The Zamioculcas Zamiifolia or the ZZ plant is an extremely popular houseplant that has taken Instagram by storm. It’s a favorite amongst houseplant enthusiasts due to its beauty and low maintenance.
The ZZ plant makes for an excellent air purifier and keeps your home fresh. It has thick and bulbous stems that taper towards the end. ZZ also has small fleshy leaves with a glossy appearance, making the plant look like plastic.
This article will cover everything you need to know about growing and caring for the ZZ plant.
Table of Contents
Meet The Zamioculcas Zamiifolia: Basic knowledge and Origins
First discovered by Loddiges in 1829 and later given its scientific name Zamioculcas Zamiifolia by Adolf Engler, the ZZ plant is a tropical perennial native to East Africa.
It ranges from southern Kenya to northeastern South Africa. It is grown for its untroublesome nature and glossy foliage.
Zamioculcas Zamiifolia can grow to be about 3 feet tall and survive in temperatures warmer than 15 degrees celsius.
The ZZ plant is a great option for people who can’t afford a lot of time to take care of their plants. The ZZ plant thrives with very little care and maintenance.
Let us have a look at some quick facts about the ZZ plant:
| Family Type | Araceae |
| Common Name | ZZ plant, Zanzibar gem, Zuzu plant, Emerald palm, Eternity plant |
| Botanical Name | Zamioculcas Zamiifolia |
| Plant Type | Herbaceous Perennial |
| Size | 90-120 cm |
| Native Area | Eastern Africa |
| Sun Exposure | Indirect Sunlight |
| Soil Consistency | Well-draining |
| Soil pH | Mildly acidic (6.0-7.0) |
| Flower Color | Yellow to brown |
| Toxicity | Toxic to humans and animals |
| Common Pests | Aphids, mealy bugs, scale, and fungus gnats |
Varieties of The ZZ plant
Zamioculcas Zamiifolia ‘Zenzi’
This is a rare variety of the ZZ plant. Its leaves are more crowded and curly than the regular ZZ plant.
Zamioculcas Zamiifolia ‘Raven’
ZZ Raven is another gorgeous variety. Its leaves are dark purple to black instead of the usual vibrant green leaves. New leaves start out as green and transition to purple.
Zamioculcas Zamiifolia ‘Supernova’
This variety is not much different from the regular ZZ plant. The only difference is that its leaves are a darker green.
Zamioculcas Zamiifolia ‘Zamicro’
Zamicro variety is a miniature version of the regular ZZ plant. It grows to be no more than 2 feet. So if you’re looking for a cuter mini version of the ZZ plant, this one’s for you.
How to Care for the ZZ plant
Caring for the ZZ plant is a piece of cake. It thrives on low maintenance and surprisingly performs better if you don’t meddle with it too much.
All your Zamioculcas Zamiifolia will need to flourish is some light and watering once the soil is dry.
Sunlight
The ZZ plant grows best in bright, indirect sunlight, but it can also tolerate low light conditions.
Direct sunlight is not recommended as it can scorch your ZZ plant and ruin it. If you’re placing your ZZ plant outside, make sure it is in the shade.
Soil
The ZZ plant requires a well-draining potting mix. Most well-draining potting mixes should suffice; if not, adding perlite or sand to your mix will do the job.
Make sure the pot you choose has a sufficient hole at the bottom to facilitate drainage.
Watering
Watering this resilient drought-tolerant plant depends on the conditions it is being grown in. You should water your ZZ plant when the top 3-4 inches of soil feels dry to touch.
Watering every 2 weeks should suffice if your plant is in warm conditions.
If your ZZ plant is placed in a cold environment without a lot of sunlight exposure, consider skipping on a few watering sessions.
Extra care must be taken not to overwater the ZZ plant, this might lead to root rot.
Temperature
15-25 degrees celsius is an ideal temperature range for these unique plants to thrive truly. The ZZ plant is highly resilient and will thrive indoors if exposed to indirect light.
Care should be taken not to let the temperature drop below 15 degrees celsius as colder temperatures don’t bode well for these plants.
Fertilizer
During the growing season (spring), fertilizing your plant with regular houseplant fertilizer should be sufficient. Just make sure that the fertilizer is diluted to half its potency.
The ZZ plant stores its nutrition supply in its rhizomes hence does not require much fertilizer in the winters.
Potting
While potting your ZZ plant, make sure the pot has an adequate drainage hole. The ZZ plant needs a well-draining system to reach its true potential.
Re-potting
Re-pot your ZZ plant only when it has outgrown its container. This will be evident when the roots or rhizomes start brushing up against the pot and start bulging.
It is recommended to re-pot your ZZ plant during spring. You might have to re-pot your leafy roommate more frequently when it’s growing.
Pruning
Pruning is necessary when you feel your plant is overgrown and is lacking edgy appearance.
For the ZZ plant, removing whole stalks with a sharp object is recommended so that the plant doesn’t look odd or out of shape.
You should also remove yellowing foliage to keep the plant looking fresh and vibrant.
Propagation
Propagation of the ZZ plant can be in 3 ways. This video will give a visual aid in order to help you propagate.
Propagation by division
This method is perfect for when you’re repotting. Divide the rhizomes of your plant with one or more leaf stalks and place them in a separate pot with fresh soil.
Propagation through leaf cuttings
This method is ideal when you’re shaping your plant. Cut some leaves with a bit of the stem attached.
Leave these stems in water while they are exposed to sunlight until roots begin to form. Then transfer them to a new pot with fresh soil.
Propagation through stalks
While pruning, you can cut off an entire stalk from the base of the ZZ plant and place it in water. Once roots begin to form, you can transfer them to a pot.
Problems with Growing the ZZ Plant
Yellowing leaves
If the leaves of your ZZ plant are turning yellow and mushy, you have likely overwatered your plant.
This can further progress to root rot and drooping of the plant if not dealt with immediately.
You need to cut off the affected parts of the plant and let the soil dry out before watering it again.
Browning leaf tips
This is likely due to dryness, exposure to direct sunlight, or under-watering your ZZ plant. Relocate your plant to an area with indirect light, water it, and occasionally mist the leaves if you feel like they’re drying out.
Wrinkled leaves
Wrinkled leaves will be likely due to underwatering and prolonged exposure to harsh sunlight.
Move your plant to an area with shade or indirect light and make sure you are watering it enough.
Plant bent on one side
Your ZZ plant might be overwatered, causing waterlogging in the roots. This will compromise the support of the plant.
Let your plant’s soil dry out before watering again and place it close to sunlight.
Ask Away: The FAQ Section
Both these plants are in fact different forms of the same plant, the difference being the color of the foliage.
The common ZZ plant has green foliage, while the Raven ZZ has purple to black foliage.
The sap of the ZZ plant is toxic to both humans and pets alike. Although it is not deadly, it will irritate the skin.
If your pet ingests some of the sap it may experience diarrhea and vomiting that might need medical attention.
The ZZ plant is a highly resilient plant that requires little to no attention. It is also known as the heirloom plant signifying that it is passed on from generation to generation.
If cared for correctly, the ZZ plant will be your companion for a lifetime.
A medium-sized pot measuring 7-10 inches in diameter is sufficient. Whether you are potting or repotting, a medium-sized pot will be adequate for the ZZ plant to grow for a couple of years.
