The ZZ plant can easily be the favorite plant for the indoor plant lovers, with its eye catching dark purple foliage. Owing to its unique color and ease of care, This variant which is scientifically better known as Zamioculas zamiifolia, makes itself a popular choice for seasonal gardeners as well as beginners.
One might wonder what’s so special about the ZZ plant, the answer to which is its astonishing resilience and its appealing look.
But what happens when these normally robust leaves start curling?
A question that has been asked many times by the ZZ plant owners, and answer to which revolves around quite a few factors, namely watering, fertilizer use, environment related stresses, such as light, pest, temperature variation.
Understanding ZZ Plant Leaves Curling
Curling leaves in ZZ plants can be perplexing, but understanding the underlying factors is key to effective care. Here are the primary reasons and their indicators:
Watering Issues
Overwatering: One common mistake is overwatering, they evolved to be drought resistant, which means their rhizomes store large amounts of water per se, therefore there is no need to water them too often.
Underwatering: On the other extreme, underwatering, when the soil is bone dry, the plant shows curled leaves and appears wilted.
Light Exposure
Despite being very dynamic when it comes to light, the optimal growth in order to keep the astonishing dark foliage is bright and indirect light.
This condition can be easily provided by putting the plant near a window through which the filtered light is passed and reaches the plant, though ambient light would be sufficient.
Temperature Stress
the optimal temperature for the ZZ plant is between 65-75°F (18-24°C), which is quite average. It is important to mention that this plant is not frost resistant and, therefore, needs protection, so avoid extreme cold and sudden thermal changes.
Despite being resistant to low humidity, providing humidity will be more beneficial. Since putting them close to air conditioners and heat sources creates dry conditions, it is not advised.
Pest Infestations
Pests such as spider mites or aphids can infest the plant from time to time. It is advised to treat the infestations as early as possible, by using insecticide soap or neem oil.
To find out about early infestation, you should check and inspect the plant regularly, which will lead to an early diagnosis and fewer complications.
Rootbound Conditions
This is often identified by roots peeking out of the pot’s drainage holes or circling the soil surface. This phenomenon occurs when the plant grows more than what the pot capacity allows, and the roots start to peek out of the bottom holes.
This means that the plant needs and seeks for more space for self nourishing, and as a result the leaves curl due to inadequate nutrient.
Improper Fertilization
Just like watering, fertilizing too little or too much can cause leaves to curl. When overfertilized, the soil accumulates salt in itself, causing leaf burn and curling, whereas under fertilized soil does not have any nutrient to offer to the plants roots.
You might also like: Easy ZZ Plants Care Guide: Thrive with Minimal Effort
Solutions and Prevention
Learning the symptoms and knowing the causes of leaves curling in ZZ plant can help the owners to act correctly put their foot in the right direction to sort things out for the betterment of their beloved green companion, and revert the situation.
1. Balancing Watering Practices
The ideal watering plan should be once every 2-3 weeks. However, this can be subject to change, and it’s up to the level of humidity and temperature of the ambient and the season.
During winter for instance the plant need less watering, since the plant shifts to its dormant phase.
2. Providing Optimal Lighting
Despite being very dynamic when it comes to light, the optimal growth in order to keep the astonishing dark foliage, is bright and indirect light. This condition can be easily provided by putting the plant near a window through which the filtered light is passed and reached the plant, though ambient light would be sufficient.
3. Maintaining Ideal Temperature
Ideally, it should be placed in a place with minimal sudden change in temperature, such as a room, rather than outside. The range is best to be set between 65-75°F (18-24°C). It is advised not to put it near the windows or air conditioners since a sudden change in the temperature can act as a thermal shock to the plant and can lead to leaves curling.
4. Pest and Disease Management
Pests such as spider mites or aphids can infest the plant from time to time. It is advised to treat the infestations as early as possible, by using insecticide soap or neem oil. To find out about early infestation, you should check and inspect the plant regularly, which will lead to an early diagnosis and fewer complications.
5. Repotting Rootbound Plants
This is indicated when you discover the roots peeking out from the draining holes of the pot, this usually occurs once every 2-3 years, and the solution is repotting.
