How often to water ZZ plant in winter, spring, summer, and autumn? Easy watering method for Zamioculcas Zamiifolia during the cold season

Often on the plots, there are ZZ plants, which are sensitive to irrigation. If not watered enough, Zamioculcas zamiifolia can be affected by various bacteria and insects.

Excessive watering can cause the death of the Zamioculcas zamiifolia bushes. Read more about how often to water the ZZ plant in winter and how long can you go without watering the ZZ plant in this article.

Watering frequency of ZZ plant

Often people wonder how often to water the ZZ plant in winter. To answer this question, you need to study the origin of culture. ZZ plants were first discovered in Eastern Africa and immediately began to be in demand among ordinary people.

In this region, completely dry and warm weather persists for a very long time. Precipitation is extremely rare. In the process of evolution, plants have acclimatized to the conditions; therefore, they have a rather large rhizome. Visually, it resembles the roots of a potato. Thanks to this, a lot of water and nutrients accumulate in the roots so that the ZZ plant can use them afterward.

Thanks to this, plants calmly survive the period of drought and expect rains. The frequency of watering should be such that the soil is completely dry, after which it is possible to pour water.

Some people prefer to water on a schedule. However, irrigation planning is not a good idea. It is better to monitor the soil moisture level and, if necessary, pour water. After all, the frequency of watering may depend on environmental factors.

If you notice while checking the soil that the ground is 2 inches or drier, grab a watering can and water the plants. It is enough to pierce the soil a little with your finger. If the ground does not stick, and the finger remains dry, you should water the plant.

If you have doubts about ground drying, it is better to wait a few days before watering. Remember that too little water is better for ZZ plant health than too much. Thanks to the developed roots, the bushes can do without water for a long time.

If you don’t want to constantly check the ground with your finger, you can stock up on a special soil moisture meter. It allows you to accurately determine what is the water content in the soil. This greatly simplifies the process of creating a watering schedule.

Impact on the chart: factors

The watering schedule may vary depending on the region and environmental factors.

Seasons

In summer, leaf plates enter the stage of active growth. This helps start the process of photosynthesis. Therefore, plants need a lot of water. Watering should be carried out at intervals of 15 days. After all, the plant abundantly absorbs moisture, and it begins to evaporate from the soil.

If the temperature in your area is at the level of 80 degrees Fahrenheit, it is better to water at intervals of 1 week. This compensates for the abundant evaporation of moisture.

You can often hear the question, how long can you go without watering the ZZ plant? Plants need to be watered at intervals of 3 weeks during the cold season. After all, the plant is at rest. Due to low temperatures, the ability to absorb moisture deteriorates. If you water the plants every week, you can provoke root rot, which leads to the death of the bush.

ZZ plants need to be watered only if the leaf blades begin to wrinkle or turn yellow in the spring. If you live in a hot region, it makes sense to water according to the degree of drying of the ground.

When the flowering process begins, ZZ plants that grow in open areas consume more water. However, this does not mean that you need to pour water frequently. This is best done when it is 2 inches of soil dry.

Plant size

It is important to consider what size plant you are growing. As you know, compact and large bushes need different amounts of water. The larger the plant, the more water you need to add. This is due to the increased physiological needs.

Temperature

It is quite important to focus on air temperature. It should be between 55 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature drops below 55 degrees, watering is rare. After all, the activity of the plant decreases.

If the temperature starts to rise above 80 degrees, watering should be done every 5-7 days. After all, moisture actively evaporates from the ground.

Humidity parameters

ZZ plants prefer 40-50% humidity. If the humidity of the air falls, the evaporation of water will be more abundant. Therefore, you need to constantly monitor the level of humidity. If necessary, a humidifier may be required.

If the humidity is high, reduce the frequency of watering. The soil must not be kept constantly wet. If the humidity drops, you will have to water the bushes more often so that moisture is not lost.

Soil type

As you know, plants need to be planted in the right soil. ZZ plants need to be planted in soil that is intended for planting cacti. It should contain perlite, coarse sand, and compost. This helps prevent waterlogging.

If the water passes well through the soil, watering should be carried out often, every 1.5-2 weeks. Watering can be done every 3 weeks during the cold season. The exact timing depends on how actively the soil will dry out.

Tank type

It is recommended to plant ZZ plants in a container with pores. The best solution is terracotta pots, which provide a better balance between air and water. They prevent waterlogging.

