Yucca root rot

Yellowing and persistent wilt over wet mix, a sour smell, or a soft cane base justify unpotting. Root rot cannot be identified solely from a damp surface.

Remove rotten roots

Cut away collapsed roots with clean tools and discard decomposed mix. If firm roots and a sound cane remain, replant at the previous depth in fresh draining mix. Water dry fresh mix enough to moisten the surviving root zone and drain completely; if the mix is already moist, wait. Thereafter let it dry well into the pot. The root rot guide covers cleanup and pot sizing.

If rot reaches the cane, preserve only sound sections beyond it. Follow the soft-cane guide for propagation; keeping a freshly cut cane completely dry indefinitely will not establish roots.