underwatering and Zz Plant Raven
Quick answer
If underwatering is what's going on with your Zz Plant Raven, the most likely cause is: Zamioculcas zamiifolia Raven stores water in its chunky potato-like rhizomes, so the plant is genetically built to tolerate extended dry periods and is described as a striking upright plant that doesn't mind being underwatered, but when the soak-and-dry rhythm is pushed so far that the compost stays bone-dry at the root core for weeks on end the petioles lose turgor and the leaflets start to flag.
Start here:
- 1. Probe the compost with a finger before watering: if it is bone-dry at the root core, water thoroughly so excess drains freely from the pot's drainage holes, then leave the soil to dry out completely and check back in a couple of weeks before the next soak.
- 2. If the compost is soggy, allow the top 5cm (2in) to dry out and check that the pot is draining freely, then resume the soak-and-dry cycle so the rhizomes are not pushed back into the overwatered range that triggers root rot.
Why underwatering happens to Zz Plant Raven
Zamioculcas zamiifolia 'Raven'
Zamioculcas zamiifolia Raven stores water in its chunky potato-like rhizomes, so the plant is genetically built to tolerate extended dry periods and is described as a striking upright plant that doesn't mind being underwatered, but when the soak-and-dry rhythm is pushed so far that the compost stays bone-dry at the root core for weeks on end the petioles lose turgor and the leaflets start to flag.
How to correct underwatering on Zz Plant Raven
- 1
Probe the compost with a finger before watering: if it is bone-dry at the root core, water thoroughly so excess drains freely from the pot's drainage holes, then leave the soil to dry out completely and check back in a couple of weeks before the next soak.
- 2
If the compost is soggy, allow the top 5cm (2in) to dry out and check that the pot is draining freely, then resume the soak-and-dry cycle so the rhizomes are not pushed back into the overwatered range that triggers root rot.
Keep underwatering from repeating on this Zz Plant Raven
Adopt a soak-and-dry schedule tailored to the Raven by watering so the compost is just moist, letting the top 5cm (2in) dry out between waterings all year round, and never letting the plant sit in wet compost because the chunky rhizomes that store water for the plant are exactly what tolerate drought but rot under persistent saturation.