With good care and a suitable location, the Zamioculcas has enough defenses to make life difficult for fungi, lice, etc. In addition, the various plant diseases caused by fungi, viruses or bacteria are very rarely found on the plant, which is also known as the lucky feather. If you notice any pathological changes, you should react quickly and appropriately.
How can Zamioculcas diseases be treated?
Zamioculcas diseases can arise from care errors such as incorrect water supply, fertilization or choice of location and can manifest themselves as leaf spots, wilting or stunted growth. To combat them, identify the cause and adjust care accordingly.
The diagnosis is made before treatment
Diseases and pests on the Zamioculcas (and of course on any other plant!) can only be successfully combated if you have clearly identified the damage. Here you will find a list of the most common causes.
Identifying care errors
Incorrect water supply, too much or too little fertilizer, temperatures that are too high or an unsuitable location lead to pathological reactions such as leaf spots, wilting or stunted growth. A different location or better care is usually enough to eliminate the causes. A lack of light, for example, manifests itself in yellowing of the leaves; if the air is too dry, the tips and edges of the leaves turn brown; if the air is too humid, so-called “cork spots” form. Over-watering - one of the most common problems with the lucky feather - is reflected in the leaves turning brown and the shoots drying out - despite the moist substrate.
Illnesses often arise as a result of care errors
Fungi, bacteria and viruses can also damage plants. An infestation is often caused by care errors. Fungal diseases, for example, can be recognized by the typical deposits, cotton-like coatings, only partial wilting or leaf spots and pustules. For example, if the Zamioculcas is kept too moist, stem rot will quickly occur. This is caused by fungal pathogens. The affected stems become brown and rotten. Fighting it is hardly possible; the most you can do is try to pot up the affected plant and remove parts of the plant that are still he althy. Diseased parts should be thrown away.
Regular inspection for pests
An infestation with leaf sap-sucking insects such as aphids or spider mites usually manifests itself in deformations, spots, feeding marks, stunted growth or even a sticky coating. Check your Zamioculcas regularly for animal pests, especially spider mites! Many like to sit on shoot tips, young leaves and buds. Also look in the leaf axils and on the underside of the leaves.
Tip
Don't resort to poison straight away to fight it. There are a number of tried and tested home remedies available to combat diseases and pests. In an emergency, biological sprays (€117.00 on Amazon) (e.g. based on rapeseed oil), which are generally less toxic than chemical substances, can help.
