Planta
Zurück zu Pests, diseases and problems 🇺🇸

Hello, I’ve been having some issues recently with my ZZ plant. The… | Pests, diseases and problems 🇺🇸 | Planta-Community

Julia

Hello, I’ve been having some issues recently with my ZZ plant. The leaves have slowly been going yellow then brown, dry and snapping off. For a bit of context I’ve had the plant for around 4 months and it has been heathy and growing rapidly the entire time. I noticed that the pot it was in started to warp and thought it was time to repot into something bigger. I went a size up and used just regular potting soil with PEAT (not sure if that’s relevant or not) after repotting growth slowed then stopped entirely I assumed it needed to settle after being repotted. However around two or so weeks ago it started yellowing. The soil was still damp (I have been following the Planta watering instructions since the begging and it has always been fine) and researched that it could be getting affected by root rot so I took it out of the soil again to check and seemed fine but I’m not an expert. I then repotted it into a 70/30 mix of a new potting soil (specifically for houseplants) and perlite. The two close up pictures were taken about four days apart and you can see the progress of the browning leaves. Any idea what I should do to save this plant?

Anhang 1 von 3Anhang 2 von 3Anhang 3 von 3
2 Likes 3 Kommentare

3 Kommentare

  1. Alyssa

    Okay so I really think it’s on overwatering and root rot/fungal issue 😬ZZ plants are really drought tolerant as they have a root system just like potatoes it literally looks like tubers. They love being root bound and so going up a pot size is also another reason I’m adding to my assumption of what the problem is. Also, Planta is notorious for telling you to overwater your plants. Like today I got a notification to water my Zz plant and I just did not two weeks ago. I’d say water them once a month when the soil is bone dry allll the way down to the drainage hole. And using a soil with peat is definitely not that ideal, since peat is like a sponge and will hold water for months within the soil. That’s good you put in some perlite in the second soil mix, these plants come from parts of Africa where the soil is very well draining, so I’d even bump up the soil additions more with some orchid bark or chunkier perlite. For the plant itself, I’d go down a pot size again, and maybe amend the soil. Cut off any yellowing parts or any roots that have squishy or rotten smelling parts. If it’s moist when you’re repotting do not water for a good two to three weeks, then water it and wait a good month or even more if it’s not dry at the drainage hole. It’s not your fault, houseplants are tricky and you think you’re doing the right thing following Planta but Planta encourages new growers to take an overwatering approach. Plants will tolerate it for awhile but then go downhill fast after they’re so water logged. Hopefully all that helps! 😊

    7 Likes
    • Julia

      Thank you so much that is really great advice! I will try that it all and hopefully I can save it and it can thrive again makes me so sad watching it dying everyday

      1 Like
    • Alyssa

      Of course! Aw yeah I really hope it works out, I totally get the feeling, especially when you’re wanting to just enjoy it and not stress about it’s well being

      0 Likes