Reasons for Yucca Plant Leaning
The three main causes of a yucca leaning over are root rot, drought, and shock. Root Rot – The number one cause of problems with all houseplants is overwatering, and yuccas grown indoors are no exception. Overwatering leads to root rot, which prevents the plant from taking up enough water. Drought – It is ironic that the symptoms of too much water and not enough water are the same: drooping stems, wilting leaves, and yellowing. Drought is more common than root rot when plants are grown outdoors. Although a yucca can tolerate drought, it needs water during prolonged dry spells, especially in hot weather. Look at the growing conditions to differentiate between drought and overwatering. Shock – Shock occurs when the plant sustains physical damage, or there is a sudden change in growing conditions. Yuccas sometimes experience shock when they are repotted or transplanted.
What to Do When a Yucca is Falling Over
Whether a yucca is bending over because of drought, overwatering, or shock, the result is that the roots aren’t able to take up enough water to support the plant. Rotting roots and roots that die from shock will not recover, and the entire plant will die. You may be able to save a plant that is suffering from drought, but bent stems between the trunk and the leaves will not straighten out. You’ll get better results from rooting the top of a yucca plant that is bending over than from trying to save the old plant. It takes some time to grow a new plant, but you’ll have the satisfaction that comes with propagating a yucca plant and watching it grow.
Yucca Plant Leaning: Taking Cuttings
Cut off each stem about 2 inches (5 cm.) below the lowest leaves. Remove discolored and shriveled leaves. Prepare a 6 or 8 inch (15-20 cm.) pot by filling it with potting soil that drains freely. A mixture of peat moss and sand, or a commercial cactus mix makes a good rooting medium for yucca. Stick the cut ends of the stems into the medium. Insert all of the stems in one pot, and pack the soil around them so that they stand up straight. Water lightly and keep the medium lightly moist. Roots appear in four to eight weeks. Move the pot to a sunny windowsill and keep the cuttings together in the original pot for six months to a year after they root.
How to Prevent a Leaning Yucca Plant
There are four things you should consider in preventing a yucca plant from leaning:
Transplant potted yuccas in the spring using cactus potting soil. Choose a pot that allows about an inch (2.5 cm.) of space between the roots and the sides of the pot. Allow the top few inches (8 cm.) of the potting soil to dry before watering the plant. Don’t try to transplant large, established plants that are growing outdoors in the soil. Water outdoor yuccas during prolonged drought.
