Promoting Freedom for Creative Architecture
ZZ plants need ample room in their containers as their large underground rhizomes serve as reservoirs of water and nutrients, while becoming overcrowded can result in root rot problems.
If your ZZ plant appears to be suffering from root binding, move it into a larger pot before the spring or summer to help promote its health and prevent it from suffering. Repotting can ensure the best chance of its survival!
Repotting is an integral component of plant care for any ZZ plant, helping promote its health and wellbeing. Repotting is simple to perform during the growing season to minimize shock to the plant; choose a container slightly larger than its predecessor to allow room for roots to spread freely without overpacking; additionally select soil mix which retains moisture but also offers proper drainage for maximum success.
Root bound plants of ZZ variety are easily identified when their roots begin to extend beyond the bottom of their pot and restrict vital air and nutrient flow to its leaves. Left unchecked, this may leave your ZZ plant vulnerable to diseases like stem (petiole) rot or botrytis; as soon as this becomes evident repot the plant in a larger pot as soon as you notice its current container has outgrown it!
Rhizomes in your ZZ plant serve as storage reservoirs for water and nutrients, so they require enough room to expand in order to absorb all their resources efficiently and accelerate growth. When cramped together they become ineffective at taking in sufficient resources, slowing their progress further while potentially leading to root rot in some cases.
Maintaining healthy ZZ plants requires regularly checking them for signs of root bounding and repotting as soon as necessary to maximize growth at their maximum rate. Repotting into fresh potting soil in a larger pot gives them enough space to flourish.
Before repotting your plant, water it thoroughly the night before to loosen its soil and use gloves when handling ZZ plants; their rhizomes produce calcium oxalate that may cause skin irritation. Next, wash away most of the soil from its rhizomes so you can easily examine their state of health and inspect any damaged parts - it might help if you turn over its pot for ease.
Root bound plants occur when their roots have outgrown the space available to them and are no longer able to access oxygen and absorb nutrients efficiently. When this occurs, it may be necessary to relocate the plant into a larger pot.
Prep your plant for repotting by giving it an adequate watering the night before; this will loosen its soil. At that point, gently pull out your plant from its old container by gently pulling on it rather than pulling. Doing this could damage stems and roots so it is best to slowly tip over its side with plant sliding out slowly from under it.
Repotting a ZZ plant should only require selecting a pot that is one size larger than its current one. Too-big containers could expose your rhizomes to drying out faster and become susceptible to fungi growth, potentially harming its survival in its new home. For optimal success in its new surroundings, ensure all loose soil from roots has been removed carefully while inspecting for any signs of damage or discordance between containers and roots.
ZZ plants contain underground water-storing rhizomes that draw up moisture when their soil dries out, and these large vessels pull in additional moisture when necessary - thus, needing very minimal watering; however, too much may result in their roots becoming waterlogged and eventually rotting away, depriving their host plant of vital oxygen.
Repotting is the key to keeping ZZs looking their best; this allows for the removal of compacted soil that lacks nutrients while giving the plant room to flourish.
Before repotting, provide your plant with ample water the night before and carefully remove its old soil and roots. Also inspect its rhizomes for signs of browning or damage as well as trim any damaged or brown roots that you find.
When repotting, select a container slightly larger than its predecessor to give roots and rhizomes ample room to spread out as they grow. Be sure to select one with ample drainage holes - fill it about 1/3 full of fresh potting mix before carefully positioning your plant into it.
