Selecting a soil for ZZ plants doesn’t have to be difficult! There’s a lot of twists and turns when figuring out how to choose a gardening soil, but I’m here to make it easy. That’s why I compiled this list of the 10 best soils for a ZZ plant.
My personal choice for a soil for ZZ plants is this The Succulent Cult Organic Succulent & Cactus Mix. What I like about this particular soil mix is that it is an organic blend ingredients that meet’s the well-draining soil preferences of the ZZ Plant.
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10 Soils for ZZ Plant
1. The Succulent Cult Organic Succulent & Cactus Mix
This soil mix from The Succulent Cult is on the top of the list for a good reason. Its organic blend is excellent for the longevity and health of your Zanzibar gem. Good for inside or outside of the home, this blend of sphagnum peat moss and perlite with limestone is sure to please your ZZ plant. Not only that, but its pH of 5.5 to 6.0 will be a hit with your plant! This soil mix is available in 3 quarts or 4 quarts.
Reviews
Reviewers were generally very happy with this high quality soil blend, attributing it to the health of their plants that need a good well-draining soil. On the other hand, unsatisfied reviewers were displeased with the scent of this soil, as well as others reporting their plants did not fare well after being repotted in this soil.
2. The Next Gardener Professional Grower Mix Soil
Organic and lightweight, this soil mix from The Next Gardener sure does not disappoint. They deliver a well-draining soil with a pH of 5.5 that is ideal for your ZZ plant. And my favorite part is the fact that this soil mix comes in four sizes, which is very convenient to those with a lot to plant. You can choose from 2 quarts, 4 quarts, 8 quarts, or 12 quarts.
Reviews
Reviewers agree that this soil is top notch for their plants! They specifically commend that the product delivers on its promise to provide a well-draining soil that won’t leave you heartbroken with root rot. However, a few reviewers did report that they spotted bugs in the soil.
3. Kenzolants Professional Cactus & Succulents Soil Mix
Kenzoplants provides a quality well-draining soil that will make your Zanzibar gem very happy. Blended with 75% sphagnum peat moss and 25% perlite, along with low amounts of organic fertilizer, this soil mix recipe is a great success for ZZ plants. But not only is the soil high quality, so is the bag it comes in; this soil mixture is packaged in a resealable bag, so even if you have leftover soil, rest assured it can stay fresh in this package.
Reviews
Reviewers were very pleased with this product, saying it was perfect for plants that require a soil that drains out excess water (like the ZZ plant). They also did point how how happy they were with the resealable bag, which was great for storage. However, unhappy reviewers said it didn’t do much to help their plants
4. Hoffman Organic Cactus & Succulent Soil Mix
This Hoffman soil mixture is excellent for any plant that loves a well-draining soil made from organic materials. This 10 quart package is a lightweight blend of Canadian sphagnum peat moss, reed sedge peat, perlite, sand, and limestone. Not only that, but it is also bundled with handy gardening gloves, perfect for keeping your hands clean and safe while you tend to your plants.
Reviews
Reviewers were pleased with the growth of their plants after using this soil mix, saying it was the perfect well-draining soil to keep their plants happy and healthy. However, some reviewers did have the unfortunate experience of finding large pieces of mulch and twigs in it.
5. Miracle-Gro Cactus, Palm, and Citrus Potting Mix
Miracle-Gro lives up to its household name with this lovely soil that is originally suited for cacti, but is just as good for your Zanzibar gem! Blended with plant food that keeps your plants nourished for up to six months, this indoor & outdoor soil is a great value for your garden. This soil medium includes, forest products plus sand and perlite to improve drainage.
Reviews
Happy reviewers reported that this soil mix is a hit amongst their plants that require a good draining soil. On the other hand, upset reviewers reported that they found traces of mold as well as gnats in some of their bags of potting mix
6. Perfect Plants Succulent Soil
Does Perfect Plants live up to its name as a perfect soil mix? Absolutely. This soil mix is blended with garden coir, composted pine bark, perlite, and sand. Together, they make a great well-draining blend that is suitable for your ZZ plant’s soil preferences. As a bonus, this mix also comes in a convenient reusable bag.
Reviews
Reviewers were pleased with this organic soil blend, saying that it helped their plants grow and attributing this soil to their healthy lives! They also like the rich quality of the soil as well as its lightness. However, dissatisfied customers said this soil did not help them, as they found it retained more moisture than they would have liked. Other reviewers did note that their soil had an unpleasant aroma as well.
7. The Valley Garden Organic Potting Mix
The Valley Garden provides a high quality organic potting mix that will have your ZZ plants thanking you. This soil mix includes 75% natural substrate and 25% perlite for drainage. Included is also low levels of fertilizer, that will assist in keeping your plant fed. The pH of this soil is balanced to 5.5, which is appropriate for ZZ plants.
