A few months ago, I ordered a ZZ plant from Etsy. When it arrived I was so impressed with the size and healthiness of the plant, it was beautiful. But there was one problem, it was filthy. The leaves were covered in dirt and grime, and it was really distracting me from admiring my new plant. So I broke out the microfiber cloth and cleaned it up. Now it looks amazing!
What is the best way to clean ZZ plant leaves? Your options are: wipe down each leaf with a damp cloth, spray the plant off in the sink or shower, or dunk the top half of your plant into a bucket of water and swish it around. The best option will depend on the size of your plant and how easily you can move it around.
Whatever methods you use, you will need to make sure you’re using the proper water temperatures. ZZ plants are hardy, but they need to be handled carefully. Also, it’s important to note that ZZ leaves can irritate the skin. For that reason, you should always wash your hands after cleaning your ZZ and potentially wear gloves if you have very sensitive skin.
Why Clean a ZZ Plant?
You should clean your ZZ plant for the same reason that you clean other things in your home, because they get dirty! Dust and grime settles onto the surface of your plant’s leaves in the same way that it does on your counters and shelves. And while dust won’t kill your ZZ, cleaning it off can encourage it to thrive.
Like most plants, ZZ plants collect both carbon dioxide and sunlight through their leaves during photosynthesis. When a thick layer of dust or grime has built up on your plant’s leaves, it cannot complete this process as well.
Wipe Down Your ZZ Plant Leaves
The most common method I use to clean my own ZZ plant’s leaves is a simple wipe down. To do so, I use a damp cloth and gently wipe the leaves, moving from the stem out. Be careful to support each leaf and stem with your other hand to avoid bruising or cracking.
Wiping down plant leaves can be more time consuming than other methods of cleaning, but it is a good idea for large plants or ones that are more difficult to move. Also, I find it is the best option for making sure each individual leaf gets the attention it needs.
If your plant is especially grimy, add a drop of dishwashing detergent to the cloth before wiping. Microfiber cloths or cheesecloth work well for cleaning your ZZ leaves, although a common dishrag will do. Be sure to ring your cloth out before wiping down your ZZ; you will only want it to be damp and not dripping water.
Give Your ZZ Plant a Shower
A quick shower is often the easiest way to clean the leaves of a Zamioculcas Zamiifolia, especially for plants that are large and yet still easy to move. This can be done in your sink or shower by using a low pressure sprayer. Simply use the spray to remove the dust and dirt from the leaves, being careful not to break leaves or stems with a high pressure spray.
Once you’ve cleaned the leaves, allow the plant to drip dry and completely dry out before you water it again. ZZ plants do not like to sit in soggy soil. Because of this, ZZs should be in a container with a drainage hole to assist in draining soil quickly. If your planter does not have a drainage hole, do not wash your ZZ in this way. Instead, use the wipe down method mentioned above and consider moving your plant to another pot.
It is important that you use lukewarm water when showering a ZZ plant. All houseplants are sensitive to extreme conditions and very hot or very cold water can shock your plant and cause damage to the leaves or root system.
Give Your ZZ Plant a Dunk
The quickest way to clean the leaves of your smaller ZZs is by dunking them into a bucket of water and swishing them around. To do this, place your hand over the soil to keep it in place, then flip your ZZ upside down, placing its leaves into a bucket of lukewarm water, and swish the plant back and forth. Be careful not to use excessive force when doing this as being overly rough can cause ZZ stems to snap.
There are a few tips that can help to keep the soil in place while cleaning your ZZ plant in this way. The first is to water the soil before flipping it. When the soil is wet and your hand is stretched over it, the soil will mostly stay in place. Also, if you’re concerned about losing soil, use cling wrap to wrap the base of the plant before flipping.
After cleaning your leaves, it is important to let your plant dry out. Again, ZZs do not like to be soggy so it is important that they have the ability to drain water quickly.
Cleaning Your ZZ Pot
If your ZZ plant has been in the same pot for a long time, it is possible that the container itself could use a bit of a washing. It is common for salt or minerals to form a white layer on the rim of your pot. If this is the case, cleaning your pot will be the finishing touch on making your Zamioculcas Zamiifolia look its best.
To clean a planter, gently remove the plant and set to the side or in another pot for safe keeping. Using a diluted bleach solution (one part bleach to ten parts water), clean the pot both inside and out. To get rid of the white layer of minerals, use a brush to scrub the area. Rinse the pot thoroughly and allow it to dry out completely before repotting your plant.
Stay Away From the Mayo Trick or Commercial Leaf Shine Products
There is a popular hack where people apply a layer of mayonnaise (alone or in a mixture) to the leaves of their houseplants and wipe clean to make the leaves extra shiny. I do not recommend this as it can clog the pores of your plants, interfering with their ability to photosynthesize correctly.
Also, stay away from commercial leaf shine products and things that promise to leave your leaves looking brighter. Water, and sometimes a tiny hint of dish soap, is all you need to keep your naturally green and shiny leaves looking their best.
Are ZZ Plants Poisonous to the Touch? Is it Safe to Touch Them?
ZZ plants are toxic to animals and humans if ingested but simply handling the plant will not poison you. However, some people do experience mild irritation on their hands from touching ZZs. Because of this, I am always careful to keep my hands away from my face and wash them thoroughly after touching my ZZ. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to consider wearing gloves when cleaning your ZZ plant leaves.
For more information on the toxicity of ZZ Plants, read this article.
Other Things to Keep in Mind
Water temperature is extremely important when washing ZZ plant leaves. If your water is too cold it can leave spots on the surface of the leaves. Extreme heat or cold can shock the root system of your ZZ and cause long-lasting damage.
When in doubt, think of a houseplant’s natural habitat. ZZs are tropical plants and would ideally grow outside in tropical environments. That means they are not suited for extremely cold or extremely hot rain. Lukewarm or room temperature water is what your plant needs.
ZZ leaves do not need to be cleaned daily. Depending on the conditions of the area you live in, your home may be more or less dusty than others. The simple answer is to clean your ZZ leaves when you notice dust or dirt building up on them. Cleaning every few weeks to once every month or two should be all your plant needs to continue thriving.
