Best Potting Soil for a ZZ Plant (and Can You Use Cactus Mix?)

The best soil for a ZZ plant drains fast and dries out between waterings. A bagged cactus or succulent mix works well, or you can make your own by adding perlite to regular potting mix.

Heavy, moisture-holding soil is the number one cause of rotten rhizomes, so this choice matters more than it sounds.

Check price on Amazon.

Can You Use Cactus Soil for a ZZ Plant?

Yes, and it’s one of the easiest options. Cactus mix drains quickly, which is exactly what a ZZ’s water-storing rhizomes need.

Some cactus mixes are very sandy and dry out almost instantly. If yours does, blend in a little regular potting mix to hold slightly more moisture.

A Simple DIY Mix

• 2 parts regular indoor potting mix
• 1 part perlite or pumice
• 1 part orchid bark (optional, for extra drainage)

Mix well and moisten lightly before planting.

Choosing the Pot

Any pot must have a drainage hole. Terracotta is a good match because it dries out faster than plastic.

Choose a pot only an inch or two wider than the root ball. Extra soil holds extra water. Clear nursery pots let you see when roots fill the pot.

When to Repot

Repot every 2 to 3 years in spring, or when thick rhizomes start to push against or even crack the pot. Water lightly and wait a week before the next full watering.

See my ZZ plant care guide and how often to water a ZZ plant.

Soil Questions