Yucca Plant Diseases

The scientific name of yucca plants is yucca elephantipes and they have sharp spear shaped projections which radiates from the central stalk. Yucca plants are highly popular both as indoor and outdoor plants. The leaves are generally 1 to 2 feet in height although some specimens are seen to grow up to 4 feet. Although yucca plants are relatively easy to maintain as all they require is adequate sunlight and low humidity. There are many causes and types of yucca plant diseases. Some common diseases of the yucca plant are yellowing of the leaves, lesions or brown discoloration on the surface of the yucca leaves and rotting of the stem.

Growing a Yucca Plant
The best way of growing a yucca plant is from a cutting of a yucca plant. The yucca plant cuttings should come from a mature growth rather than a new growth as the new growth is more prone to rotting. Using a sharp knife to take a cutting from the plant and remove the top most leaves. Place the cutting in a shady place for 2 to 3 days to allow the cutting to dry out. Now place the cutting in some potting soil and keep it in a place where it can get direct sunlight. It will take about 3 to 4 weeks for the cutting to grow roots. Another way to grow yucca plants is from the seeds which takes anywhere from a month or a year to germinate. Plant the yucca seeds in potting soil after lightly rubbing the seeds with a bit of sandpaper. Regular watering of the soil is very crucial if you want to see the seedlings sprout in about 1 to 2 weeks.

The biggest problem that people face who have a yucca plant indoors is that they grow too tall and they require regular pruning. Yucca plant pruning is done by removing the plant from the pot and determine where the halfway mark is on the plant. With the help of a sharp shears cut the trunk in half. Repot the plant and water it.

Types of Yucca Plant Diseases
There are many various yucca plant diseases and we will list the most important ones.

• Appearance of brown spots on the leaves is among one of the most common disease of the yucca plant. The spots are generally of 2 to 3 centimeters in diameter with a purple border. These spots on the leaf first appears as tiny clear zones in older leaves of the plant. The spots turn yellowish and finally brown as they mature. They are usually oval in shape and are scattered across the entire surface the leaves that are at the bottom of the yucca plant. Yellow leaves are also seen in some cases. This can be best cured by simply removing the infected leaves.
• Gray leaf spotting is also among one of the many yucca plant diseases. These are more common in older leaves and are seen as legions which are gray in color with brown margins. To control this yucca plant disease apply a fungicide and remove the infected leaves.
• One of the most common disease of this plant that most homeowners have to deal with is rotting of the stems. If the decay is not arrested at the beginning, it might lead to destruction of the whole plant. Rotting is caused by bacteria and you will find the stem of the leaves having a soft mushy discharge which gives an unpleasant odor. This can be avoided by using only sterilized pots and proper potting soil when planting the yucca plant cuttings.
• Sometimes you might see a white growth on the plant which has a fan like pattern. This is usually found on the stems of the plant near to the surface of the soil. Yucca plant problems like this are caused by fungal attack and it is called sclerotia. It can be somewhat controlled by use of a proper fungicide.

So, we have seen that there are many yucca plant diseases that are caused both by bacterial as well as fungal attack. Use of fungicides are helpful for preventing such diseases caused by fungi but its use should not be used more than twice a year as it stunts the growth of the plant.