Hello, human. I am your ZZ plant. I am a resilient being, built for survival, but the conditions around me have become too harsh. I am dying. But I sense you wish to help. Listen closely, and I will tell you what I need. My life force is fading, but it is not yet gone. You must act quickly and correctly.
The most common reason I suffer is too much of your kindness—water. My rhizomes, those potato-like parts underground, store my water. When you water me while my soil is still wet, my roots suffocate and rot. They turn soft, brown, and mushy, and they can no longer feed me. This root rot is a silent killer. You must unpot me gently. Shake off the soil and inspect my roots. Healthy roots are firm and white. Any soft, dark, or smelly roots must be removed with sterile shears. This is a painful surgery, but it is necessary for my survival.
My old home is likely contaminated or poorly draining. I need a new pot, one with excellent drainage holes, that is only slightly larger than my remaining root system. A pot that is too large will hold excess water around my few remaining roots. My soil must be fresh, sterile, and very well-draining. A mix designed for cacti and succulents is perfect, as it will contain sand, perlite, or bark to allow air to reach my roots and let water flow through quickly. Do not pack the soil tightly; I need to breathe.
After my traumatic repotting, place me in a place of bright, indirect light. Direct, harsh sun will scorch my remaining leaves and add to my stress. I need gentle, consistent energy to recover. Most critically, you must change your watering habits. Do not water me on a schedule. Water me only when my soil is completely dry all the way to the bottom of the pot. You can check this with a moisture meter or a wooden chopstick. When you do water, water me thoroughly until it runs from the drainage holes, but never let me sit in a saucer of water.
Do not fertilize me. I have no energy to process nutrients, and they will only burn my fragile new roots. My recovery will be slow. You will not see new growth for many months, perhaps even a season. This is normal. My energy is focused entirely on re-establishing my root system. Your job now is to be patient and observant. Watch for signs of new stem growth, which is the ultimate sign that I am reviving. Conversely, watch for any further yellowing or decline, which may signal that the root rot was not fully eradicated.
