---
title: "Can't figure out what's causing the yellowing, wrinkles and stalled…"
description: "Can't figure out what's causing the yellowing, wrinkles and stalled growth for my fishbone cactus. Is it lighting issue or watering? I don't think I'm…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/wuS1kp6lbEVpRpUrWJ98I5"
community: "Pests, diseases and problems"
author: "Ntm"
published: "2026-06-10T22:46:18.925695Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/MC0By7UZxWB8geUTEHXaVm5EHiet0ZxtWLar-IEP5r8/tqKH86wAQKS-zPOjzKqDRw.webp?size=large"
---

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# Can't figure out what's causing the yellowing, wrinkles and stalled…

_Posted by Ntm on 2026-06-10_

Can't figure out what's causing the yellowing, wrinkles and stalled growth for my fishbone cactus. Is it lighting issue or watering? I don't think I'm overwatering but I could be wrong

![Attachment 1 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/MC0By7UZxWB8geUTEHXaVm5EHiet0ZxtWLar-IEP5r8/tqKH86wAQKS-zPOjzKqDRw.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/MC0By7UZxWB8geUTEHXaVm5EHiet0ZxtWLar-IEP5r8/yrHSHwDjQ5ehRIDspDFf7A.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 3 of 3](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/MC0By7UZxWB8geUTEHXaVm5EHiet0ZxtWLar-IEP5r8/kKl-9i2wRKO1UQf9lIOMCA.webp?size=large)

## 4 comments

### CoyoteLuxe commented on 2026-06-11

My first thought is that this definitely needs a pruning and maybe a new pot (if it has been a while). The long thin stems make me think there is too little light in general or parts of the plant are competing with each other. You can make a ton of new plants as you prune!  
My fishbone cactus seems to be more tolerant of drought than overwatering — it doesn’t want to stay bone dry like an aloe, but it definitely needs to dry out completely for at least a day or two before I water it again.  
I would prune and repot, and while it is between pots check out your roots closely for signs of rot or, the opposite, signs of dehydration.

### Ntm commented on 2026-06-11

Thanks! Just trimmed a bunch off. I will try putting it more in the sun and see how it reacts. It could be too crowded in the pot too as you said

### Katomarose commented on 2026-07-28

Just gifted mine to someone else via cuttings for constantly doing the same thing to me. When mine was doing good, more sun seemed to be the answer.

### Johanna commented on 2026-09-29

Mine does this every fall, even as it blooms and creates new leaves. I just prune off the scraggly looking fronds and it bounces back.

![Attachment 1 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/EU0RDQRif59xlPbIgPRUuxELDMx3aVlEjV9LSo5D2rk/BNX_diqTTveGv1UnNA1Fkg.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 2](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/EU0RDQRif59xlPbIgPRUuxELDMx3aVlEjV9LSo5D2rk/adw5dS_uSfCCWLVjiF5Arg.webp?size=large)

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