ZZ plant stalks falling over is a common complaint about these otherwise perfect houseplants that people have. We want to identify why our ZZ plant stalks are falling over, how to stop it from happening and we want to know whether the damage is irreversible or not. So let’s take a look.
Why Are ZZ Plant Stalks Falling Over
There are a few causes as to why this might be happening but if we address each in turn hopefully it should help you to find out what’s wrong with your plant. Firstly, let’s talk light. People says that that ZZ plants are low light houseplants but what this means is that they can tolerate lower light conditions. If you want your stalks to grow upright then you need to place then in an area that receives better light. If they are in an area that has poor lighting conditions then this could be the cause, try moving it to a brighter spot and see if this helps the situation.
Next let’s look at water. Unfortunately both over and under watering your plant can cause the ZZ plant stalks to fall over but we should be able to work out which it is. Although you need to allow the soil to dry out between waterings that doesn’t mean you should let your plant sit dry for days. Check the soil constantly, do you allow it to sit dry for a long time between waterings? If you do then this is the likely cause. And if the damage isn’t too bad then hopefully after some more regular waterings your plant should start to perk up again.
If overwatering is the cause then this could be a bit trickier to fix. Yellowing leaves and smushy stems are common signs of overwatering. Check the soil, does it feel moist to touch? Do you water your plant without checking to see if it has dried out? Do you have a well draining potting mix or does water sit in your pot for days after you have watered your plant? If this sounds like your plant then overwatering is the likely culprit. For this I would recommend waiting until your plant dries out until you water it again and if the soil is retaining a lot of liquid try repotting it in a lighter mix.
Depending on the damage some of your stems could be past saving but you should know from where the new growth is coming from and the conditions of your stems. If you find the stems are still in tact and growing but won’t straighten then you can prop them up by crossing too chopsticks, placing them in the soil and resting the stem against the cross. If the damage is irreversible and your stems are squishy and beyond repair then you can use a sharp pair of gardening scissors like these ones on Amazon to cut away the damaged stem so the plant can concentrate on new growth.
So these are the main causes of zz plant stalks falling over. Hopefully we have been able to help you but if you’re still unsure then post your query below with a picture of your ZZ plant and we will see if we can help you diagnose the problem.
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