ZZ plants are great, they are attractive and easy to care for. Yet there is one big problem that some people experience with this plant: black spots on ZZ Plant leaves and stem problems. This can be a major issue if left untreated, so it’s important to know how to get rid of the problem and prevent it from coming back in the future!
In this article, we will go over the what, why, and how to get rid of ZZ Plant black spots so you can have a beautiful plant once again.
why ZZ plants have black spots on leaves?
Black spot on ZZ plants caused by fungal or bacterial infections. This problem starts overwatering and humid conditions with the root system and spreads to the stem and leaves as it grows. A soggy environment of the plant pot allows fungal and bacterial pathogens to grow, causing black spots.
Black spots usually show at the base of the leaf, tips of the leaves, edge of the leaf, and eventually spreads to the entire plant. Bacterial blight appears on new growth, affecting both young leaves and stems of new shoots. Large, irregular black spots with yellow halos around them characterize them. These spots enlarge and merge, causing the leaves to wilt and die.
Dark radial lines which appear in concentric circles around the black spots marked bacterial blight. This black stuff on ZZ Plant stems can be caused by secondary fungal infection because of the presence of bacteria and causes stem rot too.
When it comes to fungus, sooty mold is the most known disease caused by this, and it appears when ZZ plant leaves that rang because of fungus and possibly bacteria.
You can track this problem earlier by taking some close looks before it becomes a major issue. Black spots usually start with a yellow circle at first and then turn black slowly with the yellow line around. Keep your eyes open and check the leaves often so you can track this problem early.
why ZZ plants have black spots on stems?
The black spot on the ZZ plant is natural as long as it feels the spots are part of the stem. Mushy black spots on the stem caused the bacterial or fungal infection. As the infection grows worse, black spots cover the entire stem, and eventually the whole plant.
The black spot of ZZ plant stems is caused by fungal or bacterial infections that occur once your plant pot has gotten too wet for a prolonged period.
If your ZZ plants stem seems to have natural spots, you have nothing to worry about. it’s an all-natural way they look. Be cautious about if it’s that or if it’s caused by fungus.
One way to find out if it is a fungus or bacterial problem is to look at the stem closely and identify if those spots are slimy or mushy and it doesn’t add to the stem naturally. If it’s slimy, that means it is a fungus or bacterial problem.
how to get rid of black spots of zz plant?
Here are some easy quick steps you can take for black spots on your ZZ pant :
cut off infected leaves
First and foremost, cut off any leaves that are infected. This will help stop the spread of the infection and will also make the plant look better until it can recover.
cut off the stem if it has too many infected leaves
If a stem has too many infected leaves, it’s best to cut the stem off completely. This will help stop the infection from spreading any further and will also help the plant focus its energy on regrowth.
Burn those infected leaves and stem
After cutting those infected leaves and stems, you should burn them. Don’t put those in your compost bin, as it can spread them to other plants. Burning them will help kill any of the bacteria or fungus and will help keep them from spreading.
sanitize your tools
It’s important to sanitize your tools between uses to prevent any further spread of the infection. You can do this by using a bleach solution or by using heat to kill any bacteria or fungus.
Apply a fungicide
If you suspect that your plant has a fungal infection, you can apply a fungicide to help stop the fungus from spreading. Be sure to follow the directions on the fungicide carefully to get the best results.
Apply Neem oil
We know neem oil for its antibacterial and antifungal properties, so it’s great at preventing and treating any infections on your ZZ Plant. Mix a few drops of Neem oil with water and apply it to the plant as directed (usually you will mix it with some kind of soap or detergent).
Repot the plant with new soil
If you think your plant pot causes the black spots, you can report the plant with new soil. This will help create a new, sterile environment for the plant to grow in.
clean affected areas with hydrogen peroxide
Plain old hydrogen peroxide is the go-to for cleaning off infections and getting rid of black spots on the ZZ Plant. Dilute the H2O2 at a rate of 1 part H2O2 to 4 parts water and soak a paper towel or cotton swab in it and wipe down the areas.
A long soak in hydrogen peroxide
If you suspect that there is an infection on the stem of your ZZ Plant, you can try to take it out and soak it for a few hours or days (if necessary) in hydrogen peroxide solution. This will usually kill off any infections that are on the plant before they get out of hand.
Increase airflow around the plant
Increasing the airflow in the room where your ZZ Plant is will help prevent further fungal infections. We can also accomplish this by using a small fan that will blow on the plant.
make sure plants are symptom-free for a month or more
Finally, once you’ve cut the stem off your ZZ plant, you must wait for a month or more to see if any new infections startup. This will give your plant its best chance at recovery. It’s probably there won’t be any more problems with infections after this time has passed.
Prevention of further black spot on your ZZ plant
Some basic regular steps will help you keep your ZZ plant black spots free. here are some tips to follow.
Ensure good airflow
As mentioned before, good airflow is key in preventing fungal infections. Have a pleasant space around the ZZ plant to ensure that no spores can settle in.
Keep it in a clean environment
This is the key. If your ZZ plant is in an environment where there are many dust particles and dirt, then you should take special care to remove them before the infections start. Keeping the plant in a clean environment will help keep it disease-free.
Use clean tools
Make sure every gardening tool you use on your ZZ plant is clean and sterilized. This will help prevent any infections from being transferred to the plant.
When removing diseased leaves, use clean tools for each leaf. This will help prevent any spread of the infection to other parts of the plant. Also, sanitize your tools between uses to prevent further infections from occurring.
Water and fertilize properly
Watering and fertilizing your ZZ plant correctly will help it grow healthy. This will also reduce the chances of developing any fungal infections.
Watering and fertilizing your ZZ plant correctly will help it grow healthy. This will also reduce the chances of developing any fungal infections.
Conclusion
ZZ plants are one of the easiest plants to care for. With just a few basic steps, you can prevent any black spots from appearing on your plant. Following these tips will help keep your plant healthy and looking its best. If you encounter any black spots on your ZZ plant, don’t worry – there are many ways to treat it and get your plant back to its former glory.
If you are having issue with brown leaves of zz plant you can read this article.
Thanks for reading!
