7 Reasons for a Leggy ZZ Plant and How to Fix It

ZZ plant, like any plant, can have problems. And leggy growth is one of them.

A leggy ZZ plant is a sign that something isn’t right. It goes deeper than purely being a visual issue.

So let’s get into why this happens and what you can do to fix it.

Why Does a ZZ Plant Become Leggy?

Before we get into the solutions it’s a good idea to understand what could be causing your ZZ plant to become leggy. Plants help us out by communicating with us what they need. And leggy growth is your ZZ plants way of showing you it’s not happy.

These are the most common culprits:

1. Not Enough Light

ZZ plants can survive worthy it much light. But they do have limits to how much they can put up with.

They can survive without much but they won’t do well. If they don’t get enough light they will stretch towards the near test source of light they can find and this will cause weak and leggy growth.

This is especially common in rooms that don’t have any windows or only north facing windows.

How to recognize this:

• Stems growing in one direction (toward the light source).
• Sparse leaves on the elongated stems.

2. Overwatering

As they have rhizomes, which let them store water underground, it means they can go long periods without being watered. So if you overwater them you could suffocate the roots and cause root rot.

Roots that are struggling often results in leggy growth as the plant can’t maintain the leaves properly.

How to recognize this:

• Yellow leaves.
• Mushy stems or soil that’s always wet.
• A nasty smell coming from the pot.

3. Underwatering

You can underwater ZZ plants too. If the soil is dry for too long then the plant will switch to survival mode and focus on growing its stems so it can find water. Doing so means the leaves are sacrificed and they will become leggy.

How to recognize this:

• Wrinkled or drooping leaves.
• Dry soil that pulls away from the edges of the pot.

4. Nutrient Imbalance

ZZ plants don’t grow quickly and so don’t need much in the way of fertilizer. But if you give them too much, especially fertilizer that has a lot of nitrogen in it, they can grow too fast and develop weak stems. And at the same time not getting enough nutrients will slow and mess up their growth too.

How to recognize this:

• Pale or yellow leaves.
• Stems that flop under their own weight.

5. Pot Size and Root Health

ZZ plants grow best when they’re snug in their pot. If the pot is too big it will hold on to moisture and cause the soil to become soggy and eventually root rot.

But if the plant becomes root bound it will have difficulty absorbing nutrients and this will lead to poor growth.

How to recognize this:

• Roots poking out of drainage holes.
• Soil drying out too quickly or staying too wet.

6. Stress from Environmental Changes

If your ZZ plant is being subject to lots of sudden changes, like being moved to a new spot, repotting it etc. it can become stressed. They like consistency and being stressed a lot may cause the leaves to grow oddly or even drop those leaves.

How to recognize this:

• Leaves dropping after the plant has been moved.
• Stems growing unevenly or flopping over.

7. Pest Infestation

It’s not common but ZZ plants can be hit by the likes of spider mites or mealybugs. When they starts sapping your plants energy it can weaken the leaves and produce leggy stems.

How to recognize this:

• Tiny webs, sticky substance, or simply being able to see the pests on leaves.
• Yellow or curling leaves.

How to Fix a Leggy ZZ Plant

So those are the causes, now it’s time to look at how you fix the issue. The main aim is going to be giving your ZZ plant what it needs to really thrive.

1. Optimize Lighting

Bright, indirect light is what ZZ plants really like. If yours is somewhere that doesn’t get much light then move it closer to a window or use a grow light.

Pro Tips:

• East or west facing windows are great choices.
• Rotate your plant every few weeks so all sides of it get their fair share of light.
• Don’t put it in direct sunlight! The leaves might get burnt.

2. Water Wisely

ZZ plants like to be watered and the left to dry. Overwatering is probably the quickest way to upset it. So let the soil get dry between each watering.

How to water properly:

• Check the top inch of the soil with your finger. If it’s ry than water.
• Use a pot that has a decent amount of drainage holes so the water doesn’t pool.

3. Fertilize Sparingly

Use a balanced fertilizer designed specifically for houseplants. Dilute it to around half the recommends strength so it isn’t too much for your plant.

Fertilizer Schedule:

• Spring and summer: Once every 6 to 8 weeks.
• Fall and winter: Don’t fertilize as the plant is dormant.

4. Prune Smartly

When you prune the leggy stems it actually encourages your plant to grow. So you should be pruning from time to time and cutting back the stems (do so just above the leaf node).

Bonus Tip: You can propagate the cuttings! Put them in water or soil and they’ll eventually grow roots.

5. Repot When Needed

If your ZZ plant has become too big for its pot then move it into to one then about 1 to 2 inches bigger in diameter. Use fresh potting mix. Something like a cactus or succulent blend will work well.

When to repot:

Every 2 to 3 years or when you can see the roots crowded or coming out of the drainage holes.

6. Maintain Consistency

ZZ plants like things to be stable. So keep the temperatures between 65 to
75°F (18 to 24°C). Don’t put it near heating vents, air conditioners or windows with drafts either.

7. Monitor for Pests

Check your plant regularly for signs of pests. If you spot any then treat them quickly using something like neem oil or insecticidal soap.

Preventing Future Legginess

When your ZZ plant is looking good you should switch your focus to preventing it from happening again. A healthy plant is far less likely to become leggy.

This quick reference table is for the best care:

Common Questions About ZZ Plants

Can a leggy ZZ plant recover?

Yes! With proper care, so pruning, better lighting and consistent watering, your ZZ plant will get better and should grow stronger.

Is leggy growth seasonal?

Not usually. ZZ plants grow slowly all year and legginess is more about the environment than the season.

Final Thoughts

A leggy ZZ plant doesn’t mean it’s doomed. Once you’ve dealt with the underlying issues it should bounce back and look great again.

Just pay attention to how your plant reacts to the changes you make and you should be able to find what it likes and needs. And then you’re all set to care for it the right way from then on and avoid any leggy growth in the future.