How to Save A ZZ Plant from Root Rot

Root rot is a common issue for ZZ plants, often caused by overwatering or poor drainage. Recognizing the symptoms early is the first step to saving a ZZ plant from Root Rot.

ZZ Plants, scientifically known as Zamioculcas Zamiifolia, have gained popularity as low-maintenance plants, making them a favorite among plant enthusiasts. These resilient plants can adapt to various environments, thriving in both well-lit spaces and low-light offices.

However, these indoor plants often suffer from a common problem known as root rot, which mainly affects the roots of the ZZ plant. 

This post sharing How to Save a ZZ Plant from Root Rot contains affiliate links which means that if you make a purchase after clicking a link, I will receive a small portion of the sale at no additional cost to you.

Can ZZ Plants Recover from Root Rot?

Yes, your ZZ plant can recover but detecting root rot early is crucial. The challenge is that the initial symptoms manifest beneath the surface of the soil, often escaping our notice until the problem has escalated.

As the name suggests, Root Rot refers to the decay of roots from persistent overwatering or the presence of fungi in your houseplant’s soil.

Fungal diseases can lay dormant for extended periods, activating once the plant receives too much water.

Once awakened, the fungi take control of the ZZ Plant’s root system, resulting in deterioration. Both scenarios, whether caused by overwatering or fungi, lead to the demise of your plant if not promptly addressed.

How to Prevent Root Rot

The easiest way to save a ZZ plant from root rot is to avoid the problem in the first place. Following these basic practices will give you the best chance at preventing root rot in your houseplant. 

• Drainage Holes: Ensure your pot has proper drainage holes to prevent water accumulation and mitigate the risk of root rot at the base of the plant by allowing excess water to escape.
• New Pot: Consider repotting your ZZ Plant into a new pot with good drainage, facilitating a healthier root system.
• Indirect Light: Provide the right balance of indirect light to support your ZZ Plant’s recovery process.
• Healthy Roots: Trim affected roots and dead leaves with a sharp knife free of cross-contamination, ensuring clean cuts. 
• Fresh Soil: Remove old soil and introduce fresh, well-draining new soil during repotting.
• Low Light Conditions: Adjust your ZZ Plant’s location to balance light conditions and prevent overwatering, especially in settings with little light.
• Water Less: It’s a good idea to allow a longer period between watering sessions to ensure the soil surface dries out adequately.

During the growing season, ZZ plants may face challenges such as water loss, especially in high temperatures. Be sure to not deprive your plant of watering to prevent root rot. It’s essential to maintain a careful balance in the watering routine.

The use of peat moss in the soil mix can contribute to water retention, but it’s crucial to strike the right balance.

Too much organic matter, including peat moss, combined with high temperatures, can create conditions conducive to root rot.

Therefore, a well-draining soil mix with the right organic components is key to ensuring optimal ZZ plant health, particularly during periods of increased temperature and active growth.

How to Save an Overwatered ZZ Plant

When tackling root rot in your overwatered ZZ Plant, a systematic approach is crucial.

Step 1: Remove the Plant from Its Container

Gently extract the plant from its container, meticulously clearing excess soil from roots and rhizomes.

Step 2: Check for Signs of Root Rot

Examine the roots for discoloration and mushiness. Prune any rotten roots to promote healthy growth.

Step 3: Adjust Your Watering Routine

Prevent future overwatering by ensuring that the top inch or two of soil is dry before watering. Use a moisture meter or manual checks for accuracy.

Step 4: Improve Soil Drainage

Overwatering issues are exacerbated by poor drainage. Use a well-draining soil mix (half regular potting soil and half cactus or succulent mix) in a container with drainage holes.

Signs of Root Rot in ZZ Plants

The primary manifestation of root rot in ZZ Plants is evident through discoloration. When the roots are compromised, ZZs lose their vibrant deep green hue.

The healthy foliage will take on a new look transitioning the base of the leaf from pale green to yellow leaves with brown tips before withering and falling off.

