Question
I live in Phoenix, Arizona and have a mature (planted 15 years ago) Spanish Dagger Yucca plant outside in my yard in full sun.  EVERY year at summer time all of the plants' leaves turn very yellow and most die and need to be removed.  I end up removing alot of the leaves or need to cut the brown dead ends off.  This year one of the branches has died completly.  It still, however, continues to grow at a healthy rate. How often and how much watering should it have?  What can be done to keep the leaves greener in the summer?  Everything I read says this plant is suppose to love full sun, yet it looks so ugly in the summer when it goes from a beautiful green to yellow.

Answer
Dear Cindi,

I also live in the same area and had the same plant as you with the same issue. The problem is that, that particular yucca is not a desert plant. We have a very hot summer so far with very little rain, which just makes it worse. Unfortunately, too much water in our soil will kill this plant. If your plant recovers every year, then I would not change how you are caring for it. This web page may help you: http://ag.arizona.edu/pima/gardening/aridplants/Yucca_gloriosa.html

Hope this helps,

Greg