The ZZ plant is known for being one of the easiest houseplants to care for. But it can still have issues if you don’t give it the conditions it likes and needs.
So if your ZZ plant has started to struggle or looks like it might be on its last legs you’ll want to try and save it. Thankfully there are a few things you can do to bring it back from the brink of death.
It could be yellow leaves, root rot or drooping stems, but whatever the problem is you shouldn’t worry that your plant is a goner. With a little effort there’s nothing to say you can’t revive it.
So this guide and tips will help to bring your ZZ plant back to life.
1. Diagnose the Problem
The first thing you should do is figure out what the cause of your struggling ZZ plant is. The main problems you should be looking out for are:
- Yellow leaves: could mean you’ve either given it too much or not enough water. Poor lighting could also be to blame.
- Brown tips: usually shows that the air is too dry or you’ve given it too much fertilizer.
- Drooping stems: could be either not enough water or that the roots have a problem.
- Soft, mushy stems: A big sign of root rot.
Take some photos or write down what you see over a few days. Noticing any patterns in how your ZZ plant looks can help to get to the bottom of what’s going on.
2. Water The Right Way
ZZ plants don’t need much water but you’ve got to give them the right amount. Too much or too little can leave them struggling.
Avoid Overwatering
ZZ plants store water in their rhizome, which is hidden under the soil and looks a bit like a potato. This is useful for droughts but it does make the roots more likely to rot if the soil gets too wet.
If your ZZ plants stems are mushy or have a nasty smell then this is what you should do:
Fix Overwatering:
- Check how moist the soil is. If it’s soggy the stop watering straightaway.
- Take the plant out of its pot and look at the roots. If they’re black or mushy that’s a clear sign that they’re rotting.
- Trim away any of throat rotted parts.
- Repot it in fresh soil that drains well.
Address Underwatering
If the soils very dry and your ZZ plant looks wilted and has droopy leaves it probably needs more water.
Fix Underwatering:
- Water it well and make sure that the water is coming through and out of the holes in the pot.
- Be consistent with your watering but don’t overdo it. You should only be watering when the top inch or two of the soil is dry.
- Use water that is at room temperature so it doesn’t shock your ZZ plant.
3. Adjust Light Conditions
Getting the light wrong can cause problems for ZZ plants even though they don’t mind a variety of lighting.
This is how to make sure its getting the right amount:
Signs of Too Much Light
- Burnt or bleached leaves.
- Leaves curling or drying out.
Solution: Keep your ZZ plant a few feet away from any window that gets direct sunlight. You can also use sheer curtains to diffuse the light.
Signs of Too Little Light
- Slow growth.
- Leggy stems that you can see are stretching towards the source of light.
Solution: Put it somewhere that gets bright and indirect light. A north facing window is usually a good option. If you live somewhere that doesn’t get much light then a grow light is a good alternative.
4. Balance Temperature and Humidity
ZZ plants don’t like it when the temperature and humidity fluctuate too much. In fact it can stress the plant.
Temperature Tips:
- Keep your ZZ plant in a room between 65°F and 75°F (18°C to 24°C).
- Drafts will also stress it. So keep it away from open windows, heaters and air conditioners.
- If your ZZ plant is meat to a heat vent in the winter then it’s probably a good idea to move it somewhere cooler.
Humidity Tips:
- ZZ plants can deal with low humidity but if the air gets very dry their leaf tips will turn brown. You can stop this from happening by putting a bowl of water near your plant or misting it here and there.
- If you live somewhere quite small then a humidifier is a good way to add some moisture.
5. Check for Pests
They’re generally able to withstand most pests but if you’re not giving them the right sort of care may mean they get pests like spider mites or mealybugs.
How to Spot Pests
- Spider mites: You will notice tiny red or brown dots on the leaves with webbing underneath.
- Mealybugs: White areas on on stems or joints of the leaves.
Steps to Remove Pests:
- Wipe the leaves with a cloth that has been dampened in soapy water.
- Use neem oil or insecticidal soap on any parts of the plant you see pests.
- Do these every week until you’re confident the pests are gone.
6. Refresh the Soil
Getting the soil wrong can have a major impact on your ZZ plant. If it becomes compacted and lacks nutrients it can mean it doesn’t drain well and the health of your plant suffers.
- Repot your ZZ plant every 2 to 3 years and replace the soil.
- Use a mix that drains well. Cactus soil with sand or perlite added to it works very well for ZZ plants.
- Don’t use heavy soils that hold on to too much water like standard garden soil.
7. Prune for Recovery
When you prune you’re removing dead leaves that the plant is still sending energy to. So once you’ve got rid of the dead or dying leaves your plant can send that energy to new growth.
- Use pruners or scissors that have been fully sterilized so you don’t spread any bacteria.
- Cut the leaves at their base.
- Throw the clippings away quickly so you don’t spread any disease.
8. Propagate if Necessary
If you don’t think you can save you plant then propagate it’s healthy parts so you can grow a new one.
Leaf Propagation
- Snip a healthy leaf from the plant.
- Let it dry for a day. This gives it token to form a callus.
- Plant the leaf in moist soil and keep it in indirect light.
Rhizome Division
- Take your plant out of its pot and separate the healthy rhizomes.
- Plant the rhizomes in fresh soil and water it a little.
9. Fertilize Lightly
Too much fertilizer can burn the roots and leaves. And not enough will slow down growth.
- Use houseplant fertilizer and make sure you dilute it to half strength.
- Only use it during the spring and summer and no more than once a month.
10. Rotate Your Plant
ZZ plants grow towards the light and depending on where that is it can cause them to grow lopsided. So it’s a good idea to rotate it every few weeks as you’ll get more balanced growth.
11. Be Patient
It will take time for your ZZ plant to fully recover. Once you’ve sorted whatever the problem is it can still take weeks or months for it to start showing any signs of improvement.
12. Keep a Care Routine
Once you’ve got your ZZ plant back to full health it would be smart to get into a routine for its care. Things like watering, checking the soil and light etc. should be done routinely every week/few weeks or whatever is right for your plant.
With these tips you should be well placed to save your ZZ plant. Just remember – it may be tough and able to withstand a lot but it still needs attention and proper care.