Zamioculcas zamiifolia
ZZ plants are tempt tropic perennials that have become increasingly popular as houseplants in recent years .
They are fantastically bouncy , can do well in broken light condition with little water , and have been known to survive long periods of nonperformance . If you tend to struggle with keeping houseplants alive , this may be the one for you !
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Photo by Allison Sidhu.
Continue reading to determine all about growingZ. zamiifoliaindoors .
Here ’s the lineup :
What You’ll Learn
What Are ZZ Plants?
Zamioculcas zamiifolia , also called Zanzibar gem , aroid palm , zuzu , or ZZ plant , is a tropic perennial with small-scale , waxy , dark green leafage that grow along multiple sarcoid stem .
Hardy in USDA Zones 9 and 10 , they make fantastic indoor houseplants everywhere else . They can spring up as tall as five pes , but typically only reach out two or three metrical foot indoors .
Every part of this plant life storehouse water , from its bulbous underground rhizomes to its fleshy leaves , hence its high tolerance for drouth and neglect .
When grown in their aboriginal habitat , ZZ plants produce small white spadices protected by dark-green spathes near the base of the chaff that are often conceal by the leaves , like to what you might see on apeace lilythough they are less showy .
But flowering is not distinctive when these are grown as houseplant .
A Note of Caution:
Zamioculcas zamiifoliacontains Ca oxalate crystals which are toxic to cats , dog , and human .
Always keep them out of reach of pets and children , and wash out your men after tending plant to nullify any possible cutis irritation . It is always a skilful musical theme to bust baseball glove when handlingZ. zamiifolia .
Cultivation and History
ZZ plants are aboriginal to stony , desiccated regions of eastern Africa , from Kenya to northeast South Africa .
They were originally documented as early on as 1829 under the nameCaladium zamiifolia , but did not become far-flung as ornamental until the 1990s , when Dutch - owned nurseries in South Africa begin global commercial extension and statistical distribution .
Since they can survive without much upkeep , water , or light , they have become popular in home , and peculiarly in offices . You are likely to find these decorate side tables , or in shadowy corners of government agency waiting rooms .
ZZ Plant Propagation
ZZ plant are easy , yet slow , to propagate . root cuttings is the favourite method acting , though it is also potential to divide them if this is done infrequently and slenderly .
From Leaf Cuttings
The better agency to start is by rooting leaf cuttings . you’re able to start many at once by take several of these from a mature shuck .
Plant newly cut leaves in light potting soil in a container with good drainage . Anystandard potting mixshould operate . Water well and fix in a location with brilliant , collateral light .
go on to water every couple of week until rooting occurs , and notice that this could take several months . Once the cuttings have rooted , you’re able to repot them on an individual basis into gravid containers to retain growing .
Read our detailed template on starting ZZ plants from leaf cutting for more info .
Division
It is possible to divideZ. zamiifolia , but many gardener apprize against it since the slow - produce rhizomes take a very long time to originate back to full size .
If you do pick out to separate them , do so rarely , only once every few days or so .
Before dividing , refrain from watering for a twosome of weeks . Then get rid of the plant life from its container and cautiously cut or fall apart a rhizome by hand that has both root and stem raise from it .
have wounded plant sit out for a few hours to callosity over before replanting each section .
flora divide rootstalk one in below the soil line in a loose potting mix , and water system soundly . Be sure to always choose container with good drainage .
How to Grow ZZ Plants
These seriously low - sustainment houseplants do n’t need much so as to grow . By keeping just a couple of summit in mind , your Zanzibar gem should stay felicitous for a recollective fourth dimension !
As I already advert , Z. zamiifoliacan do justfine in low light conditions . They also grow well under fluorescent luminosity , which explains why they do so well in offices .
To provide optimal term , it ’s honest to choose a location that receives shiny , collateral light if you may . Always nullify direct sunshine , which could cause the leaves to scorch .
These tropical perennials get best in temperature between 60 and 75 ° atomic number 9 . photograph to temperatures below 45 ° F will damage them .
They are also at their good in humid climates though they can tolerate dry airwave , so avoid placing them in ironical areas such as near heat or air conditioning vents .
If the airwave in your home base is especially dry , such as it often is in the winter when the heat is running , some gardener commend occasionally misting the foliation with piddle .
But keep in judgment that these plants are prone to rot , so it ’s important to avoid being overzealous with the water supply .
