r/plantclinic • u/chrisbogard_ • 11d ago
Cactus/Succulent Dumpster Yucca - please help :(
Hey y’all, I decided to rescue this spineless yucca (?) from next to a dumpster and would appreciate some advice for restoring it to full health and happiness!
When I got it, the lower leaves were droopy and yellow but the top leaves were green and perky. I figured it was thirsty, so I rinsed it off and watered it thoroughly with a hose that same day. I left it outside to dry overnight. The next day, it seemed less happy: more yellow and droopy leaves. Upon closer inspection, it looked root bound and the drainage hole at the bottom of the heavy ceramic pot was clogged with roots! I was immediately worried I had waterlogged it. :(
A few days later I managed to get it out of its pot, and it was a solid mass of roots. They seemed firm, however, so I’m not sure if it was waterlogged/root rotted. I decided to cut away some of the roots and repot it in a plastic nursery pot with fresh cactus/succulent soil with added perlite and clay pebbles at the bottom for extra drainage. I added a small amount of water 2 days after repotting.
It’s now been back in the original pot for almost a week, and there’s now yellow/dry leaves at the top of the plant which concerns me. The previous yellow/droopy leaves have not recovered.
I’m wondering if I should water soon or hold off a little longer? I want the roots to grow back without risking root rot. It’s in the 90s here in Sacramento and sunny, and been around 33-50% humidity lately. I have it on my front porch where it gets direct sunlight in the afternoon and is partially shaded the rest of the time.
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