drops of dark liquid have also drained from the stem when I have pushed on the muchy area, but the leaves above seem very healthy. Is there hope for it or will that stem innevitably die? Is there anything that can be done to remove the mushy part of the stem and save it? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
Hi Chantal,

I don't know if you are referring to a green stem that grows out of the top of the bark-covered cane or the thick cane itself. If it is the former, any portion of the green stem above the soft portion will eventually die, so you should cut off and discard the upper stem above the soft part. If it is the cane itself that has gone soft, then the entire cane and its stems will die. There is no way to remedy this.

I don't know why this happened, but if it is a new plant, then you should return it and request a refund because it is a defective plant.

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  www.HorticulturalHelp.com