How to Care for ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas) - Expert Tips for Thriving Plants

Zamioculcas Zamiifolia is one of the hardiest indoor plants ever. With its gorgeous dark green leaves, this plant can grow into a large, lush beauty. You may know it by its catchy nickname, the ZZ Plant or Zanzibar Gem. They are tropical plants native to Eastern Africa.

Good to know! When you take extra good care of her, it can actually produce flowers for you. This is because it is part of the Araceae family. This is a huge family, and there are approximately 3750 known species at this moment! These species are also known as Aroids.

This beautiful plant doesn't need a lot of attention, and it's great for making your space look more green. Plus, it can help clean the air naturally! It's perfect if you're new to taking care of plants or if you want to add a nice touch to your home or office.

ZZ Plant Care: 10 expert tips for growing it successfully

1. Give your ZZ Plant bright but indirect sunlight. It'll thrive in a bright spot, but be careful not to expose it to too much direct sunlight as it can burn the leaves.
2. The ZZ Plant is quite forgiving when it comes to lighting conditions. It can tolerate medium to low light conditions but won't grow as fast and healthy as in bright, indirect light.
3. Make sure its soil has dried out completely before watering it again. To check, stick your finger into the soil or use a water meter to determine soil moisture.
4. Don't overwater your ZZ Plant! It can be tempting to water it frequently, but this plant is susceptible to root rot. Always check the soil before watering it again.
5. Make sure you use well-draining soil. You can try using the PLNTS Aroids potting mix kit, which is airy enough and has good drainage properties to avoid overwatering problems.
6. Avoid over-fertilising it. Using liquid fertiliser once every month during spring and summer is enough. Over-fertilising can burn the leaves and damage the plant.
7. Don't repot your ZZ Plant too often. These plants don't require frequent repotting. Repotting too often can shock the plant and stunt its growth.
8. Monitor regularly. Look out for any signs of stress or pests, and if you notice anything strange, act quickly to take care of it.
9. Trim off any yellowing or dead leaves. This will keep your ZZ Plant looking healthy and prevent any pests or diseases from spreading.
10. Be patient with your ZZ Plant, as it can be a slow grower, especially in low light conditions. Just give it some time, and it'll eventually start showing new growth.

ZZ Plant Care Tips

Light requirements

ZZ Plant thrives in medium to bright indirect light but also does fine in lower light conditions. As long as you avoid direct sunlight, it will be satisfied. Finding her an appropriate spot should not be hard at all! Good to know! The ZZ Plant is quite forgiving and can handle the low-light corners of your home for a while. However, its growth may slow down and become somewhat sleepy in those conditions.

If you're lucky enough to have a 'Raven' ZZ Plant, remember that its stunning dark leaves need more bright light than the regular ZZ Plants. Don't worry if you notice vibrant green new growth sprouting from the soil – that's normal! As the leaves mature, they'll gradually develop their signature dark colour.

Watering

Water your ZZ Plant carefully, as it doesn't need a lot of water. Generally, you can water it once every 2-4 weeks, depending on how much light it's getting. This is because the plant stores water in its stem and fleshy and thick roots, so it doesn't need frequent watering.

If you notice yellow leaves, this is 99% of the time because of overwatering. Don’t water her unless the soil is almost completely dry, and always check the soil before watering it again. Remember that dry soil is better than wet soil for your ZZ Plant. It can tolerate drought pretty well, so don't worry too much if you forget to water it occasionally.

Expert tip! Because of her thick roots, it is advised to water her from the bottom, so it can soak up all the water it needs from her roots. Don’t let her stand on wet feet for too long otherwise, you’ll increase the chance of root rot.

Fertilisation

ZZ Plants are not heavy feeders because they are slow-growing plants adapted to thrive in low-nutrient environments. You can give her PLNTS Nutrition once a month in spring and summer. It doesn’t need any nutrition in winter. During winter, most plants enjoy their resting period. Also, the Zamioculcas grows a lot slower during this period.

Temperature & humidity

As long as you keep the temperature around 18-24°C and the humidity level around 40-60%, your ZZ Plant will be happy and thriving. They will tolerate low humidity levels very well. If the humidity in your house is rather low, the ZZ Plant can definitely be the plant you are looking for.

Repotting & soil

ZZ Plants have a slow growth rate, so repotting is generally needed every 2-3 years. Indications that your ZZ Plant needs repotting include roots growing out of the drainage holes. Your ZZ Plant will definitely appreciate a chunky soil mix that drains well. Our Aroids potting mix kit will give everything that it needs when it comes to soil.

Good to know! Don't worry if you see the ZZ Plant's thick roots causing its nursery pot to bulge or deform, as it actually likes being rootbound. However, if the pot becomes excessively deformed or is on the verge of breaking, it's time to give your ZZ Plant a new, slightly larger pot.

ZZ Plant propagation

You can either propagate a Zamioculcas through a leaf cutting or a stem cutting.

Just follow these simple steps:

The leaf cutting is best taken as close to the stem as possible. Once you have cut off the leaf (always disinfect your tools before taking cuttings!), place it 1-2 centimetres deep in the cutting soil. Make sure the side where you made the cut is in the soil. Keep the soil moist, and you should see new growth within two months!

To propagate a ZZ Plant using a stem cutting, simply cut a healthy stem near its base. Remove the bottom leaves, if there are any, and place the side where you have taken the cutting in water. Over time, new roots will grow from the stem. Once the roots are long enough, you can repot it into cutting soil. Keep the soil moist, and you should see new growth within two months!

Most common pest on Zamioculcas

Because of her thick glossy leaves, most pests do not even dare to come close. So overall, is ZZ Plant is a very healthy and strong plant. The mealybug might give it a try but still has a very small chance of succeeding. Do you expect any pests on your pretty plant? Visit our PLNTSdoctor page for a correct diagnosis and treatment.

Is Zamioculcas toxic for pets and children?

The Zamioculcas is poisonous to ingest, so it is best to keep her away from your pets and children. It is also advised to wash your hands after handling her, so you can avoid having irritated skin.

Buy your new Zamioculcas online at PLNTS.com

At PLNTS.com you can buy Zamioculcas online, like the Zamioculcas Zamiifolia.

Whether you like your Zamioculcas big from the start or prefer to grow them from tiny BabyPLNTS into full-grown PLNTS - buy your new Zamioculcas online at PLNTS.com