Don’t Make These 13 ZZ Plant Growing Mistakes

January 13, 2025 steven

If you’re just getting into growing houseplants, ZZ plants make a wonderful choice. ZZ is short for Zamioculcas zamiifolia. They’re members of the Araceae family, which includes common houseplants such as philodendrons and peace lilies.

They have almost plastic-like thick green leaves spaced like palm leaves along a long vertical stem. Their waxy epidermis glistens in the light. It’s uncommon for indoor ZZs to flower, but their stunning foliage is more than enough of a reason to grow them.

On top of being beautiful, they’re also easy to grow and maintain. Still, there are a few things that even expert gardeners can get wrong. Below are 13 common ZZ plant growing mistakes to avoid and what to do to correct them.

Too Much Light Exposure

Glossy, dark green, feather-like leaves line upright, thick stems, thriving in bright indoor sunlight. — Keep your plant in bright, indirect light for optimal growth.

ZZ plants thrive in bright, indirect light and may survive low-light conditions, but it is a mistake to put them in areas with harsh sunshine. In their native habitat of East Africa, they grow in shady forests and grasslands with frequent droughts.

Because of the dry and variable climate of its homeland, this species is capable of surviving harsh heat and droughts. Bright, direct sun on the other hand, not so much. Although you can warm them up to direct sunlight, they’ll likely go into shock if you give them too much.

Grow them in bright, indirect light away from strong sun rays. If their leaves curl or wilt, move them to a shadier location.

Not Enough Light

Top view of arching stems displaying smooth, oval-shaped, waxy green leaves in a gray ceramic pot. — Even tough species need proper lighting to flourish.

Just because these tough houseplants can handle a lot doesn’t mean they’re indestructible. A common mistake gardeners make with ZZ plants is leaving them in the dark.

Sure, they can tolerate low-light environments briefly, but that doesn’t mean they’ll thrive in the dark. Move them to an area with bright, indirect light.

Keep in mind that as seasons change and the sun’s position shifts, you’ll need to move them to areas with better lighting. Pay attention throughout the year to make sure your tropical perennials are getting enough light.

Not Rotating Them

A man holds a white pot with vertical stems producing rows of oval, symmetrical, shiny green leaves — Keep them balanced by rotating them every few weeks.

Once you’ve found the right light source, they will want to grow towards it. When they do, they’ll lose their upright shape and lean towards the light.

If you don’t want lopsided growth, rotate them every few weeks. It doesn’t matter how precise or what direction. You simply want to expose every section of the plant to the same amount of light.

By doing this, your ZZs will grow in a more upright position. This same trick works with most houseplants, so try making this a routine for each of them.

Using Poor Draining Soil

A woman adds fresh, loose soil to a larger gray pot containing a plant with thick, sturdy stems and glossy, oval leaves radiating from the base. — Mimic their habitat with a well-draining, sandy soil mix.

ZZ plants are native to the sandy and dry soils of East Africa, from Kenya to Mozambique and South Africa. In these climates, droughts and infrequent rainfall are common.

To adapt, they developed thick, water-saving rhizomes. They look like small potatoes. Even the leaves are adapted to low-water conditions.

Mimic their natural environment by growing them in well-draining soil. Use an organic potting mix and sand or perlite to improve drainage. They’ll also grow in a soil mixture made for succulents.

Watering Too Much

A woman uses a white watering can to water a potted plant featuring a dense cluster of upright stems adorned with waxy, dark green leaves. — Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot and stunted growth.

As mentioned above, your Zamioculcas zamiifolias doesn’t like to grow in moist soil. Its tubers are already full of water, allowing it to survive in parched climates.

It is a big mistake to give a ZZ plant too much water, as this can stunt its growth and, even worse, cause root rot. This dreaded disease occurs when various fungi, bacteria, or water molds attack roots that are suffocated by too much moisture. You’ll likely have to say goodbye to your “unkillable” houseplant.

Soak your ZZs every few weeks after the soil has dried. If you live in a dry space, this may be more often. If you’re not sure, wait a few more days until you’re sure the soil is dry. Underwatering is much better than overwatering.

Not Watering Enough

Smooth, bright green oval leaves, covered with water droplets, grow alternately along thick, upright stems. — Maintain a consistent watering schedule for thriving houseplants.

This mistake is less common and very hard to make with a ZZ plant. When I was a young and irresponsible gardener, I left my two ZZs alone for the dry Californian summer. When I got back, I saw them wilted and sickly but still alive. I’m happy to say I was able to revive them.

As drought-tolerant as they are, they will go into dormancy if you don’t water them. Keep them on a consistent watering schedule, and they’ll flourish in your home.

Using Containers with Few Drainage Holes

A woman wearing denim overalls and black gloves examines the bottom of a white pot with a plant to ensure it has drainage holes. — Always check for drainage holes in containers to prevent rot.

