Yucca is an unpretentious exotic houseplant from the Agave family with weakly branching shoots and fluffy caps of long light green leaves. With age or if the rules for caring for a flower are violated, the lower leaves begin to turn yellow, then dry up and fall off. If the cause of this behavior of the plant is not determined and eliminated in time, then it may die. Experienced growers identify several main reasons for the negative change in the appearance of yucca. Newcomers to indoor floriculture will be able to avoid problems with their pets if they take these factors into account when keeping them.
The main reasons why yucca leaves turn yellow and dry
Lack of lighting
This reason is considered the most common, especially in the autumn period, when the length of daylight hours is significantly reduced and natural light for indoor plants is lacking. On the darkest and most cloudy days from September to February, bright diffused lighting can be created using phytolamps or other additional lighting. The length of artificial daylight hours should last at least ten to twelve hours a day. With such daily lighting, the process of yellowing and dying off of the leafy part of the yucca will stop and very quickly stop completely.
Excess lighting
Excess light, or rather direct sunlight, very easily damages yucca leaves, causing heat burns to it. This reason is relevant in the spring and summer months, when the flower is grown on the windowsill on the south side of the house and in the daytime the sun's rays are directly directed to the delicate houseplant. In natural conditions, yucca perfectly tolerates tropical and subtropical climates with maximum sun during the day. But as a houseplant, it is much more vulnerable and therefore direct sunlight leaves its yellow marks on the leaves of the indoor culture. You can protect the flower with a light translucent shading and gradual accustoming to fresh air (on the balcony or open veranda).
Violation of watering rules
The individual characteristics of yucca include adaptability to drought, this must be taken into account when caring for it. The thick trunk of the plant accumulates a lot of moisture (like succulents and cacti), and the dense surface layer of the leaves will prevent them from rapidly losing moisture. But insufficient volume and frequency of watering (especially in summer) will lead to wilting of the leafy part and their gradual withering away. Yucca doesn't like the lack of moisture. The underground part of the flower does not tolerate an excess of moisture in the soil and regular overflow of irrigation water. Yellow, drooping and drying leaves can signal the beginning of rotting of the root of the plant.
It is very important to find a middle ground in this process.The next watering should be carried out only when the potting soil mixture in the flower pot dries about fifty percent or a little more. Water for irrigation should be warm (with a temperature of 22 to 25 degrees Celsius), always purified or settled. When watering with cold tap water, the base of the stem can begin to rot, and then the root part.
A plant that has become diseased from overflow can only be saved by transplanting it into a new substrate. The plant must be carefully removed from the flower pot, the roots must be thoroughly rinsed, and all rotten parts of the leaves and roots must be removed. After trimming the diseased roots, it is recommended to treat the cut sites with activated charcoal or charcoal powder. After that, the houseplant is planted in a new container with fresh soil. If the root part is completely damaged and there is nothing to save, then you can cut off the top of the plant and root it.
Inappropriate humidity level
Dry air for yucca is normal throughout the year, except for the heating season. During this period, the tips of the leaves dry out greatly, the plant requires periodic additional moisture by spraying. The water should be soft and not cold. Favorable time for water procedures is early morning or evening after sunset. Spraying in the daytime in direct sunlight will leave spots on the leaves after droplets of water - burns.
Non-compliance with the temperature regime
If the leaves on a houseplant begin to curl, and the tips of the leaves turn yellow, this indicates an incorrect temperature regime. Yucca prefers a constant moderate temperature of 20 to 25 degrees. Sharp jumps in temperature up or down, as well as cold drafts, negatively affect the appearance of the plant and its further growth and development. At low or high temperatures, the plant may turn yellow and dry out completely.
Failure to comply with the transplant rules
Yucca reacts very painfully to transplants, since its root system is easily damaged and then the whole plant begins to ache. This is manifested in yellowing and drying of the leaf mass. It is recommended to transplant the yucca only with an earthen clod. The handling method reduces the risk of root injury.
Changing the place of growing a plant
When transferring a container with a flower to a new place, to a new room and during long-term transportation, the plant experiences severe stress and adapts to new conditions for a long time. At this time, yellowing, wilting and drying of the leaves are possible. This is explained by a change in the conditions of detention, which include temperature, direction of lighting, moisture level, and sometimes damage to the root system when moving.
The appearance of pests
The main pests of yucca are scale insects, spider mites and aphids. The invasion of these pests can only be stopped with special chemical agents (for example, Fitoverm, Aktara, Aktellik). They are sprayed or sprayed directly onto insect habitats. Unfortunately, yellowed leaves after the destruction of pests will not recover. In the presence of healthy roots, the plant will continue its development, and if they are damaged, it is almost impossible to save the flower.
Natural causes
Each plant ages over time, and the dying off of several of its leaves in the lower part is considered a common natural process that should not worry gardeners. It is quite natural that sometimes one or two of the lower leaves begin to turn yellow and soon dry up. Flower lovers need to help the plant to remove these leaves in time, since the yucca will not be able to get rid of them on its own. It is recommended to take the yellowed leaf by the tip and pull it downward, as if removing the peel.
Knowing the main reasons for the negative changes in the appearance of a houseplant, it will be easier for beginners to care for it and create the necessary conditions for it.
