Question
I have 2 Yucca plants, one 5"diameter and 3.5 feet tall; the second one is 2"diameter and 2 feet tall.  Both of them are in the same pot that is 16" in diameter and 14 inches high.  The small plant is doing fine, but the large one lately is losing leaves, they dry out from the core of the leaf.  We noticed that the bark on this plant is separated from the trunk - I can feel an air gap underneath the bark (this condition is 2 feet in length from the bottom of the plant).  I did not check the roots of this plant.  What should I do to save this gorgeous plant?  What is wrong with it?
Thank You, Elizabeth

Answer
Elizabeth,

I'm not sure what you mean when you say the bark is loose. Does the trunk feel mushy?  The leaves drying out from the core usually indicates it is not getting enough light. This plant should be sitting next to a south facing window  with drapes or blinds open all day. It is a desert plant and needs to be treated like a cactus, lots of sun and little water. Indoors even sitting next to a window it does not get enough light so you will have some leaves turning brown. Remove them and it reveals a beautiful trunk. In the summer put the plant outside where it will get sun in the morning but not in the hot afternooon. That will make it very happy and it will grow well during the summer with watering every 3-4 days. In the winter indoors do not water it until it has felt dry for several days, like a cactus.  If you have more questions and you can please send me a picture showing the loose bark on the trunk. Send the picture to [email protected].
Good luck.

Darlene