ZZ Plant Care: How to Grow & Care for Zamioculcas Zamiifolia (2024)

ZZ Plant Care: Quick Tips

I love houseplants with unique names, so it’s no wonder the ZZ plant immediately caught my attention.

TheZamioculcaszamiifolia,better known as the ZZ plant, is aresilient indoor plantwith dark green leaves shooting vertically upwards.

Anyone can care for a ZZ plant thanks to its tolerance for various temperatures and little need for constant maintenance.

In this guide, I’ll explain how tocare for your ZZ plantand whether it’s safe around pets and children. Read on!

What Is a ZZ Plant?

• Scientific Name:Zamioculcas zamiifolia
• Common Name:Zanzibar Gem
• Mature Height:3 to 5 feet
• Native To:Eastern Africa

The ZZ plant is a perennial native to East Africa. It naturally grows in dry forests and grasslands, so it’s evolved to be quite drought-tolerant and can tolerate low light very well.

It comes from the same family as peace lilies.

ZZ plants are succulents, meaning theystore water within their stemsand can survive months in the harshest growing conditions,like times ofdrought.

They spread through small oval-shaped rhizomes found underground through their stems. These slow-growing plants also store water within the rhizomes.

One ZZ leaf grows from each rhizome, and its newer plants have lighter colors. These colors range from bright to very dark green foliage. New stem growth may reach6 to 12 inches in a month, and the ZZ plant produces 1 to 3 new stems every few months.

In my experience, ZZ plants grow faster inearly spring to mid-autumnwithin temperate climates, but their growing season changes all year round in tropical areas.

ZZ Plant Care Tips

Though ZZ plants can survive on very little water and across various temperature ranges, they still need essential nutrients to grow faster and stay alive.

You can help it survive by giving it the proper light and enough water and maintaining a good humidity and temperature range.

Prioritizingsoil with good drainageis vital for all houseplants,especiallywhen temperatures and light levels change.

But what exactly do I need to care for a ZZ plant?I’ll cover theirtop requirementsfor better growth here.

Light

ZZ plants can thrive in different types of sunlight.

A ZZ plant lovesbright indirect lightbut may also tolerate low-light conditions. I recommend giving your ZZ plants at least six hours daily under bright indirect light, but they may even reach 12 hours during the hot summer.

However, direct sunlight isdeadlyfor this plant, as the soil dries faster, and the direct sun will cause its leaves to fade and wilt.

To ensure your ZZ plant doesn’t end up with damaged leaves, keep it in areasawayfrom the direct sun.Depending on where your homeis facingthe sun, a good ZZ plant placement is either by south or north-facing windows.

When the sun is less prominent duringthewintermonths, you can simulate the bright light ZZ plants love by adding a filter or shade over a light source near the plant.

However, since the ZZ plant can naturally tolerate low light, it is less necessary to simulate its natural light levels than its watering, temperature, and humidity requirements.

Water

ZZ plants need water to store within their stems and rhizomes to survive. Since they can handle drought-like conditions, I recommendwatering them every 2-3 weeks.

Before you water your ZZ plant, check its moisture level. Ensure the top inch of the soil iscompletely drybefore watering it. Overwatering is a common mistake that many plant owners can make, especially with indoor plants like succulents.

If you’ve overwatered your ZZ plant, it may experience root rot, which can lead to its death. Since root rot directly affects a plant’s root system, its signs typically aren’t visible from above the pot.

A common tell-tale sign of overwatering isyellow leaves.If you spot this on your ZZ plant, immediately change your watering frequency.

Check that its pot has a proper drainage system, like a hole underneath or on its side. Allowing the water to seep out reduces the chances of overwatering and root rot.

Temperature and Humidity

Oneof the reasons whyZZ plants are so popular isbecausethey can tolerate various humidity levels. They grow normallybothin humid areas and locations with dry air.

However, if your home has inconsistent humidity levels, you can use a humidifier to maintain a40-50% level.

