How often to water a ZZ plant
Zamioculcas zamiifolia
Every 2 to 3 weeks, when the soil is completely dry.
A ZZ plant stores water in thick underground rhizomes, so it handles neglect far better than extra water. Skipping a watering rarely hurts it.
ZZ plant schedule
Water
- Spring and summer
- About every 2 to 3 weeks
- Fall and winter
- About once a month
Feed
- Spring and summer
- Once or twice in the season, at half strength
- Fall and winter
- None
Check the soil first. Water only when it is as dry as this guide says.
How to tell it is time to water
Let the soil dry out completely, top to bottom, before watering again.
Signs of overwatering
- Leaves turning yellow, starting at the bottom of the stems
- Soft, mushy stems or rhizomes
- Soil that smells sour
Signs of underwatering
- Wrinkled or shriveled leaflets
- Leaves dropping after a very long dry spell
Light and pot
- Light
- Tolerates low light and does well in bright, indirect light. Lower light means even less frequent watering.
- Pot and soil
- A well-draining mix and a pot with a drainage hole. Repot only when the rhizomes crowd the pot.
- Pets
- Listed by the ASPCA as toxic to cats and dogs. Keep it out of reach.
This schedule is general guidance for a healthy indoor plant. Light, temperature, humidity, pot size and soil all change how fast it dries out, so check the soil before you water and adjust.