Just 1 cup of rice water for your ZZ plant (see the result)

Here is the simple trick: rice water, the cloudy water left over when you rinse rice before cooking. Give your ZZ plant (Zamioculcas) one cup of diluted rice water once a month instead of plain water, and it often wakes up and pushes brand-new shoots straight out of the soil. It is free, you make it every time you cook rice, and it takes about two minutes.

The ZZ plant is famous for being almost impossible to kill. It handles low light, forgets-to-water owners and dry air. The catch? It can sit for months without a single new stem. In this guide you will learn why rice water helps, how to make it, how much and how often to use it, and what mistakes to avoid.

Why rice water helps your ZZ plant

When you rinse rice, starch and small amounts of nutrients wash into the water. That is what makes it white and milky. Gardeners in Asia have used rice water on plants for generations, and it has become a favorite home trick everywhere:

• Gentle nutrients. Rice water carries traces of potassium, phosphorus and B vitamins. Very mild, perfect for a slow grower like the ZZ.
• Feeds the soil life. The starch feeds beneficial microbes in the soil, which help release nutrients to the roots.
• Supports the rhizomes. ZZ plants store energy in potato-like rhizomes under the soil. Healthy, living soil helps those rhizomes send up new shoots.
• No risk of burn. Unlike strong fertilizer, diluted rice water will not scorch the roots.

People who use rice water on their ZZ plants often notice new curled shoots poking out of the soil within a few weeks, which then unfold into glossy new stems.

How to make rice water

1. Put about 1/2 cup of uncooked rice in a bowl.
2. Add 2 cups of lukewarm water.
3. Swirl and rub the rice with your hand for 1 to 2 minutes until the water turns milky white.
4. Strain the water into a jar. Cook the rice as usual.
5. Dilute the rice water with an equal amount of plain water (1 part rice water to 1 part water).

Step-by-step: how to use it on your ZZ plant

1. Wait until the soil is completely dry at least halfway down the pot. ZZ plants hate wet feet.
2. Slowly pour 1 cup of diluted rice water over the soil for a 6 to 8-inch pot. For larger pots, use up to 2 cups.
3. Pour around the stems, not over the leaves.
4. Let it drain fully and empty the saucer after 15 minutes.
5. Repeat once a month in spring and summer. In fall and winter, once every two months or skip it.

Use the rice water the same day. If it sits for days, it starts to ferment and smell sour.

What to expect and when

• After 2 to 4 weeks: firmer, shinier leaves.
• After 1 to 2 months: new shoots breaking through the soil.
• After 2 to 3 months: fully opened new stems and a fuller, bushier plant.

ZZ plants grow in flushes: several new shoots at once, then a rest. Keep it in bright, indirect light for the best results. It survives in a dark corner, but grows much faster near a window.

Mistakes to avoid

• Using it undiluted every week. Too much starch can lead to mold and gnats. Dilute it and use it monthly.
• Fermented rice water. If it smells sour, toss it and make a fresh batch.
• Salted cooking water. Never use water from cooked rice with salt. Rinse water from raw rice is safest.
• Watering wet soil. ZZ rhizomes rot easily. Only water when the soil is dry.
• Putting rice grains in the pot. Grains rot in soil. Use only the water.

More tips for a ZZ plant full of new shoots

Do not rush to repot. ZZ plants like being a bit snug, and a pot that is too big holds extra water around the rhizomes. Repot every two to three years in spring, when the roots start pushing against the pot, using a fast-draining mix of potting soil with perlite or cactus mix.

Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth once in a while. Clean leaves shine more and catch more light. If the stems lean strongly toward the window, rotate the pot a quarter turn every couple of weeks so the plant grows evenly.

One safety note: ZZ plant sap can irritate skin, so wear gloves when you trim it, and keep the plant away from pets and small children who might chew on it.

Try it the next time you cook rice: save the rinse water, dilute it and give your ZZ plant a cup. In a few weeks, start counting the new shoots.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use brown rice?

Yes. White or brown rice both work. White rice gives a milkier water.

How often should I use rice water?

Once a month in spring and summer, diluted, instead of a regular watering.

Will rice water attract bugs?

Not if it is diluted, used fresh and the soil dries between waterings.

Does it work on other houseplants?

Yes, gardeners also use it for pothos, peace lilies, orchids and vegetable seedlings.

Why is my ZZ plant not growing?

Usually it needs more light or warmer temperatures. Move it closer to a bright window and be patient until spring.