---
title: "Uh oh!! My Zz Raven isn’t looking so great. I don’t think I’ve…"
description: "Uh oh!! My Zz Raven isn’t looking so great. I don’t think I’ve overwatered."
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/vOLjreBcQ-OpqrHIhVSc4w/64e525991e5311371f72bc08"
community: "The Cactus & Succulent Circle"
author: "Christine"
published: "2023-08-22T21:16:09.505Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/DFskPZtGSJazSgpsBs3kcYIoFeEp__snxvJaGrys7hg/13d88a09f1724e78af5e7fef60cfd13e.webp?size=large"
---

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# Uh oh!! My Zz Raven isn’t looking so great. I don’t think I’ve…

_Posted by Christine on 2023-08-22_

Uh oh!! My Zz Raven isn’t looking so great. I don’t think I’ve overwatered.

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/DFskPZtGSJazSgpsBs3kcYIoFeEp__snxvJaGrys7hg/13d88a09f1724e78af5e7fef60cfd13e.webp?size=large)

## 8 comments

### Anya commented on 2023-08-22

Are you watering when it’s completely dry?

#### Christine replied on 2023-08-22

Yes. I’ve only watered this once since I got him

### MeasomerPi commented on 2023-08-22

What kind of soil is it in? Mine came in coir and would not dry out.

#### Christine replied on 2023-08-22

It’s succulent and cactus mix with extra perlite and some orchid bark.

#### MeasomerPi replied on 2023-08-22

Ooooo a delicious chunky mix. Sounds good to me!

You might consider using the chopstick method to check moisture. I’ve heard a couple of different ways. With drought tolerant plants I leave one in the soil and check it before watering. If it feels damp, I wait a couple of days before checking again. I only water when the chopstick feels dry to the touch.

I suggest this because moisture meters are notoriously inconsistent. Don’t get me wrong. I use them and find them useful. But I don’t trust them very much.

#### Christine replied on 2023-08-23

Well, the chopstick method says he’s bone dry! I used a method that measured water lol and it said to give him a cup on the 19th. I don’t think that’s enough water after a month! Eek

#### MeasomerPi replied on 2023-08-23

They can take a ton of neglect. When you repotted you may have noticed the tubers the plant uses to store its water reserves. And long as they are firm, you should be good. I treat mine like a low light succulent. It gets water roughly once a month. To misquote Mies van der Rohe, less (water) is more.

The yellowing could be due to it adjusting to its new conditions.

### Evil Plant Dad commented on 2023-08-23

They have a special root system that sucks up water and can hold on to it for a long time, but it has the ability to suck more water than it needs. It could be that it was a bit too early to water it still even though it was bone dry.

I would try to neglect it extra this time, snooze the watering if you need to. Overwatering is the most common problem with ZZ

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