How to grow ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) (2024)
The ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) not only has glossy, upright evergreen foliage that looks good in virtually any location, it’s also one of the easiest house plants to grow. It’s tolerant of all kinds of conditions and neglect – it can cope with a lack of water and will grow in low light levels. It is virtually impossible to kill, making it the ideal low maintenance house plant for beginners. The ZZ plant is good at cleaning the air in your home, too.
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Also known as fern arum, emerald palm, aroid palm, Zanzibar gem, Zuzu plant, eternity plant and fat boy, the ZZ plant is native to eastern Africa. There, it's subject to long periods of drought, followed by a periods of heavy rainfall, and stores water in its fleshy underground roots (tubers). It became popular as a house plant in the 1990s, when growers realised it coped well with indoor conditions.
During the 2010s there were rumours that the ZZ plant caused cancer. This is not true: like several house plants, its sap contains calcium oxalate crystals, which can be mildly toxic if ingested. To be on the safe side, keep it away from children and pets.
Grow your ZZ plant in a warm, bright spot, out of direct sunshine. Allow the compost to begin dry out during waterings. Feed monthly in spring and summer.
More on growing ZZ plant:
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ZZ plant: jump links
Planting ZZ plant
Caring for ZZ plant
Propagating ZZ plant
Growing ZZ plant: problem-solving
Buying ZZ plant
Where to grow ZZ plant
Bright, indirect light is ideal, but it will also tolerate lower light levels. Keep out of direct sunshine. Make sure the temperature stays above 15°C all year round.
How to plant ZZ plant
Grow in a 2:1 mix of soil-based or peat-free multi-purpose compost and grit or perlite in a pot that fits the rootball. Ensure it has drainage holes.
Looking for a decorative pot cover for your ZZ plant? Choose from 10 of the best indoor plant pots.
Caring for ZZ plant
Allow at least the top 5cm of water to dry out between waterings, allowing any excess to drain away. Watering sparingly in winter and don't let the plant sit in soggy, wet compost. Feed with a house plant food once a month from spring to autumn. Repot every two or three years. Wipe the leaves occasionally with a cloth to keep them looking shiny. There's no need to mist your ZZ plant.
How to propagate ZZ plant
ZZ plants can be propagated by dividing the tubers. Take the plant out of its pot, separate some of the rhizomes, trim the roots a little and plant into smaller pots. Water in well. Don't do this too often, though, as the plant is slow produce new tubers. You can also take cuttings – remove a section that has around two leaves and a section of stem. Allow the base to harden over for a few hours, then place in a pot filled with a 50:50 mix of multipurpose compost and perlite. Place in a warm spot. It may take up to a year for a new plant to form.
Growing ZZ plant: problem solving
If your plant is wilting, or its leaves are wrinkled or looking lacklustre, its probably due to lack of water. The ZZ plant is drought tolerant but it does need watering once the soil has dried out.
Yellow leaves or a mushy bases of stems are due to overwatering. Allow the compost to dry out completely before watering again, and allow any excess to drain away.
If the stems of your ZZ plant are collapsing sideways, this could be due to too much water or too little water so check your watering regime and adjust accordingly. Alternatively, your plant may not be getting enough light, or it is too cold. Move your plant to a brighter or warmer spot.
Brown patches on the leaves are sunburn – move to a spot that has less direct sunlight.
You may spot scale insects or signs of spider mites on the foliage.
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Advice on buying ZZ plant
The ZZ plant can often be found at garden centres. Alternatively visit a specialist house plant retailer or buy online
ZZ plants are slow-growing, so buy a larger plant if you're looking for instant impact
Check that your plant has upright, glossy green leaves and no signs of pests or diseases
You do not need to prune a ZZ plant's new growth or give it frequent care. To keep your plant thriving, choose a well-draining potting mix, water it once every two to three weeks, fertilize it once a year, and guard against overwatering and too much sunlight.
Keep it out of direct sunlight which can scorch its leaves.Water: Water thoroughly and allow the top 5 cm of soil to dry out between waterings. Soggy soil will cause the rhizomes to rot. Despite being drought-tolerant, your ZZ will be healthiest with regular watering.
To encourage growth in your ZZ plant, ensure it gets moderate indirect light, water it when the soil is dry (about every 2-3 weeks), and use well-draining soil.
Are ZZ Plant easy to care for? The ZZ Plant is a low-maintenance houseplant. There is not much you will need to take into account, aside from the water and light levels into account; that said, fertilizing every six months, or even monthly in the growing season, will provide additional nourishment.
I water my zz plant once every 5–6 weeks. It can do well in a low light/med light/ high bright indirect light place. And make sure to keep the leaves clean by wiping them every few weeks. Its a really easy going plant.
A balanced NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) fertilizer is the best option for your ZZ plant. You can use granular, liquid, or slow-release fertilizers. Always dilute the fertilizer to prevent it from harming your plant's roots.
Place a ZZ plant in bright, indirect light. If your windows face south, east, or west, avoid placing the plant in direct sun because the leaves can easily burn or scorch. In north-facing homes, you can put it almost anywhere.
Above: A ZZ plant growing on Maui. Photograph by Forest and Kim Starr via Flickr. ZZ's one major drawback is that all parts of the plant are poisonous.
A month after planting, begin feeding ZZ plants with Miracle-Gro® Indoor Plant Food Spikes to provide a steady source of nutrition. Each spike is easy to insert and feeds for up to 2 months. Make sure to follow the instructions on the label.
If your zz plant's leaves are dropping, this means that the plant is dehydrated. You can check the soil with your finger and if the length of your finger is totally dry, give your plant a good drink.
Overwatering ZZ plant leads to problems including yellowing leaves. Older leaves fade and drop naturally but if newer foliage loses its shiny green color it's time to cut back on watering. Let the plant dry out completely and, if necessary, repot into fresh dry, potting mix. What makes a ZZ plant so unique?
Bright, indirect light is great for ZZ plants but not essential, as your plant will be content almost wherever you place it! It is also a great idea to rotate your plant, no matter where it sits, as this will allow for even growth on all sides.
Using a pair of sharp, sterilized pruning shears or scissors take leaf cuttings from your ZZ plant. Cut the leaves off as close to the stalk as you can and try to take a bit of the stem with each cutting. It's best to start between 3 to 5 leaf cuttings at once since success rates can vary.
The leaves of your ZZ Plant are naturally shiny and glossy, so no leaf shine is needed. Simply wipe them with a damp cloth or mist them occasionally to keep them dust free.
Place a ZZ plant in bright, indirect light. If your windows face south, east, or west, avoid placing the plant in direct sun because the leaves can easily burn or scorch. In north-facing homes, you can put it almost anywhere.
ZZ plants grow best in well-draining soils. Normally, the houseplant potting soils you can find in the stores are good. If you want to ensure better drainage, you can mix the soil with some perlite, orchid bark chips, or horticultural charcoal.
Introduction: My name is Mr. See Jast, I am a open, jolly, gorgeous, courageous, inexpensive, friendly, homely person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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