Lanthanum and neodymium hydroxides coated on planar zinc electrodes, which are prepared by electrolysis, are found to lower the amount of zinc discharge products that are dissolved in an alkaline electrolyte. This reduces the dendritic growth and shape change of the zinc electrodes. The performance of these hydroxides has been assessed by cyclic voltammetry. Scanning electron microscopy is also applied to examine the morphology of the surface of the zinc electrodes before and after 50 charge/discharge cycles.