ZZ plant watering or as some call it “Zamioculcas Zami folia” plant is one of the most vital aspects of caring for this stunning plant. To ensure your plant grows well and stays healthy for years, you must water it on time and correctly. But, with so much conflicting information out there, knowing how much water your ZZ plant needs and when to water it can be challenging.
This article demystifies ZZ plant watering and answers all your questions. Whether you’re a gardening pro or a beginner, you’ll find valuable tips and insights to help keep your ZZ plant happy and healthy. So, let’s discover together the complete information of the world of ZZ plant watering! but before that make sure to read the following article to learn How To Take Care Of A ZZ Plant and how to watering houseplants
ZZ plant watering requirement
One of the main reasons for the popularity of the ZZ plant is that it does not need much watering, and too much watering destroys this plant. Also, unlike many other houseplants, the ZZ plant can tolerate periods of drought, and even if you forget to water it for a week or two, it will not suffer much.
Maybe this question has occurred to you, what should be the amount of irrigation? Water the plant as much as you can; that is, water the ZZ plant enough that the excess water comes out from under the pot, and all parts of the soil get wet, and the plant is watered.
Over-watering is a much more important problem for this plant than under-watering. The ZZ plant family stores water in their rhizomes, thick, potato-like underground stems. This means that the plant can survive without water for a long time. However, if you overwater your ZZ plant, the soil will become waterlogged, and this waterlogging will eventually cause the rhizomes to rot, leading to severe damage or even the death of your plant.
don’t forget to check the ZZ plant toxic article
How often to water ZZ plant?
The size of your plant, the pot it is in, the temperature and humidity of the house, and how much light the plant receives are just a few of the factors that will determine the answer to this question. generally you should water your ZZ plant once every two to three weeks. However, you shouldn’t water it unless the top 1- 2 inches of the soil is completely dry; otherwise, your plant will suffer from water-related and othe common ZZ plant problems
To check if the the pot’s soil needs watering or not, just stick your finger in the soil to find out if it is time to water your plant. If the soil is wet, wait a few more days then to the same test again, and water the plant in case it is required. During the cold seasons of the year i.e. late fall and winter, you can reduce ZZ plant watering frequency to once every four to six weeks as the plant’s growth rate slows. It is also important to note that the ZZ plant family is sensitive to temperature and cold weather, so keep them away from windows and doors during the colder seasons.
Important points about ZZ plant watering
Here are some additional tips to keep in mind when watering your ZZ plant:
- Use a well-drained potting mix to drain excess water from the pot; this helps prevent waterlogging of the soil.
- Use room temperature water, as cold water can damage plant roots.
- avoid pour water on the leaves . Wet leaves can lead to the growth of fungi and many other houseplant diseases.
- Use well-drained soil and make sure that your pot has drainage holes that will lead the excess water to drain out. If your pot does not these holes, use a layer of rocks or gravel at the bottom of the pot to improve drainage.
What are the characteristics of suitable water for ZZ plant watering?
ZZ plant is not very sensitive to water, and you can use all kinds of water for this plant, but following a few points can increase your plant’s growth. Here are some of the characteristics that suitable water for ZZ plant watering should have:
Suitable water pH
The ZZ plant family prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil, with a PH range of 5.5 to 7.5. The water used for ZZ plant watering should also be within this range so as not to change the soil’s pH level. It is better to use water with a PH level between 6.0 and 6.5, which is the ideal range for ZZ plant growth.
Have a low amount of chlorine
Most tap water contains chlorine, which is added to disinfect the water source. However, chlorine can be harmful to plants, and in high concentrations, it can cause leaves to burn or even kill the plant; to prevent this, it is recommended to let the water sit in a container for 24 hours before using it for ZZ plant watering and then start watering your plant.
Temperature
It is very important to use water at or near room temperature because cold water can damage the plant’s roots, and hot water can damage the plant. So use water at the same temperature as the plant’s storage environment.