6. Fertilization Techniques
Although this plant is not thirsty for fertilizers, occasional usage is advised. In order to prepare it, use a balanced water soluble one and dilute it to half the amount recommended. You can add the fertilizer once every 2 months during spring and summer while avoiding using it during autumn and winter since the plant in these periods does not grow much.
7. General Care Tips
clean and maintain the leaves clean for better photosynthesis, rotate the pot every once and while so the other light deprived leaves also received equal light too.
Advanced Care Tips
1. Soil Composition
The proper soil mixture and composition is an absolute necessity to keep your ZZ healthy and strong. The plant requires a type of soil that well-drains and aerates so that the water doesn’t log for too long, a condition.
2. Pruning and Maintenance
Pruning isn’t typical for the ZZ plant; however, any yellow or damaged leaves can be removed for appearance and health. To do so, a clean, sharp pair of scissors or pruning shears is needed to ensure clean cutting. Clean cutting is important to avoid leaving lesions that subject the plant to potential diseases.
3. Seasonal Adjustments
Be careful about the different demands in different seasons. Take watering, for example. During winter, the plant requires the lease, while it reaches its maximum during summer, not only due to its biology but also the humidity that changes, as well as lighting.
4. Humidity Considerations
Although the plant is not humidity sensitive too much, it is important to know that during winder the humidity can drop significantly and consider using a humidifier or placing a water tray near the plant to increase moisture in the air.
Personal Experience with ZZ Plants
Over the past years that I chose to own the ZZ plant, I learned a lot about it while cannot help but enjoy looking at the bizarre yet elegant dark foliage, a visually soothing yet a reflection of its toughness and adaptability.
Early days when I just added this plant to my collection, I was extra careful and used to treating it delicately, then I realized that as much the plant is captivating and mystical, so is it sturdy and hardy.
It proved to me that despite harsh treatment and sometimes occasional skipping care, it survives and doesn’t even flinch. Even so, it didn’t last too long before one of my first ZZ plants started showing some changes, like curling leaves.
I did thorough research on it and that narrowed down the causes into overwatering according to the history of my own ZZ plant. I then decided to reduce the episodes of watering, and as a rule of thumb, I would only water it once the soil on top turned dry. I followed other changes, such as lighting adjustments.
I moved it to an east-facing location, where it received gentler morning light, and the new growth was healthy and vibrant. Repotting completely transformed the fate of a rootbound ZZ plant I saved. Once I moved it to a bigger pot filled with soil that drains well, the plant began to produce fresh shoots, indicating its contentment and robust health.
Over time, I’ve come to realize that ZZ plants effectively convey their requirements through their foliage. Being observant of these signals and adapting care practices accordingly has been essential.
These ZZ plants have evolved from mere decorations in my household to companions in an enriching voyage of development and discovery.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Yellowing Leaves
More often than not, the culprit is overwatering. Make sure the soil is dry before watering it again.
Drooping Leaves
Two major causes of this is either overwatering or temperature shock when it changes to rapidly. Control the two causes by checking the soil and placing a humidifier or a tray of water next to the plant.
Brown Leaf Tips
The two major causes are low humidity or over fertilization of the soil. For dry rooms consider installing humidifier or placing a water filled tray next to the plant. And use more diluted fertilizer.
Slow Growth or No Growth
It is quite natural to observe slowed growth during winter, which is expected, but if the light is not adequate, the growth can be further suppressed, so do not deprive the plant of bright indirect light.
Pests
Isolate the plant and with the help of insecticidal soap or oil, wipe the leaves down regularly.
Here’s a source that might be interesting to read.
FAQs
How often should I water my ZZ plant to prevent leaf curling?
Typically, every 2-3 weeks. This varies depending on environmental factors like light and humidity. As a general rule, when the topsoil is dry, this means it’s about time.
Can too much sunlight cause my ZZ plant’s leaves to curl?
Yes, too much direct sunlight will cause sunburn spots as well as leaves curling, browning, and sunburnt spots development.
What should I do if I suspect my ZZ plant is rootbound?
Inspect the pot draining holes if you see roots growing out; it means rootbound is going on, and repotting is needed to give the plant more space to spread its roots.
Here’s a source that might be interesting to read.
