ZZ planes are tough and easy to look after. They’ve become favorites because they can survive without much light and don’t need constant care.
But what is happening when a tough plant like this stops growing? If you’re struggling to figure out what’s gone wrong then don’t worry.
Below I’ll go through the most common reasons your ZZ plant isn’t growing and show you what you need to do to get it back on track.
Quick Answer
- Low Light (Most Common): ZZ plants can survive in low light but grow very slowly there. Move the plant to bright, indirect light to get it growing again.
- Overwatering: Too much moisture will cause weak roots and growing to stop. Let the soil dry out almost fully before watering again.
- Old Soil or No Feeding: Nutrients run out over time. Refresh the potting mix or feed the plant lightly every 6 to 8 weeks in the spring and summer.
For more help see tips to get your ZZ plant growing faster and healthier.
1. Insufficient Light
ZZ plants are often noted for being able to do well in low light but that doesn’t mean they can survive with no light at all. Their growth will slow down or stop entirely if they aren’t getting enough light to photosynthesize.
- How to Spot It: Your ZZ plant may look pale or have smaller than usual new leaves. They will be growing very little and the leaves could be drooping.
- Solution: Move your ZZ plant somewhere that gets bright, indirect sunlight. East or north facing windows are usually a good choice. If natural light isn’t an option then you can use a grow light. A basic LED grow light is the perfect solution for indoor plants that can’t get enough natural light.
Extra Tip: Rotate your plant every few weeks to make sure all of it gets enough light. You might find your ZZ plant is leaning towards its source of light so rotating it on a regular basis will keep the whole plant growing evenly.
2. Overwatering
ZZ plants originally come from very dry parts of Africa. So they’re used to droughts.
Which is why overwatering is one of the most common reasons for growth problems as it can result in the roots rotting.
- Signs of Trouble: If the leaves are turning yellow or the soil starts to smell unpleasant that’s a good sign you’ve overwatered.
- Solution: Let the soil dry out completely before you water again. Always use a pot that has drainage holes and it can help to use a potting mix that drains well (like cactus soil). If root rot had happened then you will probably need to trim the damaged roots and repot the plant.
Did You Know? ZZ plants store water in their rhizomes, and it’s this that makes them able to go with water for long periods. When you overwater then it can drown them and cuts off oxygen and nutrients.
3. Underwatering
If you neglect watering your ZZ plant for long it can also slow the growth. They may be able to withstand a lack of water for a while they do still need some hydration to survive.
- What to Watch For: Wrinkled or shriveled stems and leaves that feel crispy are signs of dehydration.
- Solution: Get used to watering regularly and in to a routine. Water thoroughly and let the excess water drain all the way through. A good idea is to only water when the top inch or so of the soil feels dry.
Pro Tip: If your ZZ plant has been severely underwatered – rehydrate it gradually. If you overwater a dry plant is can actually cause more damage as it’s such a shock to the roots.
For more help see our ZZ plant watering guide.
4. Poor Soil Quality
The soil is where your ZZ plant gets it oxygen and nutrients. So if the quality of it is poor your plant will suffer. They need loose and will draining soil to grow well.
- Symptoms: If the water stays on the surface of the soil or you notice the soil is staying wet for much too long is a sign that it isn’t draining properly.
- Solution: The soil needs to drain well and have good air flow. So use a potting soil and mix in some perlite or sand. Don’t use garden soil though as it’s far too dense for indoor plants.
Quick Tip: Repot your ZZ plant every two to three years. When you do you’ll be refreshing the soil and this will stop the nutrients in it from getting used up.
5. Lack of Nutrients
ZZ plants don’t grow all that quickly but that doesn’t mean they don’t need food. If they don’t get the nutrients they need like potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus it can slow their growth noticeably.
- How to Recognize It: Leaves will be smaller and weaker or you’ll see the older leaves turning yellow around the edges.
- Fix It: Feed your ZZ plant with a balanced fertilizer diluted to half strength. Give it to your plant every 2-3 months during the growing season (spring and summer). Don’t bother fertilizing during the winter.
Warning: Overfertilizing can burn the roots. So always stick to the recommended dosage on the fertilizer label.
6. Temperature Stress
ZZ plants do best in temperatures between 65 to 85°F (18 to 29°C). Anything outside of this range can stress them out.
- Signs to Look For: Curling leaves or stems that droop can be a sign that your plant is too cold or the temperature has changed too quickly.
- Solution: Don’t put your ZZ plant near windows with drafts, air conditioning vents or heaters. If you live somewhere that is cooler then you may have to move the plant to a warmer room in the winter.
Pro Tip: ZZ plants are sensitive to frost and won’t survive if they’re subjected to temperatures below 50°F (10°C).
7. Low Humidity
Although ZZ plants can tolerate dry air they don’t like it when the humidity it too low. It will affect their growth.
- What You’ll Notice: The tips of the leaves will turn brown or the edges turning crispy are both common signs of low humidity.
- How to Fix It: If you have more than one plant then try grouping your plants together. They can increase the humidity amongst each other. Alternatively putting a tray of water and pebbles under the plant can increase the humidity too. If need be then a humidifier can also help during the dry winter months.
Did You Know? While ZZ plants don’t need conditions to be tropical you’ll get better growth if you get close to that because it’s what their natural habitat would have been.
8. Pests and Diseases
It’s not very common to get pests on ZZ plants but the likes of spider mites and mealybugs can still affect them. They can suck out nutrients and weaken the plant if not dealt with quickly.
- Symptoms: Keep an eye out for a sticky substance, odd colored spots or webbing on the leaves.
- Solution: Wipe the leaves with a cloth or use something like an insecticidal soap to treat any infestations you find. If you’ve got root rot then trim the affect les roots and repot in fresh soil.
Pro Tip: Dusting the leaves on a regular basis will help to keep the pests at bay and your plant to be able to photosynthesize properly.
9. Being Root Bound
If your ZZ plant has got too big for it’s pot then the roots are probably overcrowded and can’t take up water and nutrients fully.
- What to Watch For: Roots that are coming out of the drainage holes. Or if your plant that dries out too fast after you’ve watered it.
- Solution: Repot it into a pot that’s 1 to 2 inches bigger in diameter. Don’t go too big though as an oversized pot will make the water sit and can lead to root rot.
10. Dormancy
ZZ plans slow down how much they grow naturally in the fall and winter. So if you’ve found your plant isn’t growing in the winter then it could be as simple as it’s resting.
- How to Tell: If it’s not growing but otherwise looks healthy.
- Solution: Don’t water or fertilize until the spring. Then when the warmer weather comes back you should see new shoots emerging.
Reminder: Dormancy is completely normal. So don’t overreact by making any major changes to how you’re caring for your plant whilst it’s going through this period.
Final Thoughts
ZZ plants are forgiving, which is good! But if you’re not giving them what they need they will have issues.
You can solve any of those issue by fixing any of the problems you’ve found here. But remember – ZZ plants are slow growers, so don’t expect miracles overnight. Instead, focus on consistent care and your plant will reward you in its own time.
For more help try our care guide for ZZ plants to make sure you’re doing everything right. Or take a look at these 15 tips to get a healthier and faster growing ZZ plant.
And if you’re worried it’s on its last legs you can diagnose if it’s dying with this guide.