ZZ plant watering rate
The ZZ plant different varieties are drought-resistant this means they can easily tolerate low watering. However, you should provide enough water to keep the soil moist but prevent it from getting waterlogged. bear in mind that overwatering can lead to problems such as ZZ plants root rot, while underwatering can cause browning and leaf drop.
Step By Step With Watering Plants While Traveling
How often should you water ZZ plant?
As mentioned earlier, the frequency of the ZZ plant watering can differ depending on many factors; for instance plant size, material used in the pots, environmental conditions, and soil quality. But, in nutshell you should first check the soil for a month, and after that, you will arrive at a formula like watering once every 2-3 weeks.
make sure to check the 1-2 inches of the pot’s soil , and if it is dry, water the plant with suitable water. To test the soil dryness, you can move the soil aside, test the soil moisture with your finger, or use a wooden sticks.
read to learn more about Benefits Of Bottom Watering Plants
What are the symptoms of overwatered ZZ plant?
Overwatering or accumulation of water at the saucer of the pot are considered to be the biggest enemies of the ZZ plant, especially its roots. The ZZ plant should not be overwatered, but if you notice any of the following symptoms, make sure to check that the excess water has been drained from under the pot:
Yellowing of leaves
The ZZ plants leaves turning yellow is among the earliest symptoms of overwatering in the ZZ plant family. Due to the risk of root rot from over watering, which interferes with the plant’s ability to absorb nutrients from the soil and causes yellowing of the leaves.
Why Does My ZZ Plant Have Yellow Leaves?
Wilting of leaves:
Over-watering can also cause wilting of the leaves of the ZZ plant family; This is because too much water in the soil can lead to a lack of oxygen, impairing the plant’s ability to absorb water and nutrients.
Softening of the plant stem:
Soft and tender stem is another sign of over-watering in the ZZ plant; family; This is because root rot can spread from the root to the stem, causing the stem to become soft and tender.
Unpleasant smell in the soil:
A strong smell coming from the soil as a result of overwatering could be a sign of root rot. Anaerobic bacteria that are multiplying in the soil are the source of this smell.
Dropping leaves:
If your ZZ plant is dropping its leaves, it may be a sign of over-watering because over-watering can weaken and rot the roots and lead to leaf drop.
What are the symptoms of low watering in the ZZ plant?
The ZZ plant is resistant to low watering and can tolerate these conditions well, but if the duration and frequency of watering increases, the plant will suffer from problems that we will examine below:
Wilting or falling leaves
ZZ plant’s leaves may start to wilt or fall off if it does not get enough water.
Yellowing or browning of leaves
It may be a warning that the ZZ plant is not getting enough water if its leaves begin to turn yellow or brown.
Dry or crispy leaves
The ZZ plant’s leaves might appear dry or crispy to the touch when they are dehydrated.
Stagnation of growth
Lack of water may prevent the ZZ plant from growing as quickly or strongly as it should.
Leaf drop
If the zz plant is severely dehydrated, it may start to drop leaves.
ZZ Plant Leaves Curling Reasons + Solution
How long can the ZZ plant stay without water?
As repeated in this article, this plant can tolerate drought well and survive without water for several weeks, but the exact duration may depend on various factors such as the age of the plant, the size of the pot, and environmental conditions.
Because their roots are still growing, young ZZ plant plants require more watering than mature plants do. The lifespan of a new ZZ plant may not exceed one week without getting enough water. Mature plants may easily survive without water for several weeks (of course, this number varies depending on the keeping environment).
Summary of ZZ plant watering
Anyone searching for a low-maintenance, simple-to-care-for houseplant may choose the ZZ plant. Your plant will live a long, healthy life if you follow the advice and suggestions in this article. Just after the topsoil has dried out between every two to three weeks, don’t forget to water your ZZ plant. Your ZZ plant will flourish and beautify your house with a little love and care.
Additionally, the appropriate water for the ZZ plant should have a pH that is slightly acidic, be at room temperature. If you have experience on taking care of and watering Zamophilia, share it in the comments section.