Question
QUESTION: Hi - when your ZZ needs to be transplanted what size pot should it be granduated to and what type of soil - I have Miracle Grow Potting mix, but am thinking it should have more sand or perlite added to it?  thank you

ANSWER: Hi Sally,

Whenever you repot a plant it should always be to a pot one size larger and no more than that. More importantly, you should know that unnecessary repotting is the single most common plantcare mistake. Most plants should not be repotted until they are so potbound that they require thorough watering every 2-3 days. Because ZZ Plants are very drought resistant and can go longer than most plants without water, it is rare that they need a larger pot.

You are correct that ZZ Plants should have extra porous material added - about 1 part of perlite or sand to 3 parts of standard potting mix.

I have written articles on repotting and on ZZ Plant care that I will e-mail to you or anyone else who sends a request to me at [email protected].

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

If this information has been helpful, please click the Rate Volunteer bar below and enter a rating and nomination for me. I am a volunteer on this site so Ratings are the only compensation I receive for answering plant questions.

Need more information? Visit my website at www.HorticulturalHelp.com
or email me at [email protected] or call me at 917-887-8601 EST

Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: the re-potting of a ZZ plant, I think is necessary because the plant - they look like bulbs - is pushing at the sides of the pot making it more oval than round - big assumption on my part, but I THINK I'm right - does this sound right?  I don't want to loose this plant as they are hard to come by in my area - upstate NY

Answer
Hi Sally,

Thanks for the top rating and nomination. Much appreciated!

The safest option is to keep your ZZ Plant in its existing (albeit distorted) pot and increase the watering to every 7-10 days. This is the safe choice because there are always some inherent risks in repotting, even with plants that definitely need larger pots.

Yours is on the edge of staying as is or moving to a pot one size larger. If you choose to repot, make sure the pot is only an inch wider and deeper. Do not put 'drainage material' in the bottom of the pot and do not add potting mix on top of the existing rootball. Use a porous potting mix as I described previously. After repotting, water thoroughly and then wait until the soil is dry nearly all the way through the pot before watering again.

The greatest risk in repotting is not understanding that the extra soil added will retain moisture longer so you will have to increase the interval between waterings to avoid root rot. Failure to make this adjustment can be fatal.

If you are conscientious, I am sure either approach will work successfully for you.

~Will