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Soil Issues on zz plant
What's Happening
ZZ plants are often kept dry for so long that their peat-based potting soil becomes hydrophobic, repelling water.
How to Fix It
- 1
Bottom-watering: Place the pot in a tub of water for 1 hour until the top soil feels moist.
- 2
Chopstick aeration: Gently poke holes in the soil with a chopstick to create channels for water to enter.
- 3
Soil replacement: Replace old peat with a more stable coco-coir based gritty mix.
How to Prevent It
Do not let the soil stay completely bone-dry for more than 4-6 weeks at a time.
Related Problems
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What causes soil issues on my plant?
ZZ plants are often kept dry for so long that their peat-based potting soil becomes hydrophobic, repelling water.
How do I fix soil issues?
Bottom-watering: Place the pot in a tub of water for 1 hour until the top soil feels moist.. Chopstick aeration: Gently poke holes in the soil with a chopstick to create channels for water to enter..
How do I prevent soil issues from happening again?
Do not let the soil stay completely bone-dry for more than 4-6 weeks at a time.