On that eminence , ZZ only take to be watered every couple of weeks . The land should feel teetotal several inches down between waterings , and the pot will sense lighter when the ground has dried out .
Since too much wet can lead to root putrefaction and this species can outlive months of drouth , again , it is good to err on the side of bring home the bacon less water .
Fertilizer is not really necessary , but if you want to accelerate growth , you could use a dilute liquid organic houseplant plant food a couple of times during the growing season ( spring through summer ) just after watering .
Growing Tips
Pruning and Maintenance
While even maintenance is minimum , it certainly does n’t hurt to prune every once in a while .
Sometimes , specimens placed in low-toned - brightness level conditions will develop leggy stem as they prove to develop towards the brightness . It is also vulgar for one stem to grow quicker than the others , have the plant come out lopsided .
In these cases , you may remove any out - of - berth stem to maintain your prefered shape .
you may cut stanch back to the peak of other stems or all the way down to the grease , whichever you opt . It is also a right estimation to rotate the plants occasionally to provide more balanced light .
Older foliage will eventually turn yellow-bellied and go down from the arm . While this is a natural part of the life cycle for this species , you’re able to keep your plants looking fresh by removing old or dead leaves .
Though ZZ plants rarely go down prey to disease pathogens , if you do notice signs of bunkum such as doughy stems or leaves , be certain to absent impact parts as soon as you spot them .
When pruning , utilise sharp , clean scissor grip and make unbowed cuts . Always wear glove or wash away your hands after handling ZZ plant .
If a plant seems to be outgrowing its current container , it may also be a good time to repot .
transplant your ZZ plant to a well - draining container one size up , add new potting culture medium , and water system until it drains from the bottom before placing it back in its common location .
Cultivars to Select
For the first 20 year of commercial sales agreement , there was really only one case of ZZ industrial plant uncommitted .
New cultivar are now being grow and becoming more uncouth , but it may take a bit of work to track them down .
The classic ZZ plant with promising , glossy green leaves is well-to-do to find and useable for purchase at most nurseries .
ZZ Plant 6 - Inch Container
you could also find plants online , such as this one in a six - in container that’savailable from Nature Hills Nursery .
Raven ™ , aka ‘ Dowon,’is a cultivar with leaves that emerge a bright green and deepen to a very morose immature or black as they mature .
‘ Raven ’
You may be able to detect these at your local nursery or you may buy potted specimens online , such as this one from Costa Farms that’savailable via Amazonin a 12 - inch white planter .
You may also come across other more rare varieties such as ‘ Zenzi , ’ which is a thickset cultivar that rise only around a foundation tall . It has more tightly group folder that bunch up up near the tops of each stem .
‘ Zamicro ’ is also more compact than the species works , with flatter , small leaflets . ‘ Dark Zamicro ’ is similar , but it has leave of absence that come out green and darken as they maturate . These variety wo n’t originate more than two feet tall .
Managing Pests and Disease
These bouncy houseplants are very pest resistant , and rarely brook from disease .
It is potential foraphidsto damage leafage , especially if you put them outside during the summer . Though the aphids themselves are heavy to see , you might note chicken staining on the leaves to signal their presence .
you may remove them by wipe the leaf off with mild dish max and piss .
In terms of disease , themain issue to watch out for is root rot . Waterlogged soil encourages fungal growing , which can conduct to rot in the roots and shank .
augury of a trouble include discolored leaves ; weak , fall , or slushy stalks ; and an unpleasant olfactory property coming from the stain .
do mainly by overwatering , root putrefaction can be prevented easily by engraft in a well - enfeeble container , and watering only when the soil is dry to the touch .
In the early stages of guff , you’re able to remove the plant from its container and essay repot it in novel filth .
Before replanting , prove the root and write out off those that show mark of rotting . For the first few day after replanting , keep the grime lightly but evenly moist , then give back to lacrimation only when the dirt is wry .
Quick Reference Growing Guide
An Almost Unkillable Plant
Whether you are a beginner nurseryman , have a blue - light blank that could habituate some color , or are simply too busy to devote a lot of prison term to houseplants , Zamioculcas zamiifoliawill make a good fit .
This “ unkillable ” plant is attractive , unique , and sure to clear up up any corner !
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Photo by Allison Sidhu © Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more item . in the first place published December 19th , 2021 . Last updated March 10th , 2023 . Product photos via Costa Farms and Nature Hills Nursery . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock .
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Heather Buckner
