Zamioculcas zamiifolia, fondly called ZZ plant, is an easy-going tropical house plant often recommended to beginner gardeners because it won’t complain if neglected. It’s perfect for experienced houseplant owners too who need a break from watering and pruning duties.
With their beautiful, thick, glossy, green foliage, ZZ plants always look good and instantly add interest to your space. Each stiff upright stem has six to ten pairs of waxy, oval-shaped leaflets arranged in opposite or alternate patterns, a few centimetres from the base all the way to the tip. Several stems emerge from rhizomes at the base of the plant and spread out in different directions to create a stunning effect.
The size of the plant depends on its age. Stems vary from a few centimetres in young plants to one metre or more in older plants. New stems are often longer and thicker than older stems as the plant grows and spreads. New leaflets are a lighter shade of green than the older leaflets.
ZZ plants don’t shed their leaves often. So, if given ideal conditions and left to grow unconstrained, one plant can spread out into a dense array of exotic foliage rather quickly.
How to care for ZZ plants
Light
ZZ plants are shade-loving plants that will get scorched if exposed to intense tropical sunlight. So, it’s best to place your ZZ plant on a balcony or porch that does not receive direct sunlight. You could place it in the shade of taller plants too. You could plant it in the ground too in a shaded part of your garden.
If you are keeping your ZZ plant indoors in a tropical region, place it near an east-facing or west-facing window where it will get up to four hours of bright indirect light a day. You can move the plant further away from the window or place a sheer curtain or insect screen on the window to diffuse harsh direct sunlight.
People often place their large ZZ plants on the floor because the foliage is better appreciated from a height above the plant. Check to see that your plant is getting enough light wherever you place it. You may need to raise the plant up just enough with a low stool or plant stand.
You’ve probably heard that ZZ plants are low-light tolerant, and maybe that’s why you are getting it. That’s fine, but remember that tolerating low light does not mean it loves darkness. Your ZZ plant needs plenty of bright indirect sunlight to survive and thrive. So, although your ZZ could survive further away from a bright window, it may not grow as fast or grow at all. Read more about how to give indoor plants the right amount of light.
When your plant is happy, newer stems come out thicker and longer than previous ones.
Tip: If your ZZ plant is not getting as much light as it should, you can recharge it by taking it out for about a month every two to three months. I like to leave mine out to get the goodness of the rains until I see new growth.
How often should you water your ZZ plant?
ZZ plants do not need frequent watering, because their thick foliage and rhizomes store up water to keep the plant going. So, you can get away with watering your ZZ plant once a month. But you should also check that the soil is dry before watering.
As with other plants, the rate at which your ZZ uses up water, also depends on the amount of light it is receiving. If your ZZ isn’t receiving a ton of bright light, it will require less frequent watering. You can stretch watering to once in six weeks depending on how much water the soil holds too.
It is important to check to see that your plant needs a drink before giving it any, otherwise persistently wet soil could cause the stems to rot at the base. Yellow leaves are a sign that your plant is receiving too much water. On the other hand, shriveled, limp stems are sure signs that your plant is very thirsty.
Water your plant only when the soil is almost completely dry. It’s safer to err on the side of caution and wait until the soil is completely dry. If you keep your plant indoors, be sure to let the soil drain completely before placing your plant back in its decorative container.
If you accidentally overwater your indoor ZZ plant, you can still save it from rotting by taking it outdoors to dry off. The warmer, drier air outdoors will quickly dry up the soil. Also, the plant will receive brighter light to enable it to use up the water faster.
But don’t despair even if you notice your plant is beginning to rot at the base of the stem. Simply cut the stem above the rot and propagate it. Cut off any rot from the rest of the plant, including the roots, change the soil and wait for the rhizomes to bring up new plants.
Best soil type for ZZ plants
ZZ plants can be grown in loamy garden soil as well as a general-purpose potting mix. If grown in a container indoors, it’s best to check that the soil for your ZZ plant does not retain too much water and remain wet for days. The ZZ plant does not have an extensive root network, so it uses up water very slowly.
How to feed your ZZ plant
I like to use compost for my indoor plants because compost breaks down slowly and will not burn the foliage. You can mix in some compost with the soil when planting and subsequently, mix in compost every two to three months or when you notice new growth.
You can also use a general-purpose fertiliser once in three months. But when using fertilisers ensure that your plant is getting enough light to use up the nutrients, otherwise the build-up could harm your plant.
If you live in a tropical region, your ZZ plant will be active throughout the year given the ideal lighting conditions, so don’t skimp on feed.
Controlling pests on ZZ plants
Thanks to its thick, waxy foliage, ZZ plants are relatively pest-free. Its foliage stays undisturbed by snails and mealybugs indoors and outdoors in the garden. Be careful to practice good plant hygiene and grooming, though. Clean the leaves often to get rid of dust.
How to propagate ZZ plants
This plant offers a variety of fun ways to propagate it. You can propagate your ZZ from a single leaflet, a single stem, or by dividing the rhizomes.
Dividing the rhizomes is the fastest way, though, because the new plant is fairly well established with roots already. To do this, remove the plant from its container and remove the soil to expose the roots and rhizome. Then cut the rhizomes with a sharp knife, to get sections of stems and roots to start several new plants.
To propagate from a single stem, cut off a stem close to the base. Let the wound heal for a day or two before popping the cut end in some water. Change the water frequently to prevent bacterial growth. New roots should emerge within a month. Plant the stem with the roots covered in soil once they are about an inch long.
To propagate by leaflet, cut one off along with the short petiole. Place the petiole end in water and change the water every few days until roots form. Plant the leaflet with the roots in the soil and wait for the new plant to emerge.
Propagating from a single leaflet is undoubtedly the slowest method, but you can get so many plants from one plant if you decide to use all the leaflets.
Now, do you see how every part of your ZZ is a potential new plant? That’s probably why they say it’s hard to kill ZZ plants.
Last words…
If you want to get loads of compliments as a green thumb, you should think about adding a ZZ plant to your collection. It won’t demand much of your time to keep it looking good, and even if you make a mistake with your watering can, you can still save your plant.
Thanks for reading.
