Yucca Dracaena Marginata Starting Seeds Indoors: Everything You Need to Know for Success Sow Right Seeds Does anyone know why the top of stem is black and there is white stuff on the side of the stem trunk? Is it normal? Otherwise, the pony tail palm seems healthy. The My ponytail palm was struggling. Dry soil, brown tips, and sad leavesclassic signs of underwatering. I gave it a fresh start with a deep pot, a gritty succulent mix from SOL Soils, and a long overdue Prayer plant care: using distilled water instead of tap water