Soil & potting mix
Best soil for Raven ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia 'Raven')
Also called Raven ZZ Plant, Black ZZ Plant, Zanzibar Gem Raven.
More about raven zz plant
About Raven ZZ Plant
Zamioculcas zamiifolia 'Raven' · also called Raven ZZ Plant, Black ZZ Plant · houseplant
A striking cultivar of the classic ZZ plant whose new leaves emerge bright lime-green then gradually deepen to near-black as they mature, creating a dramatic two-tone effect. Exceptionally drought-tolerant thanks to water-storing rhizomes, it thrives in low light and suits almost any indoor environment. Slow-growing but nearly indestructible.
Preferred mix: Free-draining cactus/succulent mix or loam-based compost with perlite
Watch for — Yellow leaves from overwatering: The most common issue. Yellow, mushy stems at the base indicate root or rhizome rot. Remove the plant from the pot, cut away rotted tissue, allow to dry for a day, and replant in fresh dry compost. Drastically reduce watering frequency.
Why raven zz plant needs this mix
Raven ZZ Plant stores water in its leaves and stems, so it wants a free-draining, gritty mix that dries out fully between waterings — not a moisture-holding one.
- Raven ZZ Plant carries its own water supply in its thick tissue, so the soil's job is to drain fast and then get out of the way.
- Its roots are adapted to short wet spells followed by long dry ones — a mix that stays damp removes the dry phase they depend on.
- A gritty mix also keeps the plant compact and well-coloured rather than soft, leggy and prone to collapse.
For the full picture on what makes up a good mix, see our guide to the main types of soil and potting media — it explains why each ingredient above behaves the way it does.
What goes wrong with the wrong mix
The wrong soil is one of the most common reasons raven zz plant struggles, and the damage often shows up weeks later as a watering problem. For this species specifically:
- Standard potting compost on its own stays wet far too long for raven zz plant; the lower leaves and stem base go soft and translucent first.
- Big plastic pots full of dense mix hold a wet core long after the surface looks dry — that hidden wet zone is where rot starts.
- Anything sold as "moisture control" is the opposite of what this plant wants.
Treating raven zz plant like a leafy houseplant and using plain compost. It needs at least half its volume as grit, perlite or pumice to survive long term.
pH — does it matter for raven zz plant?
pH is not a concern for raven zz plant — anything from mildly acidic to neutral (6.0-7.0) works. Get the drainage right and pH looks after itself.
If you want to check or adjust it, the soil pH guide walks through testing and the safe ways to nudge a mix more acidic or more alkaline.
DIY mix vs a bagged one
A good bagged "cactus and succulent" mix works for raven zz plant if you add roughly 30-50% extra perlite or grit. Mixing your own from the ratio above gives you full control of how fast it dries.
Drainage and the pot
Use a pot with a drainage hole and empty the saucer within minutes of watering. Terracotta is more forgiving than glazed or plastic because it dries the rootball faster.
This mix decomposes slowly, so raven zz plant only needs repotting every 2-3 years — mainly to refresh the grit and check the roots are firm and pale. When the time comes, our repotting guide for raven zz plant covers the timing and technique step by step.
Raven ZZ Plant soil — frequently asked questions
What is the best soil mix for raven zz plant?
2 parts standard cactus or succulent compost : 1 part perlite or pumice : 1 part coarse grit or coarse sand. Raven ZZ Plant carries its own water supply in its thick tissue, so the soil's job is to drain fast and then get out of the way.
Can I use normal potting soil for raven zz plant?
Standard potting compost on its own stays wet far too long for raven zz plant; the lower leaves and stem base go soft and translucent first. A good bagged "cactus and succulent" mix works for raven zz plant if you add roughly 30-50% extra perlite or grit. Mixing your own from the ratio above gives you full control of how fast it dries.
Does raven zz plant need a special pH?
pH is not a concern for raven zz plant — anything from mildly acidic to neutral (6.0-7.0) works. Get the drainage right and pH looks after itself.
Should I buy a bagged mix or make my own for raven zz plant?
A good bagged "cactus and succulent" mix works for raven zz plant if you add roughly 30-50% extra perlite or grit. Mixing your own from the ratio above gives you full control of how fast it dries.
How often should I refresh the soil for raven zz plant?
This mix decomposes slowly, so raven zz plant only needs repotting every 2-3 years — mainly to refresh the grit and check the roots are firm and pale. Use a pot with a drainage hole and empty the saucer within minutes of watering. Terracotta is more forgiving than glazed or plastic because it dries the rootball faster.
Keep reading
- Raven ZZ Plant care — the full brief (light, water, humidity, problems, pet safety)
- How often to water raven zz plant — the schedule the mix feeds into
- Repotting raven zz plant — when and how to refresh the mix
- Soil pH guide — test it and adjust it safely
- How often to water succulents — the soak-and-dry method
- Overwatered plant — signs and recovery
- Root rot — how the wrong soil starts it, and how to save the plant
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- All 8452 soil and potting-mix guides in the Growli library