Zamioculcas Zamiifolia or ZZ plant is one of the most common houseplants in the tropical region because of its easy-to-care foliage. This plant has small but broad, glossy green leaves growing on long stems. Sometimes, these long stems droop down and give a lifeless appearance to the whole plant. This situation leaves you thinking, “What am I doing wrong? Why is my ZZ plant drooping?”
ZZ plant drooping always has to do something with improper care routine. You have to find out what you are doing wrong with its care and fix it. The seven leading causes that can be why your ZZ plant is drooping are explained in this article. Let’s read about them.
Reasons Behind ZZ Plant Stems Drooping?
Low Light
ZZ plant has excellent tolerance for various light conditions. It is the main reason why the ZZ plant is widely grown in offices and small apartments. You can place it anywhere inside a room, and it will stay happy as long as it’s receiving 4-6 hours of indirect sunlight. However, one thing it cannot stand is insufficient light exposure.
Low light is the most common reason for a droopy ZZ plant. When a ZZ plant does not receive sufficient light, it starts to arch its stems outwards to reach a light source. It gives a droopy appearance to the plant.
How to Fix It?
Move your plant and place it near a window to get bright sunlight for at least 6 hours a day. Do not place it directly in front of the window because direct light burns its leaves.
Overwatering
Overwatering is the easiest way to kill your ZZ plant (which you do not want to do). This plant is native to East Africa, and thus it is quite tolerant of dry conditions. You do not need to water it every other day to keep it alive. So one possible answer to your question, ‘why are my ZZ plant stems drooping?’ is overwatering.
How to Treat Overwatering
Do not water your plant unless its topsoil is completely dry. If you are unsure if the soil is dry yet, insert a toothpick into the soil for 1-2 inches. If it comes out wet, do not water the plant.
Dry Soil
Plants need moisture in their stems and leaves to stay stiff and straight. In the absence of enough water, their stems start to droop, and leaves start to wilt. So if your ZZ plant is drooping, underwatering can be the reason for it.
To be sure that underwatering is the main culprit, note the texture of the leaves. Flaccid leaves and droopy foliage is due to overwatering; wilted leaves and droopy foliage is due to underwatering.
How to Fix it?
Schedule the watering frequency of your ZZ plant. Set a reminder so you do not forget to water it. You should water this plant every 2-3 weeks or when its topsoil is completely dry.
Wet Feet
Regulating the watering schedule goes in vain if your plant does not have good drainage of its soil. It is because the ZZ plant hates wet feet. Saturated or poor-draining soil can lead to root rot and eventually droopy foliage. It also limits airflow towards the roots.
How to Fix ZZ Plant Wet Feet
If you water the plant right and it still has droopy foliage and flaccid leaves, check its roots for root rot. It is best to change the soil and use a well-draining potting mix. Use a mixture of potting soil, charcoal, perlite, and orchid bark as its potting mix.
ZZ Plant Stems Drooping Due to Transplant Stress
If you have recently repotted your ZZ plant, its droopy foliage is a regular thing. Plants suffer from transplant stress after being repotted. It can be due to some damaged roots or water deficiency. In such a situation, plants focus more on healing their roots than keeping their foliage straight.
How to Fix It?
If your Zanzibar gem is droopy due to transplant stress, you just have to give it time to get better. Eventually, the plant will come out of transplant stress and straighten its stems. If you want to help it get out of transplant stress quickly, move it to a brighter spot and water it properly.
Nutrient Deficiency
Plants need proper fertilization for healthy growth. If you have not fertilized your plant in months, it is time you boost its growth by fertilizing its soil. But how would you know nutrient deficiency is the actual reason behind a droopy ZZ plant? By looking at the color of its leaves. Nutrient deficiency leads to yellowing of leaves or leaf discoloration.
How to Treat Nutrient Deficiency in ZZ Plant
If your actual question is, why is my ZZ plant drooping and having yellow leaves, you need to fertilize your plant right away. It would be best to fertilize it every month with a balanced fertilizer.
ZZ Plant Stems Drooping Due to Cold Temperature
ZZ plants need warmer temperatures for optimal growth. This plant grows just fine as long as the temperature stays between 60°F and 75°F. As soon as the temperature drops below 40°F, the growth rate slows down. Its leaves turn brown at such a low temperature, and its stems start to droop. It indicates that your plant is dying and needs to be saved.
How to Fix It?
Move your plant to a warmer location where the temperature stays in its required range. You should also cut all the damaged or brown parts of the plant because they will not get better and only stress the plant more.
Conclusion
Why is my ZZ plant drooping? ZZ plants droop primarily due to poor light conditions or improper watering. Improper watering can lead to wet feet or too much dry soil, both unfavorable for the healthy and straight growth of ZZ plants. Other than that, transplant stress, nutrient deficiency, and low temperature can also lead to droopy foliage of the ZZ plant. To find the main reason, you need to rule out these possible causes one by one.
