The best way to repot your Zz plant | Planta (2024)

Want to learn more about Repotting Zz plant

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How to repot your Zz plant

Not sure if your Zz plant needs to be repotted?

The best way to repot your Zz plant | Planta (3)

Three options to consider when repotting

Use a bigger pot

Good for plants that grow a lot and where the current pot has started to inhibit its growth.

Same pot, new soil

For plants that you don’t want to get any bigger.

Change the top layer of soil

For big plants that are too hard to repot. Remove the top layer of the old soil and add a new fresh one.

Recommended soil

The best way to repot your Zz plant | Planta (4)

This is how you repot your Zz plant

  1. Water the plantWater your plant to loosen up the soil from the pot.

  2. Remove the potGently take hold of the plant and start to loosen the pot, avoiding pulling on the trunk or branches. If it’s hard to get the pot to come off, try to cut the soil loose from the edges of the pot with a small knife. You can also gently tap on the outside of the pot with a tool or on the bench.

  3. Prune the rootsDo a root control and remove anything that looks dead, moldy or rotten. If both the soil and the roots look healthy, avoid touching the root ball, as it causes stress to the plant. If there are thick roots that are coiled up, loosen these with your fingers or cut them off.

    If you’re using the same pot again, shake the soil off from the plant and cut away about 25% of the roots. This will help the plant stay fresh and small enough to continue living in the same pot.

  4. Choose the potWhen picking out a new pot, think about using one that’s only slightly bigger than the last one. About 1”-2” larger is a good rule of thumb. If you pick a pot that's too large, there's a risk that the new soil won’t be able to dry up quickly enough between waterings, which might cause your plant to suffocate in the wet soil.

  5. Clean the potMake sure the new pot is clean from old soil. Wash it with soap, rinse well and pat dry. If you use a dirty container when repotting your plant, there’s a risk that microorganisms are alive in the old soil, which can infect your plant.

  6. Pour soil in the bottom of the potAdd soil to the bottom of the pot. Make sure that you put down the right amount - the root ball should be placed a few inches under the edge of the pot - if you place it too high your pot will overflow when watering.

  7. Put down the plantPlace the plant on the soil and check that it’s centered before you start adding more soil.

  8. Add soilAdd soil around the plant: gently tap it with your fingers to make it firm and check that your plant is not planted deeper than it was before.

  9. WaterWater the plant until water starts to exit through the drainage holes. If your plant was watered close to the repotting you might skip this step and just stick to the schedule instead.

  10. More soil?Sometimes you need to add more soil after watering the plant. Make sure that your plant has enough soil around its roots before you are done.

The best way to repot your Zz plant | Planta (5)

After repotting

Repotting is stressful for plants. It takes about one month before your plant is fully recovered and can start to enjoy the new and improved environment.

During this period make sure to

  • Place the plant in a bright, but sheltered place.

  • Water it but stick to the schedule if possible. Follow the instructions in Planta to get it right.

  • Don’t feed it. The new soil is filled with plant food, adding more can harm the already stressed out roots.

The best way to repot your Zz plant | Planta (2024)

FAQs

The best way to repot your Zz plant | Planta? ›

🌱 Components for Ideal Soil Mix

Inorganic components, like perlite or sand, ensure good drainage. They're the unsung heroes, preventing your ZZ from getting waterlogged. Organic components, like peat or bark, retain moisture. They're the comfort food for your ZZ, keeping it hydrated but not drenched.

What is the best soil mixture for ZZ plants? ›

🌱 Components for Ideal Soil Mix

Inorganic components, like perlite or sand, ensure good drainage. They're the unsung heroes, preventing your ZZ from getting waterlogged. Organic components, like peat or bark, retain moisture. They're the comfort food for your ZZ, keeping it hydrated but not drenched.

Do ZZ plants like being root bound? ›

Do ZZ Plants Like to Be Root-Bound? ZZ plants can tolerate many different conditions and more neglect than many houseplants, but if they become too root-bound, these plants have a hard time soaking up water. If your ZZ plant shows signs of being root-bound, transplant it to a larger container.

Do ZZ plants need drainage holes? ›

As with many indoor plants, the biggest killer of ZZ plants is overwatering. If the roots are kept constantly wet, they will rot, killing the plant. This also means that the plant needs good drainage, so plant it in a pot with holes in the bottom, and use a fast-draining succulent or cactus potting mix.

How do you make a ZZ plant happy? ›

Despite being drought-tolerant, your ZZ will be healthiest with regular watering. Humidity: Average indoor humidity, no adjustments required. Soil: Fast-draining medium works best to avoid root rot. Good Succulent or Cactus mix works well.

How do I make my ZZ plant fuller? ›

To encourage growth in your ZZ plant, ensure it gets moderate indirect light, water it when the soil is dry (about every 2-3 weeks), and use well-draining soil. Also, consider fertilizing with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every few months during the growing season.

How often do ZZ plants grow new shoots? ›

ZZ plants aren't really fast growers. A plant this size probably won't put up more than 2 or 3 new stems per year – and they tend to occur in spurts rather than steadily throughout the year.

Should you rotate a ZZ plant? ›

ZZ Plant is very tolerant and hard to kill, making it an easy-care plant that will quickly bounce back from any mishap. To help it grow optimally and evenly, occasionally dust the leaves and rotate the pot by a ¼ turn once a month.

Can I put a ZZ plant cutting in soil? ›

Fill a well-draining new pot with Rosy's ZZ plant soil. Pre-moisten the soil to encourage new growth. Plant your ZZ cutting in moist soil. Keep the pot in an area with bright light but not direct sunlight.

Do ZZ plants like deep or shallow pots? ›

ZZ plants need drainage holes in their pots, as they do not want any excess water to build up in the bottom. It is also recommended that ZZ plants are not potted into containers that have openings smaller than the widest part of the pot.

How do I know when to repot a ZZ plant? ›

Signs That Your ZZ Plant Needs Repotting
  1. A ZZ Plant pausing in growth or sporting pale leaves is crying out for a change. ...
  2. Keep an eye out for yellowing leaves or a general look of defeat. ...
  3. Sources are unanimous: early spring is the golden window for repotting.
Dec 14, 2023

What kind of pots do ZZ plants like? ›

Instead, we encourage people to pot their ZZ plants into nursery pots that can be staged in a decorative pot, or in terracotta pottery which is typically inexpensive/replaceable.

Do ZZ plants need big pots? ›

Other types of houseplants can be repotted in the same container by root pruning, but this isn't an option for the rhizomes of ZZ plant. Instead, you will need to choose a larger pot in which to repot the ZZ plant. Generally, a ZZ plant should be repotted every 2 years.

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