Soil & potting mix
Best soil for ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
Also called Zanzibar gem, eternity plant.
About ZZ plant
Zamioculcas zamiifolia · also called Zanzibar gem, eternity plant · houseplant
ZZ plant is a near-indestructible African native that stores water in potato-like underground rhizomes. It tolerates low light, drought, and neglect and is the standard recommendation for offices and dim apartments. Mildly toxic to pets.
Zamioculcas zamiifolia is an aroid native to the forest understory and grassland margins of eastern Africa, from Kenya and Tanzania (including Zanzibar) south to Mozambique and KwaZulu-Natal, where it endures a long, pronounced dry season.
Because the swollen rhizomes are prone to rot in saturated media, it needs a fast-draining, airy mix; a standard potting soil cut with extra perlite or coarse sand suits it far better than a dense moisture-retentive blend.
Preferred mix: Free-draining cactus or houseplant mix
Watch for — Mushy stems at the base: Root rot from too-wet soil; salvage firm rhizomes only.
Sources: libguides.nybg.org, bbg.org, en.wikipedia.org
Why zz plant needs this mix
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.
- 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 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 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 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 zz plant?
pH is not a concern for 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 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 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 zz plant covers the timing and technique step by step.
ZZ plant soil — frequently asked questions
What is the best soil mix for zz plant?
2 parts standard cactus or succulent compost : 1 part perlite or pumice : 1 part coarse grit or coarse sand. 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 zz plant?
Standard potting compost on its own stays wet far too long for zz plant; the lower leaves and stem base go soft and translucent first. A good bagged "cactus and succulent" mix works for 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 zz plant need a special pH?
pH is not a concern for 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 zz plant?
A good bagged "cactus and succulent" mix works for 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 zz plant?
This mix decomposes slowly, so 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
- ZZ plant care — the full brief (light, water, humidity, problems, pet safety)
- How often to water zz plant — the schedule the mix feeds into
- Repotting 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
- Best soil for snake plant
- Best soil for dracaena
- Best soil for peperomia
- All 200 soil and potting-mix guides in the Growli library