Saving an Overwatered Yucca: Treat It Like a Cactus

Derek's 3-foot yucca was healthy for three months, then leaves began browning and the plant thinned out. He realized yuccas are desert plants, not palms, and likely overwatered it.

Expert Answer: Dry the plant out quickly: remove the drain tray and let it drain in a sink or tub. Place it in the sunniest indoor spot. In warm climates, move it outdoors to a semi-shaded location, gradually increasing sun exposure over weeks (avoid sunburn). Only keep it outside when nights stay above 50°F. The plant will survive as long as the growing tip remains green. Remove brown leaves by cutting near the trunk; later, pull remnants to reveal the trunk. Treat it like a cactus—infrequent watering, lots of sun. Recovery takes time but yuccas are long-lived. When it gets too tall (in 2–3 years), you can cut it back and propagate new plants.