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ZZ plants have become extremely popular indoor plants to decorate both homes and offices alike. This may be because they are easy plants to tend for, and they don’t die easily.
If you’ve noticed that your ZZ plant has stopped growing, there’s no need to panic. There are a few factors that may have caused its slow growth rate.
Why Is My ZZ Plant Not Growing? Your ZZ plant may have stopped growing due to several factors, including the time of year, your watering schedule, inadequate lighting, temperatures that are too hot or cold, humidity levels, the type of soil it has been planted in, and whether or not you fertilize your plant.
By paying close attention to your ZZ plant, you can determine why it has stopped growing.
And luckily, there are easy ways to fix it! We’ve got a few tips and tricks on how to get your ZZ plant growing again – and how to make it grow even faster than before.
How Fast Do ZZ Plants Grow?
Zamioculcas zamiifolia – affectionately known as ZZ plants by plant parents and enthusiasts – are capable of sprouting shoots with a monthly growth rate of around six to twelve inches in length.
ZZ plants usually generate between six to eight stems per year and can take anywhere from three to five years to grow into fully matured plants.
The length of time it takes for your ZZ plant to grow largely depends on a few different growth factors, like its watering schedule, light exposure, and whether or not the plant has enough nutrients to facilitate growth.
What Should You Expect From ZZ Plants?
If your ZZ plant is generating new stems, it’s a positive sign that your plant is content with its care.
But, if your plant hasn’t grown or produced any new shoots in a while, you may need to determine what it needs to improve its growth rate.
You need to remember that ZZ plants grow both above and below their soil surface. These amazing plants have a subterranean rhizome which is a type of stem that has been altered to further growth.
The subterranean rhizome generates new stems and roots to help your plant grow to full maturity over time.
If your ZZ plant has good growing conditions, you can expect it to produce new stems throughout its yearly growth cycle.
Why Has My ZZ Plant Stopped Growing? Causes:
If your ZZ plant has stopped growing and producing shoots, you can determine the cause by assessing several factors.
These factors include the time of year, watering, light, temperature, humidity, the soil type, and any fertilizers you may or may not use on your plant.
Time Of Year
ZZ plants grow better in warmer months, so they tend to grow much faster in spring and summer.
Their growth can slow down considerably during fall and winter, and so if your plant has stopped growing, it may be because of the season.
If this is the case, you don’t have to worry! Your ZZ plant will more than likely begin to grow at a normal rate once spring and summer roll around.
Watering
Your ZZ plant may have stopped growing due to under or overwatering. Without enough water, your plant’s growth rate will begin to slow down and can halt altogether if the soil becomes too dry.
Similarly, overwatered ZZ plants can develop root rot. If left untreated, root rot can cause your plant to wither and die.
You can check your plant for root rot by looking out for telltale signs like drooping leaves or stems, a foul odor coming from your plant, or mold growing around the base of your plant.
You may also notice a change in color in the stems or leaves of your plant. The color will usually change from a bright, luscious green to a dull grey, brown, or even black when root rot has had time to spread and kill off your plant.
Not Enough Light
Many plant owners buy ZZ plants because they are low-light plants and can therefore be placed in almost any room of your home. But low light doesn’t mean no light.
If the light in your ZZ plant’s environment is too dim, its growth may start to slow down.
The light levels may be directly linked to the time of year as well. As we have mentioned, ZZ plants grow much slower – if they grow at all – during darker, colder months.
Temperature
ZZ plants need a comfortable environment with a temperature range between 55 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
If your ZZ plant is placed in a room with excessive drafts, too much heat from lighting or heaters, or even air conditioners that produce cold air, you may notice that your plant is struggling to keep up with its usual growth rate.
Humidity
ZZ plants can comfortably grow within normal indoor humidity levels, which is generally around 40%.
If you have placed your plant in your bathroom, kitchen, or even your laundry room, the humidity levels may be much too high for your plant.
Alternately, if there is not enough humidity for your plant, it will begin to dry out. You can increase humidity around your plant by purchasing a humidifier or placing your plant in a humid-rich room with constant ventilation to keep the humidity levels steady.
