The best soil for potting or repotting ZZ plants is a premium, all-purpose potting soil. ZZ plants love good drainage so you can add some perlite which will help the soil to drain better. You could also add ¼ cactus soil to the potting soil to increase drainage. ZZ plants are hardy as long as they are not overwatered and the pot can drain well.
This article will explore the best potting soil for ZZ plants. Whether you are shifting your ZZ plant to a bigger pot, if you are repotting to refresh the soil or dividing the plant to make new ones this article will help you make the soil choice.
Top 7 Tips for choosing the best soil potting for ZZ plants
Here are my top 7 tips for choosing the best potting soil for repotting ZZ plants at home. These will help you to grow a healthy plant that thrives in its new soil.
1. Choose a premium all-purpose potting soil
Choose a premium all-purpose potting soil as the base for your new ZZ plant. These will contain a mix of composted material, usually from pine bark, sand and slow release fertilizer. This will gently feed your plant for the first 4 weeks and will drain well.
You could choose an indoor plant potting soil but these won’t differ very much from the all-purpose potting soils. These tend to include slow release fertilizers that are low odor.
2. Add some perlite if you have it
Adding perlite to your potting soil is a great way to increase drainage for ZZ plants. ZZ plants grow from a rhizome that looks like a small potato which absorbs water. The plant is easily overwatered so mixing a handful of perlite through your soil will help the
Perlite is a rock-like substance that is baked so it puffs up like puffed rice. The small holes allow water to drain through well to help ZZ plants to stay healthy. While adding perlite is not essential it can be worth doing if you have some at home already.
3. Mix through cactus potting soil for extra drainage
Another option to increase your potting soil drainage is to mix through cactus mix. This will be a coarse potting soil with large pieces that drain well. Mix through ¼ cactus mix with an all-purpose potting soil to make a great mix for ZZ plants. This is not essential but if you have some laying around, cactus mix can be great.
4. Make sure the potting mix is moist
When choosing a potting mix it is always important to make sure it is moist. New bags of potting mix that are unopened are usually moist but old, open bags can dry out. Always take care and moisten the mix with the sprayer nozzle on your hose before using it. This will help to gently hydrate the soil when you transplant and keep it from blowing around.
Very dry soil can become hydrophobic so always keep opened bags of potting soil sealed with a rubber-band or tape to keep the moisture in. Place them in a shady spot in your garage or under a tree to stop them drying out and use them as soon as possible.
5. Add slow release fertilizer after 4 weeks
Add slow release fertilizer to your newly potted ZZ plant after 4 weeks. Let the plant settle in with new potting soil and then give it a top up of a balanced slow release fertilizer in spring. ZZ plants are easy care and only need to be fertilized once per year in spring.
6. Water the plant to settle the potting soil in
After the ZZ plant has been repotted with new potting soil it is important to water it in well. This will settle the soil in well and fill any air holes around the roots. ZZ plants won’t need to be watered for another 4 weeks as their rhizomes will hold enough water to sustain them.
7. Avoid specialized potting soil mixes
When repotting ZZ plant there is no need to reach for a specialized potting mix if you don’t have any. While indoor potting mixes are very similar to a general premium mix, they are not necessary. I like to choose a general all purpose potting mix because I can use it for outdoor plants, indoor plants and topping up my raised garden beds.
What kind of soil does a ZZ plant need?
ZZ plants need good quality, well draining soil which is high in organic matter. Mix through perlite or a ¼ mix of cactus potting mix to give it good drainage. ZZ plants can be grown outdoors in a shaded area where the soil is improved with aged cow manure and compost. Leave the plant to dry out between watering and only water every 4 weeks.
Can I use succulent soil for ZZ plant?
Use up to ¼ mix of succulent soil with an all-purpose potting soil for ZZ plants. Succulent mix is well draining but will drain too much for ZZ plants on its own. Combine it with all purpose potting soil to help it to hold enough water to keep the plant happy.
Do ZZ plants need cactus soil?
You can add up to ¼ cactus soil to your potting soil mix to add extra drainage for ZZ plants. ZZ plants love good drainage and cactus soil has large particles which help with this. It is best no to use 100% cactus soil with ZZ plants but adding some will help to avoid the ZZ plant roots rotting.
When should you repot a ZZ plant?
Repot ZZ plant every 2-3 years or when you have 6 or more stems. This is the time that the ZZ plants will have split off with multiple rhizomes that can be grown into new plants.
Repot ZZ plant once you feel that the pot is firm which means that the pot is full of roots and the plant will need more room. Use good quality, premium potting soil to support the rhizome to settle in and drain well.
Best potting soil for ZZ plants | Summary
The best potting soil for ZZ plants is a premium, all-purpose soil with slow release fertilizer, organic matter and is well draining. Any premium, general potting soil will work but you could choose an indoor potting soil if you like. Mix through perlite to improve drainage and only water ZZ plants every 4 weeks.
Happy growing.
I am an accredited practicing dietitian, experienced gardener and a dedicated cook. I love writing and sharing my experience so you can learn from my successes and mistakes.