Question
Hi,

I have a fairly old and large Yucca plant that has always grown well without much human input, I repotted it from a fairly small pot to a much larger heavier clay one a while back and it grew very well until recently.

It's always been in front of a large window, but due to it's size I have moved it in to another room, near a radiator but not near a window.

The leaves are now turning light green/yellow and come off easily, it has also thinned out considerably, and generally looks 'sick'.

Could you please advise the best way to bring it back to health.

Many Thanks

Lisa  

Answer
Hi Lisa,

You have made a couple of 'human input' mistakes that are causing your Yucca to slowly die.

First, it should not have been repotted and even if repotting was necessary, it should have been into a pot only one size larger, not a 'much larger' one. A pot that is too large has excess soil that absorbs and retains water for too long and that causes the roots to rot. I suggest you undo your repotting and remove the soil that you added and put it back into its original pot or one of similar size.

The second mistake was moving it away from a window. Yuccas are high light plants and must be in front of your sunniest window at all times if you want them to thrive. If size is a problem, then the solution is to prune it back, not to move it to a reduced light location.

I have written articles on Yucca care and on proper repotting that explains all of this in great detail. Anyone interested in receiving these free articles can contact me by email at my address listed below.

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