Spring black stem and leaf spot is caused by the fungus Phoma medicaginis var.medicaginis. This fungus survives the winter as pycnidia or dormant mycelium in overwintered stem lesions or fallen leaves. Symptoms occur primarily on stems and leaves but seedpods, crowns, and upper taproots also may become infected.
The most common sign of root rot in ZZ Plants is discoloration. ZZs that have damaged roots lose their deep green color and instead start to fade from pale green to yellow before the leaves fall off and die.
What does an unhealthy ZZ plant look like?
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.
What is growing out of my ZZ plant?
ZZ plant leaves grow from the rhizome at soil line, so each “stem” lined with waxy green leaflets comprises a single leaf. New growth is lighter and brighter than existing leaves, creating a two-toned effect. As ZZ plants grow in popularity, so do available options.
Why does my plant have black spots on the stem? – Related Questions
What is the lifespan of a ZZ plant?
It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 30 years. This houseplant performs well in both bright or indirect sunlight and strong artificial light, and can therefore be situated in almost any well-lit room or location.
Do ZZ plants have babies?
There are a few methods you can use to propagate ZZ plants. Whether you have individual leaves, stem cuttings, or a mature plant ready for division, each can produce new babies for you to enjoy.
What are the bulbs on my ZZ plant?
Although “bulbs” is a common word many plant hobbyists use to refer to any underground storage structure on a plant, the ZZ plant does not have a true bulb, nor does it have a true tuber. It actually propagates using rhizomes, which are fleshy plant structures made up of modified, swollen stems beneath the soil.
Does a ZZ plant have rhizomes?
ZZ plants have thick roots.These are rhizomes, a type of stem that stays underground. Its rhizomes are very thick, almost like a potato, and help to store water for dry periods. Waxy coatings on its leaves also help it avoid water loss, and the shine from those coatings adds to its appeal.
What do the roots of a ZZ plant 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.
How do you propagate a stem from a ZZ plant?
Here’s how to propagate a ZZ Plant cutting:
Cut off a stalk at the base of your plant, making a straight cut with a sanitized knife.
Place the cut stem in water, and change out the water every 3-4 weeks.
Keep the cutting near a window where it can receive bright, indirect light.
What to do with the old stems of ZZ plant?
Prune out dead and dying stems. Cut them off at the soil level because they cannot be restored by the time they wrinkle and all the leaves turn yellow. Because a ZZ plant rarely suffers from pests and diseases, dead and dying stems probably result from improper watering.
Is it better to propagate ZZ plant in water or soil?
Like most stem cuttings, you can either root your ZZ Plant in water or soil. Water allows you to keep an eye on rhizome and root growth, but soil produces stronger roots more resistant to transplant shock. To root in water, grab a glass tall enough to keep the cuttings upright.
How often do ZZ plants grow new stems?
Most ZZ plants produce 1-3 new stems every few months during the growing season. New stems grow 6-12 inches per month and can reach 3 to 5 feet tall within one growing season.
How do I know if my ZZ plant is happy?
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 I know when to repot my ZZ?
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.
How do you encourage new ZZ growth?
ZZ plants can thrive without fertilizer, but they’re slow growers, so using fertilizer will accelerate growth. Use a diluted liquid houseplant fertilizer once a month after watering, but only during the growing season (typically April through August). Maintain average temperature and humidity levels.
Is coffee good for ZZ plant?
Do ZZ Plants like coffee grounds? Although there are certain instances where coffee grounds can be used beneficially to feed your ZZ Plant, adding grounds directly to the top of the soil is not one. This will end up increasing water retention and potentially cause root and rhizome rot.
