ZZ plants are popular for their lush, dark green, glossy, and zigzag leaves. The deep green foliage and strong tolerance to a wide range of conditions are the biggest pluses of including these plants in your indoor garden. But like most other plants, ZZ plants can also become victims to pests and bugs at some point in time. It is, therefore, recommended to do regular inspections and keep a check on their health every time you water them.
In this blog, we list out the common pests and bugs that can infest your ZZ plant along with some effective methods to get rid of them.
So, let’s get started!
Common bugs that attack the ZZ plant
ZZ plants can become susceptible to a lot of pests, if not cared for properly. These pests can reduce the plant sap, redirect nutrients from their leaves, or leave holes in the leaves. Below, we discuss the most common bugs that can attack the ZZ plant.
Scale insects
Scale insects are tiny, dark-colored bumps that can affix themselves to ZZ plant leaves and drink their sap. As the name suggests, scale insects have scale-like appearances due to their distinctive, waxy coverings. These insects may stick along a stem and suck away the plant’s juices, leading to yellowed, distorted, or decayed leaves. Although they remain active mainly during the summers, they can live up to a year and lay thousands of eggs during their lifespans.
Blight
If your ZZ plants are exposed to high humidity levels, poor air circulation, or warmer temperatures, southern blight can attack them any day. Blights are usually caused by bacterial or fungal infestations. They can lead to sudden and severe yellowing of leaves, browning, spotting, or an overall mushy appearance.
Aphids
If you come across strange-looking yellow marks or soft-bodied insects on your ZZ plant’s leaves, your plant has most probably been invaded by aphids. These green, brown, or black-colored insects are extremely tiny. So much that they blend in with the deep green foliage of ZZ plants! Not only do aphids feed on the plant’s nutrient-rich sap but also secrete sugary honeydew syrup that can lead to sooty black mold. This can, in turn, invite colonies of ants and worsen your plant’s health.
Spider mites
Spider mites are tiny arachnids (about the size of a pinhead) that happen to be one of the most common garden pests. These oval-bodied bugs have a reddish-brown or pale color tone and spin their white web all over the ZZ plant. Usually, they feed on the plant tissues and sap on the underside of the leaves. So, if you encounter tiny spots on leaves, discoloration of the leaves, or wilting of the plant, chances are, spider mites have already taken over your ZZ plant.
Whiteflies
Whiteflies are white-colored flying insects that can be easily identified by their waxy, snowy white wings. A whitefly infestation can lead to faded or yellowed leaves, stunted growth, and reduced yields. Whiteflies use their piercing mouthparts to feed on plant juices, eventually resulting in weaker plants that are more susceptible to diseases. Like many other bugs, white flies also secrete honeydew, making leaves sticky.
Gnats
Gnats are tiny, dark-brown, or black-colored, flying insects, whose sole purpose is to annoy you and damage your plants. If the potting mix of your ZZ plant contains too much moisture, its chances of developing a gnat infestation become twofold. For the most part, the kind of gnats that invade your home or garden is the non biting ones.
Mealybugs
Mealybugs are tiny, hairy, and sticky bugs that tend to feed on your ZZ plant’s sap. You will most probably find these white-colored, oval-shaped insects in your plant’s crevices, along the veins of leaves, or at the junction points between the leaves and the stem. These are slow-moving, and breed like crazy. A mealybug infestation would lead to stunted plant growth or wilted, yellowing leaves. An indoor ZZ plant is typically at a higher risk of getting attacked by mealybugs, in comparison to an outdoor ZZ plant.
Fungus gnats
Fungus gnats are gnats that feed on a fungus found within the soil. These delicate-looking gnats start as an egg and hatch as time passes. When in their larvae stage, they begin to feed on the plant’s root and the fungus in the soil. Although they won’t harm your ZZ plant in small numbers, they multiply very fast and can pose a serious threat. Fully-grown, adult gnats breed tremendously in soggy soil and keep buzzing around the ZZ plant. Both overwatering and inappropriate drainage holes can lead to fungus gnats.
How do I get rid of bugs in my ZZ plant?
Now that you know what sort of bugs can attack your ZZ plant, let us discuss some ways to get rid of them.
So, if at all your plant is facing an infestation, head over to one of the following methods.
Shampoo
You can consider using a shampoo to wash the bugs, especially when there is a mealybug infestation. All you need to do is, mix one tablespoon of shampoo with four ounces of water. You may store this mixture in a spray bottle and spray it nicely all over your ZZ plant, especially the underside of the leaves. Make sure you do this in the morning and wash off the solution using distilled water at last. For better results, continue using this method once every three days for two to three months.
Neem oil
Neem oil is one of the best organic methods to remove bugs from your ZZ plant. It works because it contains a toxic component that disturbs the minds of the bugs. As a result, they are unable to reproduce, suck the sap out of the plant, or reach their hatching state. To use this method, mix about one liter of water with 5 ml of neem oil. Put the mixture into a spray bottle and use it twice or thrice a month.
