ZZ Plants, in general, tend to fill out their pots on their own without a lot of help from us. If you have a ZZ, you may have noticed that the plant’s usual shape is primarily determined by the number of stems protruding from the rhizome and the number of leaves on each stem. The plant’s stems curve beautifully under their own weight, giving it a full bouquet appearance.
Start with plant care to give your ZZ Plant a fuller appearance. Obviously, you’ll want to make sure the plant is healthy and that it’s getting enough water and nutrients to thrive. The most important factor, however, is light exposure.
ZZs, like other plants, can become lanky and sparse if they aren’t given enough light. They can thrive in low-light environments, but if you want your ZZ to have that full, tightly-compacted leaf structure, make sure it has plenty of indirect, bright light.
Alternatively, one or two stems may have grown above and beyond the rest of the plant, giving it a stretched, asymmetrical appearance. If this is the case, prune those stems back to match the rest of the plant. Yes, it’s a trick of the eye, but your ZZ will appear fuller than before.
How do I make my ZZ plant thicker?
The easiest technique to make a ZZ plant bushy is to give it plenty of light and take care of it properly. By producing a large number of new stems, your ZZ plant will become bushy, and if the conditions are right, the number and size of these stems will be maximized.
Another reason why appropriate care is crucial if you want to produce a full and robust ZZ plant is that a stressed or unhappy ZZ plant might drop leaves, making it appear less bushy.
Why is my ZZ plant so leggy?
Zamiifolia zamioculcas, sometimes known as ZZ, has a reputation for being nearly tough to kill. True, the ZZ plant can survive in a variety of harsh environments, but does it mean it will thrive? What should you do, for example, if yours appears to be weak or spindly? I’ve dealt with these problems before, and I’m eager to share what I’ve discovered.
What is the cause of my ZZ plant’s lethargy and sagging? If ZZ plants are exposed to low light for an extended period of time, they will stretch towards the light and become lanky and skinny. Additionally, excessive overgrowth, as well as overwatering, underwatering, stress, and/or inappropriate fertilizer application, can lead the plant to lean.
Yes, there appears to be a laundry list of things that could be wrong with your ZZ plant right now, but don’t worry. In this article, I’ll show you how to figure out what’s causing your ZZ plant to grow lanky and skinny. I’ll also give you some pointers on how to save your plant, which is entirely achievable.
Why is my ZZ plant not growing?
Another simple reason your ZZ Plant isn’t growing is because it isn’t getting enough nutrition. ZZs, like most plants, can only use the nutrients found in the soil around them. Plants won’t be able to force new growth successfully if the soil is old or depleted.
Because the ZZ Plant is a slow grower, a few feedings of a good liquid fertilizer every now and then is all that is required to keep the soil nutrient-rich for the plant to utilise.
To ensure that your ZZ has plenty of nutrients to work with, fertilize it two or three times during the growing season with a diluted liquid fertilizer. Your ZZ will continue to grow on its own timetable. Still, the important thing is that you’re removing nutrient insufficiency as a growth constraint.
How do you prune a leggy ZZ plant?
How to Take Care of a ZZ Plant
- Remove yellowing leaves as they appear on the ZZ plant throughout the year. Pick up a fading leaf and take it from the tree.
- If you think the stems of the ZZ plant are too long, cut them back using clean, sharp scissors.
How do I make my plants Fuller?
To encourage shorter, fuller plants, cut back fast-growing plants to the second or third bud from the tip of each stem. When the new growth is 6 inches long, but before the plant becomes lanky or scraggly, make the cuts. Continue to trim it back whenever it becomes more than 6 inches in length.
How do you keep a ZZ plant upright?
If you want your stalks to grow upright, set them in an area that gets plenty of light from above. Your plants’ stems may become droopy if they are in a location with low illumination. You might try placing your ZZ plant closer to a window or using a fluorescent or LED grow light to augment the light source.
Do ZZ plants like small pots?
You won’t have to worry about growing this plant from seed because you’ll probably get it from a nursery or garden center. However, cuttings or leaves may be used to propagate the plant. If that’s the case, keep scrolling down to the propagation section!
If you choose, you can keep using the same size container that you bought your zz plant in indefinitely. In a little pot, they do quite nicely. If you do need to repot your zz plant, simply place it in a larger pot and cut the roots to prevent them from becoming root-bound.
ZZ plants grow slowly in general. They can grow to be 3 feet tall inside, which is significantly more than they are in their natural habitat.
When should I repot my ZZ plant?
It’s difficult to tell when it’s time to repot your favorite houseplant, especially when some require more space than others. You might be wondering what ZZ Plants (Zamiifolia Zamioculcas) are “Do ZZs enjoy being tethered to their roots?” in addition “When is the best moment to transplant them?” says the narrator.
ZZ Plants despise being confined to their roots. Large underground rhizomes take up a lot of room inside a container. Root rot and fungus are more likely when too many rhizomes are forced to reside in a tiny pot. Every two years, ZZs should be replanted into a pot that is one size larger than the one in which they previously resided.
While pruning up roots may help for other houseplants, ZZs have rhizomes beneath the surface that resemble bulbs or tubers. That indicates your ZZ needs place to extend in order to expand. Repotting your plant every two years into a container one size larger than its former home is a decent rule of thumb, but there are a few other factors to keep in mind. Continue reading!
Why is my ZZ plant growing slowly?
If you truly want to kill your ZZ plant, you’ll have to give it your all! To put it another way, it’s extremely long-lasting. Even though a ZZ plant can withstand a lot of neglect, if you want it to thrive, it’s best to give it regular care. Continue reading to learn how.