Type Of Soil
ZZ plants can be quite picky when it comes to their soil preferences. Choosing the right soil type is necessary because the wrong type can cause ZZ plant growth complications.
The soil should have much bigger pores than traditional potting soil to allow water to pass through.
If the soil comprises too much clay, it will prevent the water from draining and keep it wet for longer periods of time. This can cause the same type of complications as overwatering.
If your ZZ plant is currently potted in soil that feels tacky, you may be using the wrong type of soil for your plant.
Fertilizer
Fertilizer gives your ZZ plant a variety of different nutrients that it needs to thrive.
If you aren’t giving your plant any fertilizer, or you’re giving your plant the wrong fertilizer or doing it too infrequently, your plant won’t be able to grow.
Although potting soil is usually sold with nutrients already mixed into it, the plant will slowly begin to use these nutrients over time.
Once your plant has used all of the available nutrients, it is up to you to provide another source to keep your ZZ plant happy, healthy, and, most importantly – growing.
Tips To Get Your ZZ Plant To Grow Again
If your ZZ plant has stopped growing, there are a few different ways to help it grow to its full size.
Just remember that it’s natural for your plant to grow slower during the colder months, so you won’t see drastic results straight away.
You should keep your ZZ plant cared for, though, until spring and summer arrive – then you can watch your ZZ plant thrive!
Give Your ZZ Plant Enough Light
ZZ plants are an extremely popular indoor plant, but you can’t expect them to grow without enough light.
While these plants tolerate low light better than some other indoor plants, they can’t go without light for too long.
Instead, place your plant inside your home or office under bright, indirect sunlight or in a brightly lit room. Be careful not to leave your plant in direct sunlight, though, as this will burn and damage its leaves.
Use The Right Soil For Your ZZ Plant
ZZ plants prefer soil with good drainage. The best type of soil for a ZZ plant is a high-quality potting soil mix.
You can create the mix yourself by using a small amount of succulent soil in conjunction with the potting soil. The ratio should be around 1 part succulent soil to 3 parts potting soil (1:3).
It’s not enough for the soil to have good drainage, though. The pot should also have a few drainage holes to ensure that your plant isn’t sitting in too much water.
Change Your Watering Schedule
ZZ plants have rhizomes that grow beneath the surface of the soil. These rhizomes tend to retain water, which means that your ZZ plant needs to be watered less frequently than other indoor plants. ZZ plants need water around once to twice a month.
If your plant is exposed to a lot of light or you live in a hotter climate, you may need to increase your watering schedule to once every week and a half.
Use Fertilizer
ZZ plants are able to grow without fertilizer, but your plant’s growth rate may be significantly slower without the nutrients that fertilizer can provide.
By fertilizing your plant regularly during its growing season, your plant will be able to grow much bigger in a shorter period of time.
It’s important to note that you should only fertilize your plant after watering, and you should only do it around once a month throughout its growing season.
How Can I Make My ZZ Plant Grow Faster?
If your ZZ plant is growing too slowly, there are a few ways to speed the process up. The first way is to use fertilizer, as described above. You can use a 20-20-20 diluted fertilizer to achieve the best results.
Other methods include pruning and repotting your plant.
Keep an eye on your ZZ plant. Chances are, you’ll normally notice a few yellow leaves here and there. You may also notice a few overgrown stems. By pruning your ZZ plant regularly, it will be able to grow much faster.
You can also repot your plant. One of the biggest reasons that ZZ plants grow so slowly is that they tend to outgrow their plants. This makes them root-bound.
If your ZZ plant is root bound, it means that there is no more space for it to grow within its current home. So, by repotting your ZZ plant each spring, it may begin to thank you by growing much faster than before!
ZZ Plant Not Growing Conclusion
ZZ plant care is as easy as 1, 2, 3. These gorgeous plants require very little care, and by learning how to keep your ZZ plant happy, you can keep yours alive for years to come.
If you’ve noticed your ZZ plant has stopped growing, our tips and tricks will have you on your way to restore your plant to its former beauty.