Even if you get their soil and watering schedule right, you can still end up with waterlogged roots if your containers don’t drain properly. Pots without adequate drainage will fill with moisture and lead to waterlogged houseplants.

No matter if you’re using pots or other types of containers, such as self-watering planters, make sure they have plenty of drainage holes. As long as the water drains freely, you can grow your ZZs in just about anything.

Letting Them Get Too Cold

Close-up of a woman's hand holding oval, glossy, dark green leaves with yellow-brown spots, showing damage caused by exposure to cold temperatures. — Сold temperatures cause stress.

These tropical to sub-tropical perennials love high heat. They don’t tolerate freezes or cold temperatures. Once it gets below 60°F (16°C), they may experience stress.

The same ZZ plants I spoke about earlier experienced wilted leaves after a rare winter freeze—my mistake for leaving them alone in the cold. Our old house didn’t have central heating or insulation, so our houseplants felt it.

Even though deep freezes will kill most of their vegetation, healthy plants with a strong root system will likely survive. This is another reason ZZs are the Chuck Norris’ of the houseplant world.

Too Much Heat

Close-up of dry, brown and yellow leaves on a vertical stem in a black pot on a light windowsill. — Provide afternoon shade to keep your plants happy.

Although they’re tropical, no plant likes to suffocate in sweltering conditions. This mistake happens in the peak of summer, and especially in muggy regions like Florida.

ZZ plants are happy in temperatures between 65°F and 75°F (18-24°C). They’ll handle warmer temperatures just fine but once the thermometer approaches 90°F (32°C) or higher, they may start to wilt.

If you live in a hot region, move your plants to an area with a cool breeze or mid-afternoon shade. Keep them away from intense and direct sunlight.

You Feed Them Too Much

Close-up of a woman's hand using a red spatula to add soil mixed with fertilizer to a potted plant. — Feed them lightly for healthy, vibrant growth year-round.

Because of their resilience, these Araceae species are light feeders. They love balanced liquid fertilizers applied every two to three months. With this feeding schedule, they’ll grow big and vibrant foliage.

If you overfeed them, you could end up damaging their roots and stunting their growth. This is especially the case in the winter when their growth slows.

If you notice signs of over-fertilizing, such as discolored leaves and mineral buildup on the topsoil, stop feeding them. Continue watering them on a regular schedule. If they seem healthy and vibrant after a few months, try returning to their preferred feeding schedule.

Dropping Your Guard on Pests and Diseases

Dark green, glossy leaves display clusters of small, oval, brown scale insects attached to their surfaces, causing visible damage. — Treat pests quickly with neem oil or other organic solutions.

Pests and diseases are usually no match for these houseplants. However, it doesn’t mean they’re entirely safe from critters and germs. It is a mistake to completely disregard potential issues.

The most common disease your plants could face is root rot. This happens when small organisms attack the roots of plants in soggy soil. If you notice you overwatered them and they’re showing signs of root rot, such as wilted and discolored foliage, you’ll have to repot them in new soil.

Fortunately, pests are less likely. Like any houseplants, these tropical perennials may become hosts to pests, such as scales, aphids, and mealybugs. Look for signs of infections, such as sticky honeydew and webs, and treat them with a neem oil solution or other organic treatments.

Letting Them Outgrow Their Containers

Lush, glossy green leaves with a polished texture gently cascade from tall stems in a large clay pot near a window. — Only repot when your plant shows clear signs of growth.

ZZ plants are slow-growing, meaning you won’t have to repot them very often. However, if you notice signs they have outgrown their containers, it’s time to carefully move them.

Repot them in spring when their natural cycle of regrowth is starting. Select a larger container than the one they’re growing in. Cut off any damaged roots with clean sheers or pruners. Carefully place them in a new potting medium.

Give them enough water to moisten their soil and check on them frequently. These resilient tropical perennials should show very little signs of stress.

Repotting Them Too Often

Close-up of a man removing a compact plant with polished, deep green leaves and upright stems, forming a dense root ball, from a plastic pot for replanting. — Transplant every two to three years unless plants show stress.

Repotting is necessary only when they’ve completely outgrown their containers. Because they’re so beautiful, it’s easy to want to upgrade their containers to match their stunning foliage as they grow. However, transplanting too much could send even these battle-hardy plants into transplant shock.

You’ll usually have to repot your plants every two or three years. If the containers are big enough, you could wait even longer as long as they’re not showing signs of stress.

If they’re growing well in their containers, leave them be. You can always decorate your containers or cover them for aesthetics.

Key Takeaways

ZZ plants are tough, which makes them suitable for novice gardeners. If you’re just growing your green thumb, you’ll love the seemingly indestructible nature of these tropical perennials.

Even though they’re resilient, you’ll still need to avoid these common growing mistakes if you want them to flourish. Stay on top of their care, and enjoy these unique and lovely houseplants.

Source link