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Mold or fungus on ZZ plant soil?

Jesse (SF Bay Area - 10A)

6 years ago

Just noticed this white fuzzy growth on the soil of a potted ZZ plant. The plant itself seems fine - it's just on the soil. Any ideas what this is and what I should do about it?

It's a newish plant that I repotted into 50/50 cactus soil/perlite a month or two ago. I've been watering when a wood skewer shows the top half of the soil is dry, lately every 10 days or so.

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Comments (5)

Karen S. (7b, NYC)
6 years ago
I don't know what that is. I'd throw all that out, sterilize the pot & start all over.

You're watering too often. It's not when the soil is dry 1/2 way down. It's water when the soil is dry ALL THE WAY DOWN. esp. for a ZZ on which one should err on the drier size.

Was your Perlite mixed in throughout the soil, or just on top?

Can I pls see the whole thing? Full shot w/ plant & pot, am trying to assess size & I can't do that seeing so little. Pot may be too big for plant & that's combining to be too moist too long, I'd guess.
Jesse (SF Bay Area - 10A) thanked Karen S. (7b, NYC)
Jesse (SF Bay Area - 10A)
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks for the reply. When you say "throw all that out," do you mean just the soil, or dump the whole plant?

Watering - I found tons of conflicting info online, ranging from let the top 2" dry to let the whole thing dry. Tried to split the difference by letting it dry halfway, but the truth is I was pretty lax so it probably ended up close to all dry in most watering cycles.

I did have some trouble assessing moisture, though, since the wooden skewers I use oft end up poking into the ZZ's tubers, so I'm wary of probing soil.

Perlite is mixed throughout the soil, in a roughly 50/50 ratio.

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Louise (UK)
6 years ago
It resembles mycelium, the vegetive part of a fungus found in soil and other substrates. If so, it's harmless to the plant, but is a clear indicator that the soil is overwatered and too moist. Does the fungus disappear when you touch it?
stewartsjon
6 years ago
Zamios like to be really dry. Don't water again until the soil feels dry to the touch. You would have to keep one dry for ages to harm it - eventually they start to go a little wrinkly - then it's too dry!

If you don't want to change all the soil I'd certainly scrape off as much of the top of the soil as possible and replace it.
L R
2 years ago
The plant has been overwatered. Water your plant with a ratio of 1 part 3% peroxide 3 parts water. Make sure the mixture is evenly distributed covering all the soil. That will kill your culprit and aerate the roots which will prevent the loss of your plant.

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