How to care for a ZZ plant: Everything to know (2024)

FAQs

How to care for a ZZ plant: Everything to know? ›

Water your ZZ Plant every 2-3 weeks, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Expect to water more often in brighter light and less often in lower light. Signs that it is thirsty include wilting, wrinkled leaves, and dry potting mix, while wet mix or yellowing and mushy leaves signal overwatering and root rot.

It does well in low-light areas, isn't bothered by low humidity and can survive a forgetful owner's sporadic watering habits. Though ZZ plant is a survivor, proper ZZ plant care includes watering it when the top few inches of soil dries out and feeding it with regular houseplant fertilizer a few times per year.

Water: Water thoroughly and allow the top 5 cm of soil to dry out between waterings. Soggy soil will cause the rhizomes to rot. Despite being drought-tolerant, your ZZ will be healthiest with regular watering. Humidity: Average indoor humidity, no adjustments required.

Both in homes, business and plant stores, the common ZZ ranges from bright lime in their youth to an emerald green in their maturity. They can get quite tall, 2'-3' and their oval shaped leaves range in size from 1”-3”. Raven ZZ Plant - If you were to know any variety, it would probably be this one.

Place a ZZ plant in bright, indirect light. If your windows face south, east, or west, avoid placing the plant in direct sun because the leaves can easily burn or scorch. In north-facing homes, you can put it almost anywhere.

ZZ Plants need bright, indirect sunlight to maintain their perky posture. Consider a spot with filtered light to encourage robust stems.

A balanced NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) fertilizer is the best option for your ZZ plant. You can use granular, liquid, or slow-release fertilizers. Always dilute the fertilizer to prevent it from harming your plant's roots.

Feed them with a balanced, water-soluble houseplant fertilizer diluted to half-strength during the growing season (spring and summer). Avoid fertilizing during the dormant winter months. Repotting: ZZ plants are slow-growing and can thrive in slightly crowded conditions.

Propagating – As with peace lilies, division is the simplest way to propagate ZZ plants. Remove the plant from its pot and gently pull the rhizomes apart — they'll separate easily. Then repot the rhizomes, with "stems" and leaflets attached, at the same depth they were growing at before.

Do ZZ plants need big pots? ›

About 1”-2” larger is a good rule of thumb. If you pick a pot that's too large, there's a risk that the new soil won't be able to dry up quickly enough between waterings, which might cause your plant to suffocate in the wet soil. Clean the pot Make sure the new pot is clean from old soil.

All parts of the plant are poisonous. If chewed or swallowed symptoms can cause immediate pain or a burning sensation and swelling of the lips, mouth, tongue and throat. Contact dermatitis may also occur in sensitive individuals.

Fun Fact: ZZ plant is called a “Fat Boy Plant” because of its thick fat tuber rhizome. Surprising Fact: ZZ plant is called Eternity plant because it's believed that it can live forever. The ZZ plant's scientific name is based on its resemblance to certain kinds of cycads, ancient plants that predate dinosaurs.

Water your ZZ Plant every 2-3 weeks, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Expect to water more often in brighter light and less often in lower light. Signs that it is thirsty include wilting, wrinkled leaves, and dry potting mix, while wet mix or yellowing and mushy leaves signal overwatering and root rot.

Place your ZZ plant's pot in a saucer or tray large enough to accommodate water without overflowing. Fill the plant tray/saucer with water, allowing the plant to absorb moisture from the bottom up. Monitor absorption for around 10 minutes, ensuring the plant's roots absorb water without sitting in excess.

ZZ Plant is very tolerant and hard to kill, making it an easy-care plant that will quickly bounce back from any mishap. To help it grow optimally and evenly, occasionally dust the leaves and rotate the pot by a ¼ turn once a month.

Water your ZZ Plant every 2-3 weeks, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Expect to water more often in brighter light and less often in lower light. Signs that it is thirsty include wilting, wrinkled leaves, and dry potting mix, while wet mix or yellowing and mushy leaves signal overwatering and root rot.

Generally speaking, thinner leaves are an indication a plant will need extra humidity. But be careful not to mist succulents or Zamioculcas zamiifolia, affectionately known as the ZZ plant, as they are quick to rot from excess moisture.

Some houseplants do enjoy being root or pot bound, but the ZZ plant isn't one of them. Their large underground rhizomes take up a lot of space in a planter. If your ZZ plant is root bound it is time to repot it.