Zamioculcas what soil is the best?
ZZ plantdoes best in soil that retains a little moisture, but at the same time is highly permeable. It prefers a soil mix with a slightly acidic PH, ranging from 6.0 to 7.0. A mixture of soil that contains two parts universal and earth and 1 part sand and 1 part perlite is perfect for growing zamioculcas.
ZZ plant – soil is the most important element of cultivation
Certainly, zz plant has already settled in your home. Like any plant, it needs repotting from time to time. It puts out new leaves, develops, and the pot it grows in becomes too small. Then it’s time to repot or multiply your zamioculcas.
Zamioculcasis a hardy plant and can survive in various soils. Nevertheless, it is essential for her health that she has good drainage.
Most types of soil that you can buy in the store will work perfectly well. However, to ensure better permeability, it is worth mixing 1 part of cactus or perlite soil with three parts of soil.
These tips may seem confusing, but I promise you that nothing bad will happen to your zz plant. There are different types of soil on the market, and their producers promise different results. You don’t have to take their word for it. After all, that’s what you have this manual for, to deal with it.
Read on and I will show you how to choose the right soil for zamioculcas or prepare it yourself.
The role of soil in the cultivation of zz plant
The earth contains minerals and organic matter that allow the plant to grow. ZZ plant also absorbs vitamins from the ground. The soil affects the moisture and oxygen content available to the roots of the plant. So you see that the soil must have the right composition or the plant will not be able to grow properly. These elements are crucial in providing the best environment for zamioculcas.
In addition, you must remember that plants are sensitive to other conditions that occur in the soil, such as pH levels. There is no room for discussion here. You need to create conditions in the ground for the plant that is as close to natural as possible. In this way, you will create the foundation for proper growth.
What kind of soil does zz plant need?
ZZ plant , like other succulents, is not too picky when it comes to soil. In this regard, it behaves similarly to echeveria, aloe vera or guinea sansevieria. Remember, we’re talking about one of the most resilient houseplants on the market here. If it can survive in a dark corner or a shopping mall, it will do just fine in almost any condition.
Nevertheless, there is a big difference between surviving and thriving. And yet, each of us wants his zamioculcas to grow and please our eye with new leaves.
The best soil for zamioculcas is a well-draining mixture. It should have a mixture of organic earth, perlite with an admixture of coal. The use of such a mixture is a recipe for preparing the perfect soil for this succulent. The most important thing in preparing the soil is to make it as permeable as possible.
Remember that zamioculcas is used to difficult conditions. This means that it can survive periods of drought, but it is very bad at dealing with excess moisture. He’s just genetically unsuited to it. If the soil you use is too compact and holds moisture, the roots of zz plant will start to rot. It can also happen that zz turns yellow due to the wrong type of soil.
Soil for zz plant – how to prepare it yourself
Self-preparation of soil for zamioculcas has many advantages . First of all, you can be sure that the mixture you prepare will be similar to natural. The mixture I am talking about contains several ingredients, so let me start by describing each of them separately.
universal earth
This is the basic element for preparing the soil for zz plant. The best will be light, aerated, and containing organic substances and additives.
Peat
I have excellent properties that help the plant grow. It leads to the retention of moisture and allows the storage of nutrients. At the same time, it provides good aeration.
Gardening sand
This special type of sand usually consists of crushed stones such as quartz, granite or sandstone.
coconut
It is made from coconut shells that are crushed and crushed. It has a similar texture to peat but gets a little more compact over time.
Fine pine bark
These are tiny pieces of trees such as cones or bark from mixed together and usually ground. The bark has a high percentage of lignin, which means it retains its shape for a long time. It perfectly copes with compaction and ensures proper soil aeration.
perlite
It’s a kind of expanded rock that looks very similar to Styrofoam. It does not absorb water, thanks to which it provides great aeration, guaranteeing proper drainage for the plant. It is often used as a soil additive that does not increase its total weight. It’s quite light.
Now that you understand a little about the ingredients of zz plant soil, let me show you how to prepare it. The mixture I propose provides adequate aeration and excellent drainage. At the same time, it retains enough water for the plant to keep it properly hydrated.
