Garden Care Guide

ZZ Plant Care

Zamioculcas zamiifolia

One of the hardiest indoor plants, content with little light and little water. Its tuberous roots store water; overwatering is its only serious enemy.

Frost-tender (protect from frost)

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January
  • Watering: Stop watering. In winter, wet soil is the most common cause of root rot.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • Pests & diseases: Make sure water does not collect in the root zone. Softening and darkening at the root collar are signs of root rot.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 10 °C.
February
  • Watering: Stop watering. In winter, wet soil is the most common cause of root rot.
  • Pruning: It does not need formative pruning and its top should not be cut. Only remove dry, broken, and diseased branches.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • Pests & diseases: Make sure water does not collect in the root zone. Softening and darkening at the root collar are signs of root rot.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 10 °C.
March
  • Watering: Stop watering. In winter, wet soil is the most common cause of root rot.
  • Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer as the plant emerges from dormancy.
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 10 °C.
April
  • Watering: Once a month, water when the soil is completely dry.
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
May
  • Watering: Once a month, water when the soil is completely dry.
  • General care: Suitable period for planting and transplanting. Drainage is critical for this plant. In heavy, water-retaining soil, plant on a mound or bed raised 20-30 cm; the root collar should remain above the surrounding soil level.
June
  • Watering: After the soil has dried out completely, water a little at a time every 15-20 days.
  • Fertilizing: Apply the second fertilizer dose during the growing season. Do not fertilize after August; late growth will not survive winter.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • Pests & diseases: Look for cottony white clusters in the leaf axils (mealybugs).
July
  • Watering: After the soil has dried out completely, water a little at a time every 15-20 days.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Keep it in a position sheltered from midday sun; scorching at the leaf edges is a sign of burn.
  • Pests & diseases: Look for cottony white clusters in the leaf axils (mealybugs).
August
  • Watering: After the soil has dried out completely, water a little at a time every 15-20 days.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • Pests & diseases: Look for cottony white clusters in the leaf axils (mealybugs).
September
  • Watering: Once a month, water when the soil is completely dry.
October
  • Watering: Once a month, water when the soil is completely dry.
November
  • Watering: Stop watering. In winter, wet soil is the most common cause of root rot.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: In winter rains, make sure water does not pool in the root zone; for this plant, drainage is more critical than irrigation.
  • Pests & diseases: Make sure water does not collect in the root zone. Softening and darkening at the root collar are signs of root rot.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 10 °C.
December
  • Watering: Stop watering. In winter, wet soil is the most common cause of root rot.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Evergreen leaves continue to lose water in winter. Water thoroughly once before the soil freezes.
  • Pests & diseases: Make sure water does not collect in the root zone. Softening and darkening at the root collar are signs of root rot.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 10 °C.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

Want reminders for every plant in your garden? Our garden-care app with monthly task lists and frost alerts is currently available in Turkish; the English version is on the way.

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