How to Cure a Zombie Villager
Master the art of zombie villager curing: trap safely, brew Weakness potions, feed Golden Apples, and unlock permanent trade discounts that can reach ridiculously low prices.
Quick Start
These items can reduce cure time from 2-5 minutes to as little as 30 seconds!
Locate & Trap the Zombie Villager
Find a zombie villager (spawns in villages during zombie sieges or from villager-zombie conversions). Trap it safely using blocks, a boat, or a minecart to prevent escape.
Apply Weakness Effect
Throw a Splash Potion of Weakness at the zombie villager. The purple particles indicate the effect is active. You can also use an Arrow of Weakness if you have one.
Feed the Golden Apple
Right-click (Java) or tap (Bedrock) the weakened zombie villager with a Golden Apple. You'll see red particles and the villager will start shaking - the curing process has begun!
Wait for Curing (2-5 minutes)
The zombie villager will shake and emit red particles during the curing process. Cure time varies randomly between 2-5 minutes.
Secure Your Trades
Once cured, the villager will have purple swirls and grant permanent trade discounts! Place a workstation nearby to assign a profession and lock in those amazing deals.
Brewing Splash Potion of Weakness
- Lingering Potion: Add Dragon's Breath for area effect
- Tipped Arrows: Apply Weakness effect from range
- Bulk Brewing: Use multiple brewing stands for mass production
Cure Time Optimization (Java Only)
Surround the zombie villager with iron bars in a 9x9x9 area.
Place a bed and workstation within 2 blocks of the curing villager.
Discount Stacking Strategy
Cure the same villager multiple times to stack discounts. Each cure reduces prices further.
Common Pitfalls & Solutions
What items do I need to cure a zombie villager?
You need a Splash Potion of Weakness (or Arrow of Weakness) and a Golden Apple. Optional but recommended: Name Tag, iron bars (Java), bed, and workstation for optimization.
How long does curing take?
Typically 2–5 minutes. In Java Edition, surrounding with iron bars and placing a bed + workstation nearby can reduce cure time to as little as 30 seconds!
Do I get permanent trade discounts?
Yes! Cured villagers grant permanent trade discounts. You can stack discounts by repeatedly curing the same villager, leading to extremely low prices (1 emerald for diamonds, etc.).
Why won't my zombie villager cure?
Ensure the Weakness effect is active before using the Golden Apple. Keep the mob loaded, safe from sunlight, and prevent despawn with a name tag. Make sure you're not in Peaceful difficulty.
Can I use normal Potion of Weakness instead of splash?
You need Splash Potion of Weakness to hit mobs from a distance. Brew Potion of Weakness (Water Bottle + Fermented Spider Eye) then add Gunpowder to make it splash.
What's the difference between Java and Bedrock curing?
Java Edition allows cure time optimization with iron bars and beds/workstations. Bedrock Edition curing is more straightforward but doesn't have these speed optimizations.
How do I prevent the zombie villager from despawning?
Use a Name Tag to give it a custom name, or keep it within your render distance. Named mobs won't despawn.
Can I cure multiple zombie villagers at once?
Yes, but each requires their own Weakness potion and Golden Apple. You can prepare multiple potions in advance for batch curing.
How do I get a Golden Apple?
Craft with an Apple + 8 Gold Ingots, find in structure chests (dungeons, mineshafts), or trade/loot depending on your version. Enchanted Golden Apples work too!
How can I keep villagers safe after curing?
Light the area well, add doors/fences for protection, and assign workstations + beds so they path home at night. Consider building a villager trading hall.
Related: Potion Brewing Guide • Mob Spawning Guide • Version History