Yucca Cane Rot: Can a Mushy Stem Be Saved?

Discovering a soft, mushy stem on a newly purchased yucca is alarming. If the green stem (growing from the top of the woody cane) is soft, everything above that point will die. Cut off the affected upper stem immediately. If the thick cane itself is mushy, the entire cane and its stems are doomed—there's no remedy.

What to Do

• New plant? Return it for a refund; it's defective.
• Established plant? Remove the rotted section if it's a side stem; if the main cane is affected, the plant cannot recover.

Yuccas need excellent drainage and infrequent watering. Overwatering or poor drainage causes cane rot. For detailed yucca care, request a free article from the expert.