How To Care For Plants

How to care for a ZZ plant (Zanzibar gem)

Zamioculcas zamiifolia

Care facts verified
ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia), the species that wants low light to bright indirect — copes with shade
Photo: MokkieCC BY-SA 3.0source

Built for drought, the ZZ plant stores water in fat underground rhizomes, so it shrugs off weeks without a drink and copes with everything from a dim office to bright indirect light. Water it only when the soil has dried out, give it a free-draining mix, and the one mistake that kills it is a heavy, regular watering schedule that rots those rhizomes.

Care at a glance

Light
Low light to bright indirect — copes with shadeOne of the best plants for a dim room or north window; it grows faster in brighter indirect light but never wants direct sun.
Water
Sparingly — only when the soil is fully dryEvery 2–4 weeks in summer, monthly or less in winter. The waxy leaves and rhizomes hold reserves, so when unsure, don't water.
Soil
Free-draining, gritty potting mixHouse compost cut with perlite or grit; the rhizomes rot in dense, water-holding soil.
Humidity
Indifferent to humidityThrives in ordinary dry indoor air with no fuss.
Temperature
15–24 °C (60–75 °F)Keep above 12 °C (54 °F); it dislikes cold, damp conditions.
Difficulty
EasyFamously hard to kill through neglect; the only real danger is kindness in the form of too much water.
Pets
Toxic to petsToxic to cats and dogs — contains insoluble calcium oxalates that irritate the mouth and gut if chewed; the sap can irritate skin, so handle with care (ASPCA).

Where it comes from

Native rangeDry grassland and forest of eastern Africa, from Kenya to South Africa

Propagation

ZZ plants are slow but easy to multiply. The quickest method is division: at repotting time, separate the potato-like rhizomes, making sure each piece has a growing point and some roots, and pot them up individually.

Leaf-cutting propagation is the patient route. Pull off a few plump leaflets, let the ends callus, then half-bury them in damp gritty mix. Over several months — yes, months — each leaflet forms a tiny rhizome at its base and eventually sends up a new shoot. Keep it barely moist throughout so the developing rhizome doesn't rot.

Common problems

  • Yellowing leaves and soft, mushy stems

    Likely cause: Overwatering — the rhizomes are rotting in soil that stays wet too long.

    Fix: Stop watering, unpot the plant, cut away any soft brown rhizome, and repot the firm parts into dry gritty mix.

  • Leaves dropping their leaflets

    Likely cause: Severe drought stress over a long period, or the shock of cold.

    Fix: Water thoroughly and keep it warm; a stressed ZZ sheds leaflets to conserve resources but usually recovers from the rhizome.

  • Tall stems flopping outward

    Likely cause: Reaching for light in a too-dark spot, which stretches and weakens the stems.

    Fix: Move it to brighter indirect light; the existing stems stay loose, but new growth will be sturdier and more upright.

Frequently asked questions

How often does a ZZ plant actually need watering?

Far less than you think — roughly every two to four weeks in summer and monthly or less in winter, always waiting until the soil is dry. The water-storing rhizomes mean a forgotten ZZ fares much better than an over-loved one.

Is the ZZ plant poisonous to touch?

The sap can irritate skin and eyes, so it is sensible to wash your hands after pruning or repotting and to keep it from being chewed. It is not the deadly plant some myths claim, but the ASPCA does list it as toxic if eaten.

Why is my ZZ plant growing so slowly?

Slow growth is normal, especially in low light. ZZ plants put out only a few new stems a year; brighter indirect light and a little feed in the growing season will speed things up, but patience is part of owning one.

What is the raven ZZ plant?

'Raven' is a popular cultivar whose new leaves emerge bright lime green and mature to near-black. It needs the same care as the ordinary green ZZ, though the dark forms appreciate slightly brighter light to keep their colour rich.

Sources

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