---
title: "I just got this guy and I’m not sure what this white stick like thing…"
description: "I just got this guy and I’m not sure what this white stick like thing is. It’s super hard"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/vOLjreBcQ-OpqrHIhVSc4w/QP1JsLomSgq6WWTlGjGsLA"
community: "The Cactus & Succulent Circle"
author: "Jess"
published: "2024-08-05T16:37:25.58176Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/0HISxZ6CmkLPybBiQmP4Nh_vt6FKB5fqajyOyoj38Yw/bU0DVKtQQYGJI4oMlReFzw.webp?size=large"
---

[Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [The Cactus \& Succulent Circle](https://getplanta.com/community/vOLjreBcQ-OpqrHIhVSc4w.md)

# I just got this guy and I’m not sure what this white stick like thing…

_Posted by Jess on 2024-08-05_

I just got this guy and I’m not sure what this white stick like thing is. It’s super hard

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/0HISxZ6CmkLPybBiQmP4Nh_vt6FKB5fqajyOyoj38Yw/bU0DVKtQQYGJI4oMlReFzw.webp?size=large)

## 9 comments

### send\_nodes commented on 2024-08-05

It’s an aerial root! Succulents make them to help with stability

#### Jess replied on 2024-08-05

So cool! So I should just leave it alone?

#### Jess replied on 2024-08-05

Or should I chop the plant?

#### send\_nodes replied on 2024-08-05

I would just leave it. Aerial roots can absorb moisture from the air :) it might eventually grow long enough to reach the soil.

### Plant Lives Matter commented on 2024-08-05

Actually, I don’t think this is a root. It looks like the remnants of the plant flowering formerly and someone cutting off the flower stalk when the flowers have been spent. I have many of the same from over the years on my lace aloe. You don’t need to do anything with it. Eventually the plant should grow enough that you can detach it when you repot or something, but it’s basically inert.

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/eRXDNyysoCGOHIR4UR1gSkrgtqr4K35vAUgov3y-9Ow/M-l5g5CpS3GsA5H5dqWh7Q.webp?size=large)

#### Jess replied on 2024-08-05

What do I do with it?

#### Plant Lives Matter replied on 2024-08-05

You can try to cut it off if you want to, but it won’t hurt anything being there. By attempting to dig it out, you might damage the plant. I just leave mine. Battle scars!

### Mason commented on 2024-08-05

I would just leave it

### S.R commented on 2024-08-05

Looks like a spent flower spike. Trim it back and leave it. Like someone above mentioned - battle scars!

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