Zamioculcas or dollar tree impresses with its exquisite appearance. Thanks to its simple care, exotic is popular among professionals and beginner flower growers. The plant has been decorating window sills for many years, but for successful cultivation it is very important to know how to transplant a dollar tree at home into another pot.
Choosing a Pot for Your Dollar Tree
Zamioculcas prefers tightness rather than spaciousness. That is why, when determining how to transplant zamioculcas into another pot, special attention should be paid to the size of the pot: the optimal container size is 2-4 cm larger than the previous diameter.
A pot that is too large leads to stunted growth of the above-ground part of the crop. The dollar tree actively forms root tubers until they completely master the earthen ball.
Professionals recommend what kind of pot is needed for Zamioculcas:
- The diameter of the container is 2-3 cm larger than the previous one if the tubers are cramped.
- The shape is wide and shallow. The tubers of the plant grow very quickly and can be damaged when planted in deep pots - getting them out of the soil is very difficult.
- Material: plastic or ceramic. The gardener should take into account that when planting in plastic pots, their deformation is very often observed. When planting zamioculcas in clay or ceramic containers, the gardener should monitor their development: too much crowding causes the death of the bush.
Experienced flower growers recommend using a plastic pot for zamioculcas, and how to choose the size of the container. It is from such containers that the plant is easiest to get out of – the pot is simply cut. In addition, the soft walls of the container visually convey the growth of root tubers - this is a direct call for excavation work.
Plant characteristics
Zamioculcas is completely unpretentious and easy to care for. Difficulties may arise with the transplant, but if you know about all the nuances, it will not be as scary as it seems.
The annual growth of a dollar tree is only a couple of centimeters, and the height of an adult plant does not exceed 1 m. This slow-growing crop belongs to the succulent family with a very developed and voluminous root system. The roots develop quickly and fill the entire pot in a short time. The plant needs timely transplantation.
The plant's homeland is Eastern Africa, so Zamioculcas can easily live in arid and sunny conditions, and adapts to any climate.
Interesting features include the leaf of the plant. It is believed that small leaves grow along the entire length of the shoot; in fact, it is a complex pinnate leaf growing from the base on a massive petiole.
Flowering zamioculcas has an external resemblance to an ear of corn and is pale green in color.
When growing a dollar tree, you need to carefully monitor the lower part of the plant, it accumulates moisture and is responsible for its vital functions. An indoor flower at home can grow successfully for about 10 years, after which it will have to be replaced.
Interesting! Zamioculcas is a plant that poses a danger to human life. When growing it at home, you need to make sure that none of the parts get into the animal’s esophagus; for the same reason, it must be kept away from children. The highest concentration of poison is in the juice, so it should not be allowed to come into contact with the mucous membranes of the eyes.
Transplant timing
Zamioculcas is characterized by slow growth (if Zamioculcas does not grow, read our article). Young specimens should be replanted annually in the spring. Bushes at the age of 5 years are replanted once every 2-3 years only when the root fills the entire pot. A mature crop is not replanted at all. Once the bush has reached its maximum size, it is left alone. To renew the soil in the pot, replace the top ball.
After purchase, the zamioculcas is placed on a separate windowsill for quarantine. The plant is isolated for 2-3 weeks, allowing it to acclimatize. After this period, the bush is transferred to a suitable pot.
If the dollar tree is purchased from abroad, it is recommended to replant the plant immediately. The importance of quickly completing the procedure lies in the fact that many nurseries fill the soil with “harmful nutrition”, which allows the flowers to look gorgeous. But such soil is very dangerous.
Important ! All work related to transplanting zamioculcas must be carried out carefully and with gloves. Tubers are capable of releasing toxic juice when damaged.
Further flower care
How to replant yucca: choosing land and pruning options
After transplantation, it is necessary to care for the dollar tree so that it takes root properly, becomes stronger and develops properly. Even inexperienced gardeners can care for this plant, since it does not require any special skills. In order for everything to go smoothly, you just need to know about some of the characteristics of the plant and periodically check it for pests and diseases.
Selecting a location
Initially, after the transplant is made, the flowerpot with zamioculcas should be placed in a warm, dark place. After a week, you can arrange it in a permanent habitat. The dollar tree can grow in both shaded and well-lit places; it does not require any lighting at all. Adult large specimens can also be in the shade, especially if its subsequent growth is no longer needed. If you place the flower on a southern windowsill, then in the summer it should be protected from exposure to direct sunlight.
The dollar tree is a plant that does not like the absence of heat. The optimal temperature in the room where it is located is 25-30 °C in summer, and not lower than 15 °C in winter.
Humidity
Since under natural conditions Zamioculcas grows in dry places, air humidity is not particularly important for it. In this regard, there is no need to spray it, but the leaves must be wiped regularly so that dust does not accumulate on them. Once a month you can wash the plant under a warm shower.
Zamioculcas in the natural environment
Watering
Due to its growth in tropical forests, it is quite sensitive and demanding of watering. In the warm season, it should be watered regularly as the soil dries out and generously; in winter, watering should be reduced to twice a week. Too frequent watering is not recommended, since stagnation of moisture will lead to rotting of the roots and yellowing of the leaves.
