Why is my zz plant drooping?

A drooping ZZ plant usually means the roots are struggling with water, often due to being too wet or sitting in soggy soil.

Answer what you can see

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Push a finger two inches into the soil. What does it feel like?

Which leaves are affected?

Where does it live?

How fast did this happen?

You cannot tell apart overwatering, root binding, or lack of light just by looking at the drooping leaves; you must check the soil moisture and the roots.

The causes in full

Overwatering and Root RotMOST COMMON

How to tell
Check the roots by removing the plant from the pot to see if they are mushy, black, or smell bad.

What to do
Trim away all soft, rotten roots with clean scissors, then repot the plant in fresh, dry soil. Water only when the soil has dried through completely.

Root Bound in a Pot That's Too SmallCOMMON

How to tell
Lift the plant to see if roots are circling the bottom or poking out of drainage holes.

What to do
Move the plant to a pot that is just one size larger with fresh soil and drainage holes. Water only when the soil has dried through.

Too Little LightCOMMON

How to tell
Look at the plant's location and note if it is in a very dark corner with no window.

What to do
Move the plant to a brighter spot with indirect light, but avoid direct sun which can burn it. Water only when the soil has dried through.

Cold Draft or Chill DamageLESS COMMON

How to tell
Check if the plant is near a cold window, door, or air vent that blows on it.

What to do
Move the plant away from cold drafts and cold windows to a warmer spot. If leaves are blackened, trim them off; water only when the soil has dried through.

Pests (Scale or Mealybugs)LESS COMMON

How to tell
Inspect the undersides of leaves and stems for small white cottony spots or hard bumps.

What to do
Wipe pests off with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol or use a mild insecticidal soap. Water only when the soil has dried through.

Will it recover?

The drooping leaves will not perk back up, but the goal is to save the plant so it can grow new healthy leaves.

Stopping it happening again

Prevent drooping by checking the soil moisture before watering and ensuring the plant is in a pot with drainage holes.