---
title: "Hey all ! Just got a ZZ plant. I gently took a microfiber cloth to…"
description: "Hey all ! Just got a ZZ plant. I gently took a microfiber cloth to wipe the leaves with lukewarm water. Thought it worked but after it started to dry these…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/8PMLW9efHspZFNPuaQPvwb"
community: "Pests, diseases and problems"
author: "Ayhud"
published: "2025-08-31T00:28:22.308191Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/n0SDZkkAEBIjSMPWM9Rckgl-FuAePa7SGFBZmO3LMlg/CxQY8rDpQoS-i7ZEKyNpAA.webp?size=large"
---

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# Hey all ! Just got a ZZ plant. I gently took a microfiber cloth to…

_Posted by Ayhud on 2025-08-31_

Hey all ! Just got a ZZ plant. I gently took a microfiber cloth to wipe the leaves with lukewarm water. Thought it worked but after it started to dry these spots were still there. I also tried with just neem oil and same thing. 🤔 otherwise totally healthy plant!

Might just be stubborn to clean but wanted to see if others had this issue before?

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/n0SDZkkAEBIjSMPWM9Rckgl-FuAePa7SGFBZmO3LMlg/CxQY8rDpQoS-i7ZEKyNpAA.webp?size=large)

## 9 comments

### Phil commented on 2025-08-31

It’s water mineral spots from the nursery. Common and most noticeable on plants with dark leaves. Eventually they seem to wear off. I don’t bother with them. They are difficult to remove I’ve found. Maybe someone here has a hack to remove them.

#### Ayhud replied on 2025-08-31

That’s assuring - thank you! I’ll likely still put neem oil on it but will make a note to reapply again soon once they disappear :)

### Zack commented on 2025-08-31

I’m a big fan of using Castile soap like Bronner’s. Take a spray bottle with distilled water and a few dashes of Bronner’s soap and you could even add a touch of neem oil if you’d like and massage it with a microfiber cloth. That’s how I clean all my plants.

#### Ayhud replied on 2025-08-31

Thank you! I’ll give it a shot

### Sunny commented on 2025-08-31

It’s likely hard water deposits and/or fertilizer salts. It’s common on the plants I buy online from Florida. Every plant arrives like a rescue project. 😁 They clean up well with white vinegar diluted in distilled water. Wipe gently on the leaves to avoid abrasions.

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/wefqOljjhEOiS9LRzOB1-QhxkVJiB4A5DGumXhnNrhs/kYYg6HKwS2yBfsdUlwXjfg.webp?size=large)

#### Ayhud replied on 2025-08-31

Thank you, thank you! :)

### Colie commented on 2025-08-31

I did a splash of white vinegar in about 4-6 oz of water for my monstera with hard water spots and it cleaned up so nicely

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/KsFSot9MyJlpVjNLH0rI0zcCOcDJbVsFIv4X7jl6fok/4rQBBetpTk2gbUZW6Kahaw.webp?size=large)

#### Ayhud replied on 2025-08-31

Beautiful!!!

#### Ayhud replied on 2025-08-31

I am going to give this a shot with some Castile soap too 🙂

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