A ZZ plant, Zamioculcas zamiifolia, has many names around the world: Eternity Plant, Emerald Palm, Zanzibar Gem, ZuZu Plant, and Aroid Palm.
It was originally found growing as an outdoor, flowering plant in eastern Africa but can now be found growing in tropical areas around the world.
It was a Dutch nursery in Africa that realized a ZZ plant would be a perfect houseplant and started to propagate and sell it world wide.
A ZZ plant is a member of the Araceae family and a close relative of the dieffenbachia, anthurium, philodendron monstera, and caladium.
The unique looking, almost impossible to kill ZZ plant, is a slow growing, upright succulent plant that burst onto the houseplant market in the 1990’s.
It became an immediate hit with indoor plant lovers because it grew almost anywhere and was tolerant of all types of care, except being over watered.
What we call the the stems of a ZZ plant really the leaves of the plant. These long, thick “stems,” 15″-20″ tall ( ) are covered in hundreds of small, plump, shiny green, leathery leaflets (not leaves) that are about 2″-3″ long.
During the summer and early fall the plant may produce small flowers hidden inside a 2″-3″ dark yellow or bronze colored spadex; flowering usually occurs when a ZZ plant is grown outdoors.
The roots of the plant are fat rhizomes, underground horizontal stems, that store water and enable a ZZ plant to be drought resistant.
In a lowlight, cool area, a ZZ plant can sometimes go three or four months without being watered; it simply uses the water that has been stored in the rhizomes to survive.
Temperature : Temperatures between 15.6°-26.7°C are best. When the temperatures is below 16.6°C, the cold air slows down the plant growth.
Lighting preference : These plants can survive in low light, but grow faster in bright, indirect light. Since a ZZ plant is a slow grower even in good light, in low light they rarely produces new leaves. Direct sun will fade and burn the leaves. Stems on a ZZ plant droop when there is not enough light and grow straight up when light is coming from above.
Irrigation of water : Over-watering is the main (and practically the only) way to kill a ZZ plant. This is a plant that stores water in its rhizomes and does do not like wet feet, so allow the soil to dry out before watering. Unlike most plants, a ZZ plant is very forgiving, allowing you to over-water a few times before showing signs of serious damage. Yellow leaves are an indication that the plant has been over-watered or severely under-watered. In very warm weather, a ZZ plant may need water every 7-10 days. In cooler weather, the soil may take 2-3 weeks to dry out. When you water, water well enough so the water comes out the drip holes in the bottom of the pot. Do not allow the plant to sit in the excess water.
Humidity : ZZ plants grow well in basic household humidity. Stand outdoors in a summer shower to rinse off any dust. Sometimes spraying with rainwater is very helpful.
Fertilization and feeding :Feed monthly when the plant is actively producing new leaves and every other month when it is not in a growing phase. Use a balanced, liquid plant food diluted to 1/2 the recommended strength. Too much plant food causes yellow leaves due to “nutrient burn”.
Flowering : A ZZ plant can produce little white, spathe-type flowers similar to the ones you see on a Peace Lily, but this very rarely happens when the plant is grown indoors.
Soil : Use a well-aerated soil that retains water but still drains quickly. Add sand to the potting mixture if the soil becomes too heavy and compact.
Toxicity :This is an extremely poisonous plant and very toxic to cats and dogs. Keep the plant out of the reach of small children who are tempted by the plump shiny leaves.
Pot Size : ZZ plants grow very slowly and need a new container about every two or three years. The new pot should be only one size larger and must have drip holes in the bottom. The best time to re-pot a ZZ plant is during the spring or early summer.
Pruning : Prune yellow leaves and bare stems as soon as they develop.
Diseases : ZZ plants are also resistant to most plant plant diseases, but quite susceptible to root-rot due to over watering.
Reviews
Clear filtersThere are no reviews yet.