Thanks for the compliments, Larry, Hans-Werner, and Biwako. Luke would thank you too, but like all cats, he believes all praise is his due. Larry, I haven't posted in the Aroid forum in years. Although I like aroids, and did know that ZZ is one of them, I never thought of posting the picture there. Biwako, of the four cats in my household Luke is actually the most likely to nibble at plants. Chelsea has no interest in nibbling, Peppermint and Bopper will go after grassy looking foliage. So I do have keep poisonous plants in areas that are inaccessible to them. My ZZ is normally in my home office, where the cats aren't allowed without supervision, and the door is closed when it's not in use. I placed it by the front door for the photograph, where the height of the doorknob could be a size reference. In this case Luke was hanging around the door because he wanted to go outside, and was too preoccupied to bother the plant.

I got a ZZ plant in November, and it's been putting out a burst of seven huge new leaves that are still bright green, shooting up and expanding out. It's definitely stuffed into a sturdy black 6" plastic pot. I want to repot it ASAP, mostly before it bursts the pot but also because it turns out, ironically, that I have severe allergies to various soil-borne things so I'm converting all my plants (including a huge Spath Sensation, somehow!) to soil-less media. With the ZZ plant, though, I don't want to cause problems with/for the new growth. Does anyone know whether it's better or worse to transplant (in this case meaning also removing all soil from the roots) this plant when it's actively growing? Thanks, Alan

Is this growing indoors or out? I wouldn't wish to risk the plant by experimenting like that. Since I know for certain alcohol is OK for Jades, I'd try that since ZZ are succulents as well. Just swab w/ a Q-tip dipped in alcohol, will darken the bug as you remove it. Maybe try just a couple of the stems w/ it FIRST, to see if it does OK. Give it a day or 2 to see the reaction. If OK, this treatment needs to be repeated every few days (3-4 days or so) to keep up w/ the mealy youngins. I'm not sure all those things were meant to be used together (concoction-wise). If you're growing indoors, pls. DON'T use the Rose systemic as I'm sure that was meant for outdoor use only.

This might be way off but have you considered 'leaf scorch'? It has a distinctive mark like a triangle or diamond on the tip of the leaf. Usually there is a yellow band between it and the green part of the leaf. Google it for some photos and see if it looks like your problem. There are several causes, bacteria, or wind, or drought.