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How to Water a ZZ Plant: A Complete Guide

公開日: November 20, 2025

How to Water a ZZ Plant: A Complete Guide

How to water

All of the soil should be dry before watering again. If the soil is still moist, you risk giving the ZZ plant too much water and it can start to rot. There are several ways to water ZZ plants - they aren’t very picky. Choose a way that suits you the best.

If the soil is moist - snooze this action, we will remind you again in 2 days.

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Water over the soil

  1. Pour water over the soil, using, for example, a watering can or put the plant directly under a tap

  2. Continue adding water to the pot until it starts to run out from the drainage holes

  3. If you have a tray under the pot when watering, make sure you remove all the collected water afterwards - never let your plant sit in water

  4. If you watered under a tap make sure that water has stopped running out from the bottom before putting it back

It’s easier to kill a ZZ plant with overwatering than with underwatering, and it’s definitely easier to save an underwatered ZZ plant than the opposite.
— Planta tip

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Bottom watering

  1. Fill the plant tray with water

  2. Make sure the soil is in contact with the water on the tray

  3. Wait for about 10 minutes

  4. Feel the soil to see if it absorbed enough water —> if the soil is moist throughout, remove any excess water from the tray

  5. If it’s still dry —> add more water to the tray

  6. Wait 20 more minutes before removing the excess

Note

Bottom watering will not wash away salts and other minerals from the soil, so make sure to also give water over the soil every now and then.

Water bath

  1. Fill a bucket or any other vessel with lukewarm water

  2. Lower the whole pot down in the water, stop where the stem of the plant starts. Make sure all of the soil is under water

  3. The water will now start to bubble - wait until it stopped

  4. Lift the pot up and let the excess drain off

  5. Put your ZZ plant back in the cachepot or on the tray

  6. After 1 hour, check that your plant isn’t standing in water, if it is it might get overwatered and rot

ZZ plants are drought-tolerant, so you don’t need to stress about them drying up a bit.
— Planta tip

よくある質問

How often should I water my ZZ plant?

You should water your ZZ plant only when all of its soil is completely dry. Waiting for the soil to dry out prevents overwatering and potential rot.

What happens if I overwater my ZZ plant?

If the soil is still moist when you water, you risk overwatering, which can lead to the plant starting to rot. It is much easier to save an underwatered ZZ plant than an overwatered one.

How do I check if my ZZ plant has absorbed enough water when bottom watering?

After about 10 minutes of bottom watering, feel the soil to see if it is moist throughout. If it is still dry, add more water to the tray and wait another 20 minutes before removing any excess.

Can ZZ plants tolerate drying out between waterings?

Yes, ZZ plants are drought-tolerant, so you do not need to stress if they dry up a bit. It is generally easier to save an underwatered ZZ plant than an overwatered one.

Why is it important to occasionally water my ZZ plant from the top?

Bottom watering will not wash away salts and other minerals that can accumulate in the soil. Make sure to water over the soil every now and then to flush these out.

How to Water a ZZ Plant Over the Soil

  1. Pour water over the soil, using a watering can or placing the plant directly under a tap.

  2. Continue adding water to the pot until it starts to run out from the drainage holes.

  3. If you have a tray under the pot, make sure you remove all the collected water afterwards; never let your plant sit in water.

  4. If you watered under a tap, ensure that water has stopped running out from the bottom before putting the plant back.