If the yucca suddenly develops yellow leaves that look like they have dried up and die off, the leaves suddenly droop or the trunk even becomes soft, then the plant is most likely dying. There are several reasons for this, although excess water is the most common. How to proceed to save the beautiful plant - with step-by-step instructions.
The yucca palm cannot always be saved
Reasons for the death of the yucca
The dying of the yucca is almost always due to care errors - in most cases to frequent watering. Contrary to popular belief, the yucca (or palm lily) is not a palm tree that grows in rather humid, tropical regions. Instead, the yucca belongs to the agave family and is more at home in the arid and semi-arid regions of the southern United States and Central America. There, the plant has adapted perfectly to the existing living conditions: it is a succulent plant that evaporates very little water, especially in very hot weather. That's why you shouldn't water the yucca excessively even in summer - an interval of once or twice a week is clearly too much. In addition to an excess of water, there are other reasons for a die-off:
- Roots were damaged as a result of recent repotting.
- The drainage is not sufficient, which is why the roots are wet and therefore rot.
- The yucca is permanently too dark and/or gets drafts.
- The yucca is infested with fungal or bacterial pathogens.
- The yucca suffers from a heavy pest infestation.
- The yucca was not fertilized sufficiently / excessively.
- The yucca was overwintered incorrectly.
Not every yucca is hardy
Keep in mind that the typical room yuccas in particular are anything but hardy. These yucca species must never be exposed to temperatures below 10 °C - otherwise there is a risk of frost damage and the plant will die. Only designated garden yuccas can be kept outside without hesitation.
Saving Yucca - How to proceed
Whatever the reason, you should go to the rescue of your yucca as soon as possible and do the following:
- First, unpot the yucca and inspect the roots.
- Do they smell foul, are they brown and mushy?
- Then all you have to do is cut off the healthy parts of the plant with a sharp knife
- and to root as tufted or stem cuttings.
- Plant the cuttings in the ground straight away and do not put a plastic bag or similar over them!
- On the other hand, if the roots are still reasonably healthy, cut away anything that is soggy
- and remove the diseased plant parts above ground.
- Plant the rest in fresh soil.
- Larger wounds on the trunk should always be straightened and treated with a wound sealant.
With a bit of luck and good care, the yucca will sprout again.
tips
Even if the yucca has only broken off (which can happen with very large specimens in particular), the fragment and the mother plant can still be saved in the manner described.