Rubbing oil and dish soap
For using this method, you require a few simple cleaning tools – namely – a spray bottle, rubbing alcohol, mild dish wash, and some cotton balls. First of all, dip the cotton balls into the rubbing alcohol and start wiping the affected areas of your plant. Alcohol does its job by dissolving the protective covering of the pests, which ultimately kills them. Next, prepare a solution by adding one cup of rubbing alcohol and a few drops of dish soap to 500 ml of water. Spray this solution on your plant to ensure you do not miss out on any remaining bugs.
Sticky traps
Sticky traps are small, yellow-colored, sticky bits of paper that attract flying insects and trap them. It is an easy-to-use, inexpensive, and non-toxic method of pest control that can be hung or strategically placed around your ZZ plant. These traps act as a protective barrier against flying bugs and are one of the most preferred choices to get rid of plant bugs among professional gardeners.
Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is another inexpensive, organic method to do away with bugs. Although it is a chemical, it easily decomposes into water and oxygen, which is why it can be used even in organic gardening. It works as a great houseplant disinfectant by creating an unacceptable condition for their survival. Just mix one tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide into one gallon of water. Mix it well and store it into a spray bottle. And voila! It is ready to use.
Shower the plant
This method shall only work when there is not a severe infestation. All you need to do is, shower the plant with a high-pressure water stream. Although this will not kill the bugs, it can wash most of them away. Be careful while you are at it and make sure there is no standing water left behind in the pot once you are done.
Horticultural and canola oil
If your ZZ plant has been invaded by soft-bodied insects, oils can come to your rescue. When oil coats the bodies of these insects, the small holes on their bodies also get covered. This prevents them from breathing and eventually suffocates them. Some other oils work by affecting their breeding and egg-laying cycles. Both petroleum-based and plant-based oils work fine, for example, canola oil and neem oil.
Insecticidal soap
Just like oils, insecticidal soaps work by suffocating soft-bodied insects, such as mealybugs and aphids. They also operate by causing cell collapse, which ultimately dries out the insects. They contain high levels of potassium salts of fatty acids and can be used to get rid of honeydew and sooty mold. Instead of insecticidal soap, one may also use dishwashing liquid and water.
FAQ
Why does my ZZ plant have bugs?
The typical growing conditions that can attract bug infestations in your ZZ plant are:
- High humidity. Most bugs tend to flock toward areas with high humidity levels to survive and keep themselves moist. Climate, soggy soil, and poor draining – all can lead to high humidity.
- Lack of air circulation. Lack of air circulation can lead to excessive humidity, which, in turn, can attract nasty bugs. Reduced soil drying gives way to increased fungal growth and a higher risk of pests.
Does the ZZ plant attract bugs?
Although the thick and rigid leaf structures of ZZ plants make them less likely to attract bugs, improper growing conditions can always result in pest infestations.
Do ZZ plants get spider mites?
Yes, ZZ plants can get spider mites. The reason is simple – ZZ plants prefer growing in dry, dusty soil, which can, in turn, invite spider mites. While you might not be able to see them with your naked eyes, you can easily detect their presence by checking for webs around your plant’s leaves and stems.
Why does my ZZ plant have holes in the leaves?
If you find holes in your ZZ plant’s leaves, hole-causing pests or diseases are most likely to blame. If you see holes but no bugs, slugs or snails might be the culprits. If there are smaller, more diverse holes with rough edges, chewing pests might be responsible. If there are small, seeping holes that later become yellow spots, sucking insects (like aphids) might have attacked your plant. If you come across holes that begin as yellow, wet-looking spots, chances are, your plant is undergoing some hole-causing fungal disease.
How do you get rid of scales on the ZZ plant?
To get rid of scales on your ZZ plant, do as directed:
- Prune your plant. If you discover the infestation at an early stage, make sure you prune and discard the infected stems right away.
- Use Isopropyl alcohol. Now, you may use a cotton ball dipped in rubbing alcohol to remove all the scales visible to the naked eye. While you are at it, make sure you do not use a solution containing more than 70% isopropyl alcohol. This is to ensure that you do not end up burning your plant.
Conclusion
The Zamioculcas Zamiifolia, or the “zee zee” plant, is overall a low-maintenance plant and is generally not susceptible to pests and diseases. All you need to do is make sure it is exposed to the right growing conditions. Although these hardy indoor plants are resistant to pests and diseases, for the most part, one can never fully predict the scope of an infestation. It is something that every houseplant can experience at some point in time. Most of the time, overwatering, high humidity, or lack of air circulation are the reasons behind ZZ plant problems.
With the help of this guide, we have enlisted all possible pests that can attack your ZZ plant, so it becomes easier for you to identify the infestation at an early stage. In addition, we have also explained different methods to get rid of bugs from your plant, so you know what needs to be done to do away with them.
We hope that our guide could solve your query and help you care for your ZZ plant in the best possible manner.
Happy gardening!