Reviews
Reviewers were raving about this high quality soil, saying it is one of the best soils they’ve used. What stood out most was the light, airy feel as well as how happy they were to see their plants thriving after using this soil mix. However, some reviewers disappointed with the smell of the soil as well as some reviewers reporting the presence of bugs in the soil.
8. Sun Gro Black Gold Cactus Mix
This Sun Gro potting mix is originally meant for cacti and succulents, but it can also double as a soil for ZZ plants. This soil is mixed with pumice, perlite, earthworm castings, and compost, allowing for excellent drainage to keep your ZZ plant happy. This potting mix is available in an 8 quart sized bag.
Reviews
Reviewers were happy with the quality of this soil, saying they loved the gritty texture this mix had and attributing the health of their plants to this soil. However, repeat buyers of this soil reported that there were inconsistencies with the ingredients of the soil mix. Some claimed that the ingredients put in the soil changed from the first time they purchased this mix.
9. Birch Seed Soils Cactus Potting Mix
This Birch Seed Soils potting mix is a blend of premium organic peat moss, perlite, lime, and sand. The introduction of lime helps raise the pH level so you can get an appropriate pH level for your ZZ plant. The gritty, sandy texture also assists with draining excess moisture. This product is available in a 2 quart size bag.
Reviews
Reviewers were very happy with this soil blend, saying it was helpful in making their plants grow strong while also assisting in draining out unnecessary water. However, a couple of reviewers said they found cactus spines in their potting mix and advised to be cautious when handling them.
10. Rio Hamza Trading Co ZZ Plant Potting Soil
This Rio Hamza Trading soil mix is an all-natural blend of ingredients to suit your ZZ plant. This particular soil for ZZ plants contains no added fertilizer, so it is entirely up to you if you choose to amend this soil with any nutrients. This bag is available in a 4 quart resealable bag.
Which One Should You Choose?
There are definitely a lot of soil mixes to choose from on this list. If you wanted an organic option, I would select The Succulent Cult Organic Succulent & Cactus Mix and Kenzolants Professional Cactus & Succulents Soil Mix. If you wanted a soil with more grit, go for Birch Seed Soils Cactus Potting Mix or Sun Gro Black Gold Cactus Mix. If you want an organic soil with a lot of product, try The Next Gardener Professional Grower Mix Soil and Hoffman Organic Cactus & Succulent Soil Mix
What pH Range is Best for this Plant?
The best pH range for a Zanzibar gem is between 6.0 to 7.0, which is slightly acidic to neutral. If the soil you have selected for your ZZ plant is higher in pH, soil sulfur helps lower that level.
What Fertilizer Ratio is Best for this Plant?
The best type of fertilizer when preparing soil for ZZ plants is something that is well balanced, so opt for a fertilizer with a ratio of 10-10-10 or 20-20-20.
What is a Good Pot Size for a New Plant like that?
When you bring home a new Zamioculcas zamiifolia, inspect the size of the rhizome that is growing beneath the surface of your plant. You want the pot you plant your new Zanzibar gem in to be 2″ larger in diameter than the rhizome bulb. This rule of thumb can also be applied in the future when sizing up your planter is needed once more.
What is a Good Pot Size for a Fully Grown this Plant?
Do keep in mind that ZZ plants do grow a rhizome deep underneath the soil. Because of this you must select a large, deep pot to accommodate your plant. To determine the appropriate pot size, take a look at the size of the rhizome. You don’t want the rhizome to be within 1″ from the edge of the planter. A pot that is at least 2″ larger in diameter than the rhizome will be suitable.
What is the Original Habitat of this Plant?
The Zamioculcas plant is native to Eastern Africa.
What Causes ZZ Plant Yellow Leaves?
Overwatering is the primary cause of yellow leaves in a ZZ plant. If your soil feels moist and you believe the plant has been sitting in water for long periods of time, please remove your plant from its pot to check for signs of root rot. If any roots appear to be brown and soft to the touch, clip off these dead roots and repot your ZZ plant in fresh, dry soil.
Can I Use Cactus Soil for ZZ Plant?
Yes, cactus soil is an appropriate soil for a ZZ plant due to its fast draining nature.
Does ZZ Plant like to be Root Bound?
No, ZZ plants do not like to be root bound. The reason is because ZZ plants grow a rhizome underground that takes up a lot of space. When that space becomes limited, it’s an invitation for fungus to grow.
My Personal Favorite
Once again, my personal selection for a soil for ZZ plants is this The Succulent Cult Organic Succulent & Cactus Mix. I love the fact that this is a wonderful organic mix of ingredients that will keep your ZZ plant perfectly moist, yet without the excess water that would cause root rot. In addition, the pH level is balanced to suit the needs of the ZZ plant as well. Of course, there are many other soil for ZZ plants, but this is the top of my list.
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