Light: Although ZZ plants like bright, indirect light, they may thrive in low-light environments. Even bright, fluorescent light can help these plants thrive. One of the main reasons they are a popular choice for indoor rooms with no windows is because of this. One thing to keep in mind is that ZZ plants dislike being in direct sunlight. Sunburned or dried-out leaves can result from too much direct sunlight. If this happens, you should move your plant to a shadier spot until the leaves return to their original green color.
Allow the soil to dry out in between waterings. Allowing your plant to sit in water can quickly lead to stem and rhizome rot. Your plant may go months without water, but it will grow more quickly if you water it more frequently. Because root rot is more likely to kill your ZZ plant than water deprivation, it’s always better to underwater rather than overwater.
Temperatures: The ZZ plant loves temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It prefers humid settings, but can survive in less humid environments unless the air is too dry. You can sprinkle its leaves with water to battle the dry air in that situation. If your plant is near an air conditioning vent and/or the temperature goes below 45°F, it may experience stunted development.
Toxicity: Because this plant includes calcium oxalate crystals, it should be handled with caution. This can cause irritation to the skin as well as more significant problems such as stomach ache. Because of the oxalate crystals, the plant is highly dangerous to cats and dogs, so keep it out of their reach. If you keep Zamioculcas zamiifolia out of reach of curious pets and youngsters, they are still safe to have in your house. To avoid contact with the plant, you should wash your hands promptly after tending to it or wear gloves. More information on poisonous plants can be found in our poisonous plant guide.
Aphids, such as the “sap” from ZZ plants, are pests. If you detect strange yellow stains or patches on your plant, you may have an aphid infestation. Aphids can readily blend in with leaves, so you’ll have to examine closely (especially since they like to hide under leaves). Most bugs can be removed off leaves by wiping them with a moderate soap and hot water solution.
Overwatering is the most prevalent cause of mortality for ZZ plants, as previously stated. Before watering it, make sure the first three inches of soil are completely dry. If the plant’s leaves begin to drop, you know it’s seriously underwatered. If your ZZ plant’s leaves are turning yellow and dropping off, you may be overwatering it.
This plant takes a long time to mature. It could take several years for your plant to reach a height of a few feet. Giving your ZZ plant adequate light, water, and temperature conditions is the best method to aid its growth. If you’re not sure how to aid your ZZ plant while it’s struggling, check out our guide to reviving a plant.
Now that you’ve learned how to care for a ZZ plant, make sure you know what to do when it begins to thrive!
Fertilizing: Use a diluted liquid fertilizer like 20-20-20 to fertilize your plant once or twice in the spring and summer months.
Pruning: ZZ plants do not need to be pruned heavily. Throughout the year, remove yellow leaves and trim back any excessive stems. Remember to put on your gloves!
Repotting: Unless your plant has outgrown its existing home, you don’t need to repot it. The optimum time to repotte ZZ plants is in the spring. Select a pot that is one size larger and has adequate drainage. Take the ZZ plant out of its original pot. As needed, clean up and trim the roots. Replant in a new pot using potting soil that drains nicely. Continually add water until the bottom drains.
Sticking a mature stem in water and waiting for roots to sprout is one way to propagate the ZZ plant. The second procedure involves splitting the plant into two or three smaller plants. However, because ZZ plant rhizomes are known to grow slowly, this should not be done too frequently.
The ZZ plant is a virtually indestructible plant that may be used in any space of your house or workplace. It’s simple to care for Zamioculcas zamiifolia as long as you remember to keep it out of direct sunlight and to let the soil dry between waterings. If you have children or dogs, place it on a high shelf and out of reach to guarantee everyone’s safety.
Should I mist my ZZ plant?
On a ZZ Plant leaf, there is a sunburn. I put mine out in the rain one afternoon and kept it out until 11 a.m. the next morning. This one leaf was the only one that caught fire. It was also the end of October, and they burn quickly!
Humidity
Tropical climates are home to ZZ Plants. Despite this, they are adaptive and do well in our homes, which have dry air. Mine barely has a few microscopic, tiny brown tips here in hot, dusty Tucson.
Fill the saucer with stones and water if you think yours are stressed owing to a lack of humidity. Place the plant on the pebbles, but make sure the drain holes and/or the bottom of the pot aren’t flooded. Misting a couple of times a week should also assist.
Fertilizing
When it comes to fertilizing, ZZ Plants aren’t picky. I use worm compost and compost to feed my. I’ve been doing it once a year, but starting next year, I’ll start applying in late February/early March (here in Tucson, where the weather warms up quickly) and then again in July. Here’s where you can learn more about my worm compost/compost feeding.
If you have it, liquid kelp or fish emulsion would be good, as would a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer (5-5-5 or lower). In the spring, dilute any of these to half strength and apply. If you believe your ZZ requires another application, repeat the process in the summer.
You shouldn’t fertilize houseplants in the late fall or winter because that’s when they’re supposed to be resting. Salts might build up and damage the roots of your ZZ Plant if you fertilize it too much. If your houseplant is strained, such as bone dry or dripping wet, don’t fertilize it.
Soil
My favorite combination is 3 parts potting soil, 1 part succulent and cactus mix, and 1 part coco coir. I always add a few handfuls of compost (how many depends on the size of the pot) and a 1/4-1/2 layer of worm compost on top.
I get my compost, succulents and cactus, and coco coir from a local supplier. I use this potting soil and worm compost. More online options for compost, succulent and cactus mix, and coco coir can be found here. Here’s where you can learn more about my worm compost/compost feeding.
Repotting/Transplanting
If you live in a warm environment, you can do this in the spring or summer; if you live in a cold climate, you can do it in the early fall. Your plant will need to be repotted sooner if it grows too quickly.
Both of mine are in plastic pots, but terra cotta or ceramic would work just as well. To allow them more room to expand, I potted them up a couple sizes.