Another way to increase humidity is by grouping multiple ZZ plantsnear each other. Place each pot near the others using a large pebble tray.

Keeping the surroundingtemperature within the 65°F-85°F range(18°C-30°C) is beneficial for the ZZ plant, as it simulates their native environment.

Going as low as 60°F is possible, but I recommend not going lower than this baseline.

Soil

ZZ plants lovewell-draining soil, allowing air, water, and nutrients to flow naturally through their stems and rhizomes.

Placing the plant in a well-draining potting mix helps ensure it continuously grows, even with little maintenance. A good potting mix includes peat moss, pine bark fines, or perlite.

The ZZ plant has a specific pH range requirement for its soil:6.0-7.0.

That said, Idon’tadvise using regular garden soil since it cannot tolerate too much moisture in the soil.

Next, let’s talk fertilizer.Givingyour ZZ plantorganic fertilizer greatly boosts itsgrowth, creating more deeply colored foliage and a healthier appearance during the spring season.

As a general rule, use adiluted fertilizer at half-strength.Avoid fertilizing this plant during winter, asthey’re dormant during that time and don’tneed it.

Pruning

Unlike some succulents or indoor plants, ZZ plantsdo not need regular pruningor maintenance.

However,it’simportantto removedead leaves when you spot them on the soil.Remember towear gloves while pruning,as the plant excretes toxic sap.

Propagation

Fortunately, it’s easy to propagate ZZ plants, whetherto speed up their growth or just for more ZZ plants.

These are mygeneral stepsfor ZZ plant propagation:

• Remove the plant from the pot and separate the rhizomes around its roots.
• Repotthe rhizomes with the stems and small leaves attached at the same depth they were growing in the pot previously.
• Use the same soil combined with some fresh potting mix when repotting to avoid transplant shock.

If the soil iscompletely dryafter propagation, water the plant and let it rest.

Common ZZ Plant Pests and Problems

Though ZZ plants are incredibly resilient, they still have their share of weaknesses. I’ll cover a few of them here.

Overwatering

The most common issue your ZZ plant can experience isoverwatering. If your plant has yellow leaves that droop unnaturally low, you’ve probably been watering too frequently.

Repotting is acommonsolution to this problem, but remember to be careful, as some plants may already have rotten roots and rhizomes.

Underwatering

Another common problem isunderwatering. Though this plant stores plenty of water within its rhizomes and stems, it may still die if it runs out of this source.

If either underwatering or its opposite occurs, adjust how frequently you water your ZZ plant.

Pests

Additionally, though ZZ plants are resistant to common pests, they can still betargeted by mealy bugs, fungus gnats, and aphids due to their sap.

My advice is to ensure the plant is dust-free and to add horticultural oil. Always wear gloves when touching the ZZ plant to avoid the toxic sap.

FAQs

I’ll briefly provide some more information about ZZ plants here.

How Tough Are They?

ZZ plants are tough, giving them a much-deserved reputation asideal hardy plantsfor beginner gardeners.

They do not require much watering and maintenance, and giving them sufficient light, water, and air is enough to maintain them.

Are They Pet-Friendly?

ZZ plants arenot good for petsdue totheirtoxic sap of calcium oxalate intheleaves, roots, and stems. Humans should alsotake carewhen caring fora ZZ plant.

If pets ingest this plant, they’ll experience diarrheaand vomiting, along withthroat pain.Since the same applies to humans, itis recommendedthat they avoid casually touching the ZZ plant or use gloves.

How Big Can They Grow?

ZZ plants reach3 to 5 feet,and their stems grow6 to 12 inches monthly.

Conclusion

From their unique name to their resilience and toughness, the ZZ plant is agreat option to add to your home.

Remember to keep it inbright, indirect lightand fertilized during its growing periods from the spring to the summer.

By keeping pets away from this plant and monitoring its needs, you can easily show love to your ZZ plant without extra costs and headaches.

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