If planting is carried out in ceramic or plastic pots, drainage is poor. Therefore, it is necessary to constantly monitor the degree of drying of the soil.

Tank size

If you plant ZZ plants in large pots that fit a lot of soil, then you have to water them often because the roots need to absorb moisture. Small pots need to be watered in small quantities because it is easier for the root system to get to the water.

The optimal amount of water

It is impossible to accurately determine the volumes of water that are required. It all depends on the size of the container and the bush itself, as well as on the type of soil and season. On average, ZZ plants need to be watered once every 2-3 weeks to keep the soil moist.

Plants don’t like a lot of water. If you water them in small quantities, you risk provoking the death of the bush. Water ZZ plants thoroughly so that the excess mineral salts are washed out, but the required amount is not accumulated. It also contributes to sufficient moisture.

Easy watering method

If you are thinking about watering, you should follow a few recommendations, namely:

  1. Slowly pour in water so that it is absorbed. Do not use sprinklers because water gets on the leaves, which can cause the development of diseases.
  2. After a few minutes, add more water until it runs out of the drainage holes.
  3. After a quarter of an hour, remove excess water from the bottom tray.

As you can see, you need to water your ZZ plant so that a quarter of the poured water flows from the bottom of the pot. This is a guarantee that the water sufficiently moistens the soil throughout the tank.

Periodically, it is required to check how effective the drainage in the pots is. Often the soil becomes dense, and the drainage hole begins to clog. If you are not sure about the correct pot, you should transplant the plants into containers with better drainage to avoid over-watering.

Which irrigation option to choose: bottom or top

As you know, there are several methods to water your ZZ plant – upper and lower. Most often, gardeners use top watering. Its essence lies in the fact that water is poured onto the surface of the soil in containers. This irrigation option is simple and effective. However, if the water pressure is very large, there is a risk of damage to the leaves.

Also, strong pressure will damage the soil of healthy ZZ plant, so you have to level and ram it. Bottom watering is when the containers are placed in a small bowl into which water has already been poured. This encourages moisture to be absorbed through the drainage holes. Watering is completed as soon as the top layers of the soil are moistened.

Yes, this watering is time-consuming. However, with its help, you saturate the soil as best as possible and prevent damage to the leaf plates. ZZ plant is not whimsical, so it can be watered using the overhead watering method.

In this case, the water washes out various mineral salts and deposits from the soil, so they will not accumulate and harm the bushes. If you are not sure about the quality of the top watering, and you are afraid that the water will simply drain into the bottom pan, you can try the bottom watering, then evaluate the situation.

This allows you to understand how well you water your ZZ plant. It is possible that you have to do a plant transplant or soil refreshment. However, this has a positive effect on the longevity of the culture.

Summer or winter watering

As you know, ZZ plants need varying degrees of watering, depending on the time of year. This is because the growing season is changing. The concept of the growing season is usually understood as the period when the temperature and humidity indicators become ideal for the plant to grow.

Often, for most plants, the growing season lasts from spring to autumn. Often people ask the question, how do you take care of a ZZ plant in the winter? You need to understand that indoor plants go into a dormant state in winter because the growing season slows down due to the cold.

Even if you constantly maintain the right conditions for growth, nothing can guarantee a year-round growing season. It is important to understand that dormancy is extremely important for a plant. After all, they do not constantly grow. At rest, all energy is directed to strengthening the roots.

When ZZ plants are dormant, they need a lot of water. After all, the bushes are actively gaining growth. The soil completely dries out much faster between watering. That is why you will have to monitor its moisture content every few days.

Often gardeners wonder, will a ZZ plant survive a winter? Yes, the ZZ plant survives the winter because it is at rest. The soil stays moist longer. Watering the ZZ plant may be carried out at intervals of 3-4 weeks. When scheduling watering, you need to take into account the time of year.

Signs of lack of moisture

Quite often, people wonder, how do you know when a ZZ plant needs water? Several signs indicate that you need to water your ZZ plant.

Dryness of the top two inches of potting soil of the ZZ plant

It is necessary to pierce the potting soil of the fingers a little, deepening it 2 inches. If you experience some moisture, then watering is not yet required. You can also test the bottom drainage holes with your finger. If even one drainage hole is dry, add some water.

