Question

MyYucca   I bought yucca more than year ago and replanted right away. I keep it in front of the window. Last summer some leaves covered with small brown spots. And I started watering it less. It seemed to be ok until month ago. Leaves started drying (I cut dried leaves off).
After that I stopped watering for a month, now I water it every week. All leaves looks a little yellowish (not dark green as before).  
Pot sizes: diameter - 26cm, height - 20cm  
One of the stems(the tallest) is growing at an angle (not straight).
Generally plant looks miserable. Thank you for any help.

Answer
Hi Maryna,

The Yucca in the photo you posted certainly does not look miserable, so I think you may be over-reacting a bit.

It is normal for a few older, lower leaves to discolor as they age and are replaced by healthy new leaf growth on top. A long as you are not losing substantially more than you are gaining, then there is no problem.

If the brown spots scratch off easily with your fingernail, then they may be scale insects. If so, let me know and I will explain how to treat scale. Otherwise, I don't see enough spotting in the photo to cause concern. Most plants have some leaf blemishes, including spots.

I am concerned somewhat by your replanting because this is rarely down correctly. First, make sure the new planter has a drainage hole for excess water to run out of. Second, remove all soil that you added to the top of the original football. This soil serves no useful purpose, but it does make it difficult to determine when to water your Yucca.

Once you have removed the excess soil, allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry before watering. Water it according to its level of dryness, not by an arbitrary calendar schedule.

Keeping a Yucca in front of a sunny window is a good idea, but the leaves will be a lighter shade of green. This is the plant's way of adapting to its environment and not indicative of a problem. In lower light, the leaves are darker green, thinner and less rigid.

I don't see any significant lean to the canes. However, it is easy enough to push any leaning cane to the vertical and then pack the soil down tight around it to hold it in place. The stems that grow out of the tops of the canes will grow toward the light source. If that is your concern, simply rotate the pot so that the light comes from the back side.

I hope you will look at your Yucca differently now and let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

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].

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

Visit my website at: A link to PlantCareExperts.com