Another observable symptom of root rot is the softening or drooping of ZZ stems. While some natural drooping occurs as the plant expands, widespread softness and drooping across the entire stem should warrant an investigation beneath the soil for potential root rot.

In addition to these visible signs, keep an eye out for changes in the rest of the plant as well as ZZ plant behavior, such as stunted new growth.

These indicators may signal underlying issues with root health, necessitating a closer examination of the root system. 

Examine the Soil for Indicators of Root Rot

In a healthy state, roots exhibit a white and crisp appearance, but when affected by root rot, they turn gray, brown, or black, adopting a slimy or mushy texture.

Roots showing signs of discoloration and softness on your ZZ Plant are likely victims of root rot. 

You may even begin to notice a foul odor as a clear sign of root rot is a rotten smell stemming from your plant’s soil. 

If the surface of the plant remains odorless, yet an unpleasant scent becomes apparent upon removing it from its container, a root rot issue may be at play.

Prompt action is crucial if any of these symptoms manifest in your ZZ’s root system.

Examine the Roots

To confirm the presence of root rot and gauge its extent, a thorough examination of your plant’s roots is necessary. Rest assured, this process is relatively straightforward.

When inspecting the roots, it’s essential to handle your ZZ Plant with care. Although resilient, ZZs can sustain damage if handled too roughly. Avoid forcefully pulling the plant from its container, as this may lead to breakage or harm.

Instead of an upward pull, invert your container and gently slide the plant out, providing support to the main portion with your other hand.

If the plant resists, tapping or squeezing the container’s sides or using a butter knife to loosen the edges before attempting again can help.

For easier access to the roots, rinse the root system under warm water in the sink, removing as much soil as possible cautiously to avoid harm.

If the roots exhibit a brown, gray, mushy, or slimy texture, as opposed to the desired white and crisp appearance, root rot is likely present.

Additionally, assess the condition of the ZZ Plant’s rhizomes, resembling bulbs, which function as a reservoir for water and nutrients.

Healthy rhizomes should display a white and crisp texture, while a brown or mushy appearance indicates root rot damage.

Guidelines for Revitalizing ZZ Plants Affected by Root Rot

To enhance the chances of your ZZ Plant rebounding from root rot, substantial pruning of both the plant and its roots is imperative.

The outlined steps below offer a systematic approach to salvage your plant. It’s crucial to acknowledge that despite dedicated efforts, the revival of ZZs may not always be guaranteed. Depending on the extent of root system damage, the success of saving your plant may vary.

Step 1: Extract Your ZZ Plant from Its Pot and Cleanse the Roots

When dislodging your ZZ from its container, follow the best practices as I mentioned earlier. Be sure to exercise caution to avoid damaging or fracturing the plant by handling it gently. Support the plant’s stems with one hand and invert the container, easing the plant out. If stubborn, consider using a butter knife along the inner rim of the pot to facilitate removal from the old pot.

Once your ZZ is out, optimize your view of the roots by meticulously removing soil. Employ your fingers to delicately cleanse the root system under lukewarm water. With most of the soil removed, you’ll be better equipped for the subsequent task – pruning deteriorating roots.

Step 2: How to Save a ZZ Plant from Root Rot with Trimming

Upon inspecting your root system and identifying roots in shades of black, brown, mushy, or slimy, prompt pruning is essential to enhance your ZZ’s chances of survival. When engaging in any pruning activity, ensure your tools are both sharp and sanitized.

To prune your ZZ’s roots effectively, employ a sharp knife or scissors to cut any unhealthy roots, even if this entails removing a significant portion of the root growth. Remember, once a root succumbs, revival is impossible. Eliminating dying roots maximizes the likelihood of fostering new growth, so be sure you remove enough roots to eradicate the problem.

Step 3: Repotting a ZZ Plant

After completing the root and rhizome pruning, avoid immediate replanting in the same pot. Residual fungus in the pot can reignite the issue you’re addressing. It is also advised to thoroughly clean any tools that have come in contact with root rot. If you are using the same pot, I recommend using a mild bleach solution with a ratio of one part bleach to ten parts water to clean it.

