The most common ZZ Plant problems are yellow leaves and root rot caused by overwatering. They are also prone to brown leaves due to excess light, heat, overfertilizing, or low humidity. Bright, indirect light, well-draining soil, and cautious watering will prevent most problems.
If you’re seeing a lot of yellowing, remove your plant from its container and examine the roots to make sure they’re still healthy and white. If you find any brown or mushy roots, prune them back before replanting the ZZ. ZZ Plants are tough. They can survive a range of conditions and require little input from us.
What does an overwatered ZZ plant look like?
Overwatering results in mushy brown stalks and yellowing of the leaves. Dropping leaves can also be an indication of overwatering. Hold off on watering and prune your plant. Once the soil is completely dry all the way through the pot then your plant is ready for a drink.
How do I know if my ZZ plant needs repotting?
The best way to repot your Zz plant
It’s wobbly, pale and has stopped growing.
Roots have started to grow out of the drainage holes in the bottom.
The strong roots has cracked the old pot.
Water runs straight through the pot when watering it – without really making the soil wet.
What does an unhealthy ZZ plant look like? – Related Questions
What should ZZ plant roots look like?
The ZZ plant has a rather unique-looking root system. Beneath the plants that you see above the soil are thick, potato-like roots known as rhizomes. These store water, which is why the plant can often be subject to over-watering, but does well during droughts and places where frequent watering is not always easy.
Do ZZ plants like big pots?
Repotting ZZ plants
However, you should not give the plant too large a pot, otherwise it will put most of its strength into root growth. If your Zamioculcas is a bit older, repotting every two to three years will suffice. Whether the selected pot is bigger in width or depth is not so important.
Do ZZ plants need pots with holes?
ZZ plants need drainage holes in their pots, as they do not want any excess water to build up in the bottom. It is also recommended that ZZ plants are not potted into containers that have openings smaller than the widest part of the pot.
Do ZZ plants like smaller pots?
First, it is important that you don’t choose a pot that is too big or too small. Pots that are too big will cause the soil to dry out more slowly, something your ZZ won’t appreciate. And pots that are too small won’t accommodate your plant to expand underground for the next two years.
What does a healthy ZZ Plant look like?
Leaf burn on any plant can be alarming, especially when that plant is known for its bright-green, waxy foliage, like the ZZ Plant. A healthy ZZ should have near-flawless, uniform leaves, so if you notice some of them look scalded or burned, something is up.
How do ZZ plants like to be potted?
A well-draining potting mix will do for your ZZ – they aren’t super fussy. We like to use a chunky mix of organic potting soil, orchid bark, perlite, and horticultural charcoal as a basic recipe and adjust according to the plant. For a ZZ, less bark and more perlite works for us.
What is the lifespan of a ZZ plant?
ZZ plants seem to live practically forever. Their leaves survive about six months or longer—even if you don’t water your ZZ plant, it can go about four months. With care, though, they can live five to 10 years or longer.
Do you water ZZ plant from top or bottom?
BOTTOM WATERING
Fill the plant tray with water.
Make sure the soil is in contact with the water on the tray.
Wait for about 10 minutes.
Feel the soil to see if it absorbed enough water —> if the soil is moist throughout, remove any excess water from the tray.
If it’s still dry —> add more water to the tray.
Should you mist ZZ plant?
Do ZZ plants like to be misted? ZZ plants do like to be misted, especially in dry environments. They’re native to a tropical region that is naturally humid. They can tolerate average home humidity, but they’ll love the occasional spritz.
Can I water my ZZ Plant with tap water?
How do I make my ZZ Plant flourish?
How to Care for a ZZ Plant
Provide ZZ plants with bright indirect light.
Use a loose potting mix in a container with drainage holes.
Let the soil dry out between waterings.
Use a liquid fertilizer for indoor plants.
Maintain average temperature and humidity levels.
Re-pot ZZ plants every spring.
Does ZZ Plant need direct sunlight?
ZZ plants grow best in lots of indirect light (direct sunlight can cause the leaves to scorch), and thrive under the fluorescent lights of offices and commercial buildings. In zones 10 to 12, ZZ plants can be grown outside in areas with filtered light and well-draining soil.
Can a ZZ plant survive in a dark room?
The ZZ Plant is ideal for darker spots in your home. ZZ Plants will be completely fine in extremely low levels of light. Or even rooms with no light at all as they will accept fluorescent lighting as a substitute for natural daylight.
