root rot on Zz Plant Raven
Quick answer
If your Zz Plant Raven has root rot, the most likely cause is: Zamioculcas zamiifolia Raven's rhizomes sit shallow in the pot and store water efficiently for drought survival, so when the compost does not dry between waterings or standing water collects at the base, the rhizome crown becomes anaerobic and the roots turn brown and mushy as the rot climbs up into the petiole base.
Start here:
- 1. Allow the compost to dry out fully and unpot the plant to inspect the rhizome crown, then trim any brown mushy roots and remove affected areas before repotting into fresh well-draining mix in a disinfected pot.
- 2. Water so the compost is just moist and let the top 5cm (2in) dry out between waterings, all year round, and never let the pot sit in wet compost because persistent saturation is the trigger for rhizome rot.
Why Zz Plant Raven gets root rot
Zamioculcas zamiifolia Raven
Zamioculcas zamiifolia Raven's rhizomes sit shallow in the pot and store water efficiently for drought survival, so when the compost does not dry between waterings or standing water collects at the base, the rhizome crown becomes anaerobic and the roots turn brown and mushy as the rot climbs up into the petiole base.
How to reverse root rot on Zz Plant Raven
- 1
Allow the compost to dry out fully and unpot the plant to inspect the rhizome crown, then trim any brown mushy roots and remove affected areas before repotting into fresh well-draining mix in a disinfected pot.
- 2
Water so the compost is just moist and let the top 5cm (2in) dry out between waterings, all year round, and never let the pot sit in wet compost because persistent saturation is the trigger for rhizome rot.
- 3
Make sure the pot must allow water to flow out the drainage holes, because standing water at the bottom of your pot causes root rot in this rhizome-dependent species.
Keep root rot off this Zz Plant Raven
Let the soil completely dry out between thorough waterings and check back in a couple of weeks, choosing a pot only slightly wider than the root ball with multiple drainage holes so the Raven's rhizomes never sit in saturated compost.