Thoroughly scrub the pot and allow it to dry completely. It’s crucial to pot ZZ Plants in containers equipped with drainage holes at the base. If the original pot lacks drainage, it might have contributed to the root rot problem. ZZ soil requires proper drainage to avoid prolonged dampness, a common outcome in pots without holes, leading to root rot. It is advised to transplant into a new porous pot with proper drainage.

Step 4: Renew Soil and Replant

After pruning and cleaning the pot, proceed to replant your ZZ. Discard all previous potting soil, refraining from reusing any leftovers. Especially if root rot results from fungus, reusing the same soil may perpetuate the issue or hinder your ZZ’s root system from recovering.

Opt for a well-draining soil mix to promote efficient water drainage. A blend of half-regular potting soil and half cactus/succulent mix is often suitable for mature ZZ plants.

Once your ZZ is in its new container with the appropriate soil, lightly water it. Additionally, perform minor pruning on the upper part of the plant. Be sure to dispose of the leaf cuttings and stem cuttings from the affected plant. Once you learn how to save a ZZ plant from root rot, you should do your best to prevent this problem from spreading.

Step 5: Trim Away Dying Foliage

Eliminate yellow or brown leaves on your ZZ plant promptly, as they won’t recover. Gently pinch or pull the affected leaves close to the stem. Alternatively, use clean and sharp scissors for pruning.

After the removal of dead stems and leaves, place your ZZ in a shaded spot with indirect sunlight for a few weeks to optimize its recovery from the stress.

Step 6: Pruning for Severe Root Rot

In cases where root rot has extensively damaged your ZZ’s roots and rhizomes, taking decisive action is crucial, although full recovery is unlikely. Despite the challenges, it’s worth exerting your best effort. To redirect the plant’s energy for regrowth, trim away soft or slightly unhealthy stems, reducing the plant to approximately one-third of its original size.

Clean your scissors between root and stem pruning to avoid potential fungus transfer. Use rubbing alcohol or a mild bleach solution (one part bleach to ten parts water) for cleaning.

Fertilizing ZZ Plants with Root Rot

If you typically fertilize your ZZ plants, it’s crucial to abstain until signs of new growth emerge. Fertilizer application can harm sensitive roots, particularly those recently pruned during the recovery process from root rot.

Overwatering likely caused your plant’s root rot issue. Whether due to excessive watering or inappropriate soil/container choices, addressing the root cause is essential to prevent future problems.

Remember, ZZ plants only require watering when the top inch of soil is thoroughly dry.

These resilient plants can withstand extended periods without water so it is best to not worry about your plant receiving enough water or fertilizer during the recovery process. 

ZZ Plant Propagation

If the aforementioned steps fail to revive your ZZ plant, consider propagating healthy stems and leaves to establish a new plant.

Be aware that ZZ plants have a slow growth rate, and it may take months to a year before visible surface growth occurs, as rhizomes form underground before producing new roots, new shoots, and leaves or stems.

For a healthy ZZ leaf, gently pull it off the stem and plant new plants at an angle in quick-draining potting soil. Be patient, as it could take up to a year for visible progress.

For a healthy ZZ stem, clip it at the base, let it be callous for a day or two, then insert the tip into a water-filled bottle.

After two or three months, roots and a rhizome will develop. Once the roots reach an inch or two, transplant new ZZ plants into the soil.

Since not every leaf or stem guarantees successful rooting, taking multiple cuttings increases your chances.

If you’re uncertain about saving your ZZ from root rot, extract as many healthy leaves and stems for propagation as you can.

More Plant Care Tips

• ZZ Plants Care Guides & Troubleshooting
• Best Fertilizer for ZZ Plant – Zamioculcas Zamiifolia
• How to Water a ZZ Plant – Zamioculcas Watering Guide
• Why is My ZZ Plant Turning Yellow? 21 Solutions to Fix
• How to Make the Best ZZ Plant Soil Mix Recipe

I hope you have learned how to save a ZZ plant from root rot and were able to rescue your ZZ plant.

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