Here are the ingredients of the mixture:
– universal soil mix of your choice (2 parts)
– gardening sand (one part)
– perlite or coconut or bark (one part)
How to mix the ingredients together to prepare the soil?
To mix soil for zz plant, start by gathering the right materials. Decide which ingredients you want to use. Mix the ingredients in a separate container, adding a little water to moisten the mixture. Be prepared to transfer the soil to a new container.
Lay the newly prepared mixture on the bottom of the comma pot and knead it. Then place the plant in a new container. Use the remaining soil to fill the spaces between the roots and the sides of the pot.
Remember to properly position the zamioculcas in such a way that the plant grows straight. It will not compact the soil too much, because zamioculcas likes it when water flows freely through the roots. For zz plant and other succulents, there is nothing worse than roots standing in water.
Land for zamioculcas, which is available in stores
You don’t have to prepare the soil yourself. You can use ready-made mixes that are available in stores. However, remember that sometimes the soil can be used for intensive plant growth.
Very often, growers use completely different mixtures than those needed by the plant for normal growth.
Have you ever bought a plant and it strangely withered when you brought it home?
You see, plant producers are all about fast growth. Therefore, they use different types of fertilizers and soil that allow the plant to grow quickly. Such unnatural conditions mean that after moving such a plant home, it suddenly experiences a shock.
After all, who among us sprays a new plant with special chemical fertilizers that strengthen its roots and accelerate growth? Nobody. Therefore, it is worth repotting the plant immediately after purchase.
If you buy such ready-made soil, for example, intended for succulents, you may be very surprised.
Let me show you how I approach this subject.
Soil for succulents
Good soil for succulents should be permeable and contain a lot of organic matter. What kind of soil is best to take out on the stand after purchase and leave for a few hours? After this time, it should change its colour to light brown. If it doesn’t and it’s still damp, it’s holding too much moisture. Such soil should be mixed with perlite or garden sand in a ratio of three to one. This means that for 100 grams of sand, add 300 grams of soil.
Universal soil
Such land can be very difficult for the cultivation of zz plant. It is usually too dense and dense. It perfectly retains moisture, which can promote root rot. However, such soil can be an excellent base for self-preparation of soil for zamioculcas. You can use it according to the recipe given above.
Soil for cacti
Cacti, like zamioculcas, belong to the group of succulents. They store water in their leaves and are resistant to periodic drought. Of course, this does not mean that zamiokulkas can not be watered at all . This means that in natural conditions the plant is used to the fact that sometimes it rains, but very briefly.
ZZ plant is therefore used to quickly capture water from the ground and transport it to its leaves.
Soil for cacti should therefore be perfect for planting zamioculcas. Before planting, however, check that it is not too compact and too moist. Sometimes it happened to me to buy soil that had “soil for cactus” in the name but really had nothing to do with it. Nothing can replace common sense.
What soil for zamioculcas in a pot?
The soil for zz plantin a pot should be as described above. However, pay attention to the pot itself. It should have several drainage holes that allow water to flow freely out of the pot.
If you do not provide the plant with proper drainage, zz plant will start to rot. A common mistake I see is well-chosen soil, in a pot without drainage holes.
Summary
Soil is just one of the elements that are important in growing plants. It is worth taking care of zmiokulkas comprehensively, providing it with appropriate nutrients and watering it properly.
Then it will certainly repay you with beautiful leaves and wonderful greenery that will please every plant lover.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to recognize that the land for zamikulkas is unsuitable?
Fortunately, zamioculcas is quite a hardy plant. However, remember that if you use the wrong soil, the plant will give you clear signals that something is wrong.
Here are some basic signs that zamioculcas is in the wrong soil:
– leaves turn brown
– the leaves curl up
– the plant has rotten roots
–they dry up or wilt
Also remember that this may indicate other problems with the cultivation of zamiocuclas. For example, this species prefers humidity to dry rooms and does not like direct sunlight.
Although zz plant is easy to keep, the appearance of the above-mentioned things can be a signal that something is wrong with the plant.
