ZZ plant
Zamioculcas zamiifolia
Also known as: Zanzibar gem, eternity plant, emerald palm, aroid palm
How do you care for a ZZ plant?
Light: Grows in very low light, including fluorescent-only rooms; best in bright indirect light. Direct sun can scorch the leaves. Water: Let the soil dry completely between waterings. NC State suggests about twice a month in summer and once a month in winter. It is toxic to cats and dogs, so keep it out of their reach.
About ZZ plant
ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is a slow-growing aroid from tropical Africa that stores water in thick underground rhizomes. NC State Extension notes it grows in very low light, even under fluorescent light alone, does best in bright indirect light, and does not tolerate wet roots. It is toxic to cats and dogs.
ZZ plant quick facts
- Botanical name
- Zamioculcas zamiifolia
- Family
- Araceae (arum family)
- Native to
- Tropical Africa
- Light
- Grows in very low light, including fluorescent-only rooms; best in bright indirect light. Direct sun can scorch the leaves.
- Water
- Let the soil dry completely between waterings. NC State suggests about twice a month in summer and once a month in winter.
- Size
- 60–120 cm (2–4 ft) tall and wide; slow-growing.
- Feeding
- Balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer once or twice a year.
- Propagation
- Division or leaf cuttings.
- Cats and dogs
- Toxic. NC State Extension lists ZZ plant as a problem for cats and dogs (calcium oxalate; medium severity). Eating the leaves can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Source: NC State Extension
Sources: NC State Extension: Zamioculcas zamiifolia; UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: ZZ plant; Clemson HGIC: ZZ plant
ZZ plant guides
- ZZ plant vs money tree: light, watering, size and pet safety compared
- ZZ plant care guide: rhizome watering, potting mix, repotting and propagation
- ZZ plant watering: let the mix dry out, not the calendar decide
- Snake plant vs ZZ plant: how to tell them apart, and how their care differs
- Low light houseplants: 12 plants for north windows and dim rooms, with pet safety
Zz Plant care at a glance
- Light
- Low to bright indirect. Tolerates low light exceptionally well. Grow lights: Does well under standard indoor lighting and grow lights. One of the easiest plants for rooms without natural light.
- Watering
- Water every 3-4 weeks. Look for: yellowing leaves if overwatered. thrives on neglect.
- Humidity
- Tolerates 20-50% humidity — not fussy about moisture in the air. Standard home conditions are fine.
- Temperature
- Comfortable between 60-85°F. Keep away from cold drafts and heating vents.
- Soil
- Well-draining mix, adding extra perlite.
- Pets
- NC State Extension lists ZZ plant as a problem for cats and dogs (calcium oxalate; medium severity). Eating the leaves can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
- Difficulty
- Beginner
Common ZZ plant problems, answered
-
ZZ Plant Brown Spots: Sun Scald, Wet Roots or Leaf Spot?
Brown spots on a ZZ plant most often come from direct sun scalding the leaflets, or from mix that stays wet and damages the roots and rhizomes. Small brown spots with yellow rims, or water-soaked spots, point to a leaf spot disease.
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ZZ Plant Mealybugs: Where They Hide and How to Clear Them
White, cottony tufts on a ZZ plant, under the leaflets, where leaflets join the stalk, or at the base of the stalks, are mealybugs. ZZ is rarely troubled by pests, so they usually arrive on another plant. Flat, brown, immobile bumps are scale instead.
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ZZ Plant Gnats: Control Them by Watering Less
Small dark flies running over a ZZ plant's mix or hovering near it are fungus gnats. Their larvae need mix that stays damp, so gnats in a ZZ pot almost always mean it is being watered more often than a water-storing rhizome plant needs.
Questions about ZZ plant
Is ZZ plant toxic to cats and dogs?
NC State Extension lists ZZ plant as a problem for cats and dogs (calcium oxalate; medium severity). Eating the leaves can cause vomiting and diarrhea.
How fast does ZZ plant grow?
ZZ plant grows at a slow rate indoors. Typical mature size: 2-3 ft indoors.
How do I propagate ZZ plant?
Propagate ZZ plant by stem cutting or rhizome division.
Is ZZ plant easy to care for?
ZZ plant is rated beginner difficulty. It is a good choice for beginners.
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