If such a situation occurs, then the damaged leaves and branches of the plant must be removed, the soil of the flower must be dried and the watering regime must be observed. As a result of prolonged drought, the leaves may fall off. But even with the complete death of the upper part, with good, proper subsequent care, the plant can recover from tubers.
Zamioculcas branch yellowed from overflow
Top dressing
Sometimes the dollar tree needs to be fed. The first time this procedure is performed two weeks after the transplant. Then fertilizing is carried out twice a month with mineral complex fertilizers. Sometimes it is possible to spray externally with special complex solutions. No fertilizing is done from autumn to early spring!
Reproduction
At home, you can easily reproduce this tropical succulent. It is able to reproduce in three ways: by cuttings, by leaves, by dividing the tuber. The first two methods will require patience, since the stems, new leaves and tubers take a long time to form. Dividing the tuber will help to grow a new flower faster and rejuvenate the adult plant.
Dollar tree in office interior
Several young beautiful dollar trees at once will delight the gardener and decorate the space. It will be especially nice that the new bushes are not bought in a store, but grown independently.
Replanting a dollar tree is usually not a problem. After it, the phase of active growth and development of the plant begins. Zamioculcas care is minimal, but it can make a wonderful decoration for both residential and office spaces.
Dollar tree in home interior
Feng Shui experts believe that this plant will bring prosperity to the owner and ensure a constant flow of money. It is not known whether it will bring the desired dollars into the house, but it is obvious that it will fit perfectly into any interior.
Transfer rules
Professionals recommend how to properly transplant a dollar tree. By following the simple rules of breeders, you can achieve rapid development of tubers and the above-ground part of the crop.
Transplant secrets from professionals:
- Zamioculcas are handled very carefully without destroying the earth. The slightest damage to the tubers can lead to the death of the flower.
- Before removing the plant from the pot, press the sides of the plastic container with your hands. The procedure will allow you to painlessly separate the roots from the walls.
- Changing the soil under a healthy plant is strictly prohibited.
- The presence of drainage holes in the selected pot is mandatory, since stagnation of water and waterlogging of the soil is death for an exotic guest.
Important ! Tubers are planted in a new place superficially, carefully compacting them in the soil.
Is it possible to cut off the roots of Zamioculcas when replanting, and how to change the soil in the pot? Quite often, this procedure leads to plant diseases, and therefore the soil is separated from the roots only when absolutely necessary: the formation of rot or the acquisition of a flower in an unsuitable substrate. For such a transplant, it is necessary to soak the roots for 2-3 hours in soft water, wash off the soil, remove damage, sprinkle with crushed coal, dry for 2 hours in the shade and replant after laying drainage and filling with special soil.
Soil and drainage
When determining what kind of soil is needed for zamioculcas, it is recommended to be guided by its natural place of growth. The dollar tree prefers light, loose soil. It is the air permeability of the soil that promotes the active development of root tubers.
What is the best soil for Zamioculcas? The answer is - this is a ready-made soil mixture for succulents or a substrate prepared independently.
Soil for dollar tree:
- 1 part sand.
- 1 part peat.
- 0.5 parts of turf soil.
- 0.5 parts leaf soil.
- 0.5 parts of humus.
- A handful of perlite.
Zamioculcas reacts painfully to stagnation of water at the roots. Rot affects the tubers almost instantly. That is why, to create favorable conditions for development, laying drainage at the bottom of the container is mandatory.
The drainage layer should be at least ¼ of the pot.
How to transplant Zamioculcas
- Remove the “eternal tree” from the old pot. Throw away the used soil.
- Move the shards from the old container to the bottom of the new container. This is a good drainage layer.
- Separately mix pre-prepared soil, peat, leaf humus, charcoal, vermiculite.
Photo: Prepare the mixture.
- Fill about one third of the pot with the mixture, place the flower there, add soil, water the flower.
- There is no need to compact the soil. After watering, the soil will settle, then you can add a little more soil.
Photo: After watering, the earth will settle.
Transshipment
Healthy zamioculcas is transplanted using the transshipment method. Fragile roots require careful behavior by the grower. The planned excavation work is carried out in March or early April.
In the new container, the tubers of the bush are placed superficially, buried only 2/3. If you hide the roots underground, preventing the development of rot will be very difficult.
It is not recommended to delay replanting the bush, because overgrown tubers are very difficult to remove from the container.
When to replant
There is no need to rush to replant Zamioculcas immediately after acquisition.
When purchasing, it is not always possible to identify diseases and traces of pests, so the plant should be isolated from other indoor flowers.
On average, quarantine lasts no more than 3 weeks—during this time, the health status of the crop can be determined.
It is recommended to water the plant during this period only as needed.
After the specified period, they are moved to new soil.
The old one is not suitable for the active development of exotics; it is considered transportable and does not contain the necessary nutrients. In addition, it does not allow moisture to pass through well, which can lead to rotting of the root system.
It is preferable to carry out the procedure in the spring, but if the purchase was made at another time of the year, you do not need to adhere to this rule.
There is no need to worry about the fact that Zamioculcas is blooming at this moment. The buds will most likely fall off, which will not cause any harm to the plant; on the contrary, it will give strength for a gentler adaptation. The next stage will come in due course.