Only a moisture meter provides accurate soil moisture readings. You can find such a device in any store at an affordable price. It is necessary to stick the tip of the device to 4/5 of the depth of the potting soil. Wait about a minute, then check the humidity readings that appear on the display.

Drooping leaf blades with brown edges

If you do not water your ZZ plant for a month or more, the leaves begin to droop. ZZ plant leaves may also be crunchy or have brown edges. This indicates that the culture is dehydrated.

Often, gardeners notice yellow spots on the leaves, which then begin to occupy the entire plant. This indicates an excess of water. Therefore, before the next watering, the soil must be dried.

The lightness of the pot

As you know, water moistens the soil, and makes it heavier. If you lift the pot and feel it is too light, chances are the soil is not getting enough moisture. This is an alternative test method that does not involve poking the ground with your finger.

The ZZ plant becomes heavier as it grows. Therefore, you do not need to think that a heavy pot means moist soil. Everything needs to be checked carefully before watering.

Dry roots

As you know, the dehydration of the ZZ plant begins precisely with the root system. The last signs of dehydration can be seen on the leaves and stems. If the roots are completely dry and brittle, you should put them in a container of water for several hours.

When to water your ZZ plant?

Watering ZZ plants makes sense when the soil is dry. The test can be carried out using a special device or with your fingers. Although the ZZ plant can survive the lack of moisture for several days, you should constantly maintain a uniform level of soil moisture.

It must not be excessively wet, because this can cause root rot. You have to water your ZZ plant in the morning or evening. If you prefer morning watering, do it between 6 am and 10 am. In the evening, the optimal time is 16-18 hours.

It is important to water your ZZ plant when there is no active sun. After all, it can enhance the process of evaporation of moisture. If you stick to the optimal timing, water can penetrate the roots and not evaporate.

Is groundwater allowed?

Bottom watering is the best option because water does not fall on the stem or leaf plates. Therefore, pathogens can not develop. Bottom watering is when you need to collect water in a saucepan or deep plate.

Place the pot with the ZZ plant in the container and add water until the level reaches the middle of the pot. The soil absorbs moisture due to capillary action. Wait a while for the soil to absorb moisture. Then remove the pot from the container, and wait until all the water has drained.

After you need to properly put the flower pot. It is better to do this in an elevated area, where there are small lighting parameters.

Why should ZZ plants not be waterlogged?

This type of ZZ plant is in great demand due to its unpretentiousness. However, crops cannot withstand over-watering. It has a more negative effect on the development of indoor plants than exposure to ultraviolet radiation, temperature changes, or a lack of nutrients in the soil.

If you water the ZZ plant bushes too much, you will kill them faster. When you pour in too much water, the roots of the ZZ plant become overwhelmed with excess moisture. Over time, the ground will become more like a swamp. The ZZ plant will not receive enough oxygen or nutrients.

Often, excessive watering provokes root rot, which then begins to affect the entire bush. Overwatering is an obvious action when you often pour a lot of water into the soil. Often, excessive watering is the result of improper drainage in the pot. Root problems can also be due to improper soil or capacity.

For the quality of drainage to be at the highest level, several requirements should be followed. First, you should pay attention to the soil that is used for planting. Choose a light and porous soil that will absorb moisture and allow excess to pass out.

This allows the soil to dry out between watering without any difficulties. Many gardeners plant ZZ plants in succulent soil with a bit of pumice and regular earth. This ensures excellent drainage quality.

When choosing containers, give preference to those models that are distinguished by the presence of drainage holes. This allows excess moisture to escape. Some believe that adding pumice or gravel to the bottom of the pot can replace drainage. However, this will cause the death of the bush.

It is important to choose the right pot size for ZZ plants. If the containers are too large, you need to use a large amount of soil. Because of this, the water does not absorb and the potting mixes completely dry out faster, which makes it difficult to care for the plant.

Saving ZZ plants from root rot

If you have concerns about the fact that you have poured in a large amount of water, the likelihood of developing root rot is high. This disease occurs if you water ZZ plants often and in large quantities.

It is urgent to cut off the infected areas of the roots and treat the rest with fungicides. After that, the indoor plants need to be transplanted into new soil and a new pot.

Results

As you can see, watering ZZ plants is not difficult if you pay attention to a few basic factors. It is important to carefully monitor the condition of the bush, as well as the degree of soil moisture. Watering should be at regular intervals so that the indoor plants are not affected by root rot and do not die. Wonder why won’t your peppers turn red, read the article

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