Even gardeners with the blackest thumbs can keep ZZ plants alive with minimal care since they are low maintenance and easy to care for. Plants growing from rhizomes (underground stems) store water under the soil and do not require much water to thrive; however, do not fret if you forget to water your ZZ plant – they grow from underground stems that allow them to store water under the soil. Though it thrives in Africa outdoors, it’s best grown indoors elsewhere. If you want to grow it outside but are worried about bringing it inside during wintertime and possibly forgetting or letting freeze, then put it in a pot so you can move easily between both environments as necessary.
ZZ plants naturally have glossy leaves that can start to lose their shine over time as dust accumulates. However, never clean the leaves of a Zanzibar gem with commercial leaf shine – this will clog up the pores of the plant. Gently remove dust and debris from its leaves using a damp cloth instead to bring back some natural sheen!
How to Grow ZZ Plants
ZZ plants do best in bright to moderate, indirect light conditions; however, they are capable of surviving in very low levels of light such as those from a fluorescent bulb. This plant would make an ideal addition to a windowless office or bathroom where it would only receive artificial lighting.
While ZZ plants can take lots of suns, they will scorch when left in direct sunlight. The curled leaves are indicative of too much light; the yellowing and leanings are caused by too little. You may need to move the plant to a shadier spot or farther away from the light source; if this is not possible, you can use curtains or blinds to filter the light.
Caring for a ZZ Plant
The ZZ (Zamioculcas zamiifolia), or Zanzibar Gem, is a semi-succulent plant native to the semi-arid regions of Eastern Africa. They are usually found in climates where they experience long periods of drought interspersed with sporadic bouts of heavy rainfall. To cope with this difficult environment, the roots grow deep and thick while the leaves become succulent and soft – gathering up as much water as possible before it evaporates away.
This is a resilient plant that does well even if you’re forgetful about watering it. It does great in low-light conditions, so for those of us who work in the office all day, this is the perfect companion. It prefers indirect light, but will thrive just fine if you put it in direct sunlight too—which makes them great plants for apartment dwellers and frequent travelers alike!
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ZZ plant care: light
The zamioculcas zamiifolia is a succulent that has relatively low light requirements. This makes the ZZ plant an ideal option for offices, windowless rooms, or any space where it’s important to bring some life into the room.
However, don’t limit yourself to just these dark places! A zanzibar gem thrives in low light but also does well with bright indirect lighting – which is why you’re likely to see lots of growth at this time. Be careful not to give it too much direct sunlight, though!
How to water a zz plant
It is also very important that you not let your zz plant’s roots and rhizomes sit in water. Be sure to choose a pot with drainage holes so that all excess water can drain off quickly. When it is time to water, poke around the edges of the pot gently with a wooden chopstick (don’t stab the rhizomes!), and then carefully pour enough water into the soil until some starts flowing out from under it at the bottom. Never allow standing water in the saucer below!
What is a ZZ plant?
A balanced liquid fertilizer made just for houseplants will do the trick. Zamioculcas zamiifolia has been around for centuries, originating in drought-prone Africa (it does well outside). A couple of decades ago, Dutch nurseries located in South Africa saw its propagating potential and started distributing it around the world. And since then? It’s infiltrated every heart, home, and office worldwide.
Why are ZZ plants so popular?
The ZZ plant has just about everything going for it—it can grow in low light without throwing a fit and looks good doing it. With its wide, durable, dark green leaves that are glossy and waxy to boot; they reflect enough sun back into the room to brighten up any space. These plants don’t grow very tall or fast at all – so if you have a big apartment or an office where you’re afraid of running out of room too quickly – this is the perfect solution!
How can I propagate a ZZ plant?
ZZ plants grow from large, thick rhizomes that look a lot like potatoes. These rhizomes are reservoirs for water, so they do well in times of drought or when neglectful pet owners forget to water them.
Propagating ZZ is as easy as separating these rhizomes and replanting them. You can also take a cutting with two leaves and some stem to start it off faster. Growing ZZs will grow even faster if you put more rhizomes or bigger ones together.
ZZ plant care: everything else
Soil
To ensure healthy roots, it’s important to give ZZ plants proper soil drainage. If you have a pot with good drainage, feel free to go ahead and use your favorite potting mix; but if you want even better results, try adding some perlite or cactus-specific potting mix to the top of your dirt.
Fertilizer
A balanced liquid fertilizer—formulated for houseplants, specifically—is all you need to make sure your zz plant stays happy and healthy.
Light
The Zamioculcus zamiifolia can survive in low to bright indirect light; however, the brighter the indirect light, the better because it encourages faster growth and a healthier plant. If this hardy houseplant is grown in dim space, it often becomes leggy and loses its deep emerald green colors. Put this tough guy in direct sunlight without taking proper precautions first—and it’ll burn up or bleach out completely. You can grow ZZ Plants in full sun, but you need to either grow them from small seedlings or gradually introduce them to this environment over a span of weeks.
Water
These hard-to-kill indoor plants only need water when the soil is completely dry. Though they may survive without water for long periods of time, overfeeding them with too much can cause serious consequences! These tough guys store water in their thick stems and leaves, so there’s no need to keep the soil moist consistently. When you’re deciding whether or not it’s time to give your Zanzibar Gem a drink, just grab one and check how heavy it feels; if its roots are dripping with moisture, then it needs more hydration (and probably some sun). One easy way to tell if your plant needs a drink? Fill up a container with clean water and submerge every inch of dirt until its saturated–that way you know everything has been given enough water at once.
Temperature
This plant is quite flexible and will survive in temperatures from 55-85°F. It can even handle colder temps (though it shouldn’t be exposed to frost!), but this doesn’t mean that it needs an overly warm home either! As long as you’re keeping your thermostat at around 68°F or so, this tough little guy will be happy.
Humidity
All varieties of Zamioculi are apt for most household humidity levels. Ideal levels are greater than 50% (or 60%) – but even if you have less humidity, depending on where you live, they will most likely adapt! One sign that an indoor plant is being deprived of humidity is when it starts developing brown edges on its leaves. You can always increase the humidity in your home with a humidifier or place your plants on a tray filled with pebbles and water (this also creates a great styling opportunity!).
Fertilizer
Fertilize twice during the growing season with a 1⁄2-strength diluted complete fertilizer, once in the spring and once again in the summer as these plants do not like to be fertilized often. Organic fertilizer such as worm castings or compost can also be used; simply pour on a thin layer over top of the soil’s surface and evenly work it in with a small fork. Make sure to water your plants afterward!
FAQ about ZZ Plant Care
How can I tell if I am overwatering my ZZ?
Overwatering results in mushy brown stalks and yellowing of the leaves. Dropping leaves can also be an indication of overwatering. Hold off on watering and prune your plant. Once the soil is completely dry all the way through the pot then your plant is ready for a drink. This can take up to a month.
How can I tell if I am underwatering my ZZ?
Underwatering results in dry crispy tips on the plant’s leaves. If this is the case, prune your plant and increase your frequency of watering.
Can my ZZ tolerate really low light?
It can, however, this is likely stunting the growth of your plant. Also, the risk of overwatering becomes heightened, so take extra care not to be too heavy-handed when watering your plant in a low-light environment.
How often should I fertilize my plant?
In general, house plants will thrive when they are fertilized spring through fall. Fertilize once a month with an organic houseplant fertilizer, following the package instructions for dilution and administration. Greenery NYC uses an organic potting mix with a slow-release fertilizer in the soil, so your plant will not need fertilizer within the first 6 months of receiving it.
