Found a great ZZ for a reasonable price

18 years ago

Rejoice with me. I've been looking for one of these, as the small one I have at home is proving very slow to make new shoots. Only one this year, and as if in exchange for that, one of its two previous shoots died.

I was delighted to find two ZZs yesterday. They looked great and had a few long shoots and 4 or 5 vigorous-looking little ones coming up around them, at about $8 for a 6" pot, at the Home Depot in a mall in Eastlake, Chula Vista, CA. (At the corner of Olympic Parkway and Eastlake Parkway, I believe.) I mention all this just in case someone wants the one I didn't buy--if it is still left, that is, ha ha. They were equally healthy-looking.

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Comments (10)

tommyr_gw Zone 6
18 years ago
ZZ plants are great! I have 3. I normally get 1 new shoot a year from each bulb.

Tom
amany
18 years ago
I'm jumping on the ZZ Plant bandwagon. Since I've been coming to this forum, I've jumped on several bandwagons. African violets, jades, peace lilies, lucky bamboos and now ZZ Plants.
After spending all day calling Home Depots and Walmarts, I also found one at a Lowe's. They have ONE left for $9 and they promised to set it aside for me until I get off work. I didn't even find out what size it is. I don't care!! The only other place I was able to locate one was at my favorite nursey. They're in 8" pots and 40 dollars. I've got just under a year invested in this plant lovin' hobby. I'm not ready to invest 40 bucks in one plant yet. But everytime I go to the greenhouse, I walk over and look at the ZZ Plants for a minute or two. I not going to buy one for $40 dollars, but I will definitely pay it a visit while I'm there. :-)
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tommyr_gw Zone 6
18 years ago
Don't pay $40, They aren't cheap but they shouldn't cost THAT much. Shop around.

Tom
amany
18 years ago
I don't think I'm in danger of spending 40 bucks on a plant. LOL

I went to Lowes and got the last one they had. I almost left it because it was in terrible condition. It was in six inch pot that was bursting apart (from needing to be repotted) and had about 8 or 9 stalks. The manager took one look at my face when I saw it and offered it to me for 4 dollars. He suggested I give it a trim and repot.

As I was removing the dirt the tubers were separating, so I now have 4 new ZZ Plants in 3 inch pots. There were only about three roots that had a little rot on the ends. I trimmed them back and am hoping for the best. I planted them in cacti succulent soil and have them in medium light. I haven't watered yet. I figured I'd wait a while because the soil was moist. I think it had been watered recently.

If anyone has any suggestions or input, I'm open.
moreplants
17 years ago
I have owned a zz plant now for almost three years. Each time new shoots come out older shoots die. My medium (full looking) plant now looks thin and spaced out. Most of the remaining shoots have green but crinkled looking leaves. After a while they become yellow and fall off. This was a beautiful plant when I bought it. I still get compliments on it, but it does not look the same. What am I doing wrong?

I recently bought a larger size zz plant and right now it is sending out 7 new shoots. Most of the shoots are already turning into leaves. It is beautiful.

I would like my other plant to look just as beautiful. Help!
seaecho1
17 years ago
Could you be overwatering it? ZZs are generally one of the easiest of all house plants to grow. They are almost completely undemanding. They HAVE to dry out between waterings though, or they won't be happy, and can rot and die. My ZZ is in a 6" pot, the plant is about 12" high, and I only water it maybe once in 3-4 weeks in winter. I mist it every day, and it might get a LITTLE bit of sun in the afternoon. (Its set back a way from my west window). But they do just fine with good light and no direct sun at all. And the leaves should not be crinkled. That's what makes me suspicious about possible root rot.

Randi
mr_subjunctive
17 years ago
[Doing the dance of ZZ plant rejoicing for biwako_of_abi]
madam_w
17 years ago
Hi Moreplants, I had the same problem with my ZZ plant -- it was caused by over watering. Apparently, they are not demanding plants, they need very little water and medium light. I repotted mine and let the soil dry out before watering lightly. It is doing better now and sent up a new shoot last week. I guess spring is really around the corner!
shiver
17 years ago
ZZs are now my favorite, fast-growing plants of all time. The stores talk about ZZs being easy plants that can grow in low light and with almost no water----following these directions will get you a poor looking plant. I give my plant about 6 hours of sun a day, but be sure it's morning or evening sun as mid-day sun will burn the leaves. Water it when the top inch or two of sol is dry. In less than a year my plant has put out seven shoots and has gone from a 6" pot to a 10" pot. If you're losing older shoots, you are not giving it enough water! Do not listen to the nuseries who tell you to neglect this beautiful plant----give it good care and it will not fail you!
watergal
17 years ago
I agree with shiver, it can survive for a while in low light, but it will be sparse and floppy. Given bright light, it will grow like MAD and be gorgeous!

Found a great ZZ for a reasonable price

Comments (10)

tommyr_gw Zone 6

amany

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