How to Boost Your ZZ Plant’s Growth with Sweet Potato: A Simple Guide

If you’ve noticed that your ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is looking unhealthy, with yellowing leaves or slow growth, you’re not alone. Many people struggle with this hardy yet sometimes finicky plant, especially when it doesn’t seem to thrive despite their best efforts. However, there’s a simple and inexpensive solution you can try to give your ZZ plant a boost: sweet potato!

In this guide, I will show you how to create a sweet potato solution that can help your ZZ plant grow healthier and even bloom. Whether you’re a beginner or someone who’s been growing ZZ plants for a while, this easy trick will provide your plant with the nutrients it needs to thrive.

Why Sweet Potato?

Sweet potatoes are packed with essential vitamins and minerals that plants need to grow strong and healthy. They are rich in thiamine, calcium, potassium, boron, manganese, and magnesium, all of which are nutrients that can help your ZZ plant develop more robust roots and foliage. Essentially, sweet potato acts as a natural fertilizer that can give your plant the energy it needs to grow and bloom.

What You’ll Need

  • 1 medium-sized sweet potato (not too small, but also not too large)

  • 2 liters (about 8 cups) of water (preferably chlorine-free)

  • A blender

  • A kitchen strainer

  • A 20-liter (5-gallon) container or pot for your ZZ plant

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Preparing the Sweet Potato Mixture

Start by washing the sweet potato thoroughly. Then, cut it into chunks and place it in a blender. Add the 2 liters of water into the blender and blend the sweet potato for about 2 to 3 minutes, until you get a smooth, liquid solution.

2. Straining the Mixture

After blending the sweet potato, it’s essential to strain the solution to remove any solid particles. Using a kitchen strainer, pour the mixture into a separate container. This step ensures that you won’t introduce any solid particles into your plant’s soil, which could potentially cause fungal growth or attract pests.

3. Applying the Solution to Your ZZ Plant

Now that you have your sweet potato solution ready, it’s time to apply it to your ZZ plant. If your plant is in a 20-liter (5-gallon) pot, you can use the full 2 liters of the solution. Simply pour the mixture into the soil, ensuring it’s evenly distributed around the base of the plant. If your ZZ plant is in a smaller pot, say a 10-liter pot, you should only use about 1 liter of the solution.

Apply the sweet potato solution every 7 days, as this frequency will allow your ZZ plant to absorb the nutrients gradually, without over-saturating the soil. This natural fertilizer will encourage healthy growth and help restore the vibrancy of your ZZ plant’s leaves.

Additional Tips for ZZ Plant Care

While the sweet potato solution is a great way to boost your ZZ plant’s health, there are a few other essential care tips to ensure it thrives:

  • Avoid Direct Sunlight: ZZ plants are not sun-loving plants. They thrive in indirect light or partial shade, so avoid placing them in direct sunlight, which can scorch their leaves. If you expose them to too much sun, you may notice the edges of the leaves turning brown or crispy.

  • Watering Needs: ZZ plants are succulents, meaning they store water in their roots and don’t require frequent watering. Overwatering is a common mistake that can lead to root rot. It’s best to let the soil dry out between waterings. If the plant’s soil is still moist, wait before watering again.

  • Fertilizing Your ZZ Plant: While sweet potato is an excellent natural fertilizer, it’s also essential to feed your ZZ plant every 15 to 30 days with a balanced, diluted fertilizer. This will provide it with the necessary nutrients to continue growing strong and healthy.

  • Repotting: ZZ plants grow slowly, but if your plant has outgrown its pot, it’s a good idea to repot it every couple of years. Make sure the new pot has drainage holes to prevent water from collecting at the bottom.

  • Leaf Care: ZZ plants are prone to collecting dust on their thick, glossy leaves. Wipe them gently with a damp cloth to keep them clean and allow the plant to photosynthesize properly.

Conclusion

Using sweet potato as a natural fertilizer for your ZZ plant is a simple, effective, and inexpensive way to encourage healthy growth and vibrant foliage. By following this easy method, you’ll be providing your plant with a nutrient-rich boost that can help it thrive. Additionally, by understanding the ZZ plant’s care needs—like avoiding direct sunlight, watering carefully, and feeding it regularly—you can ensure your plant remains healthy and beautiful for years to come.

Give this technique a try and watch as your ZZ plant flourishes like never before!

jardin