The Zamioculcas zamiifolia , commonly roll in the hay as the ZZ works , is a dramatic indoor plant with shiny , emerald green , succulent parting and gracefully arching thick , sarcoid stems .
I first grow Zamioculcas zamiifolia myself in a house I had in London in the other 2000s .
The ZZ plant was being betray in our our local supermarket . I had never seen it before and I could n’t resist its shiny leaves and exotic appearance .
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There was a gloomy area on the landing place at the top of the steps in the house , perch only by a high fanlight . In houseplant term , this was a problem area – a bit like an area of wry nicety in the garden .
But , as it grow out , it was no problem for the ZZ works which expand there and storm me by quickly develop new stems and leaves .
The swell thing about Zamioculcas zamiifolia , though , is not just its ability to manage low lightness . It is also drought patient of , gain it one of the genuinely easier to worry for sign plants .
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What is more the ZZ works has air purifying character and has been show to get rid of volatile constitutive compounds ( VOCs ) from indoor tune , although the extent of its melodic line - cleaning capabilities in distinctive home environments is capable to debate .
So , this is a plant life that is both stylish , sound for your home environment and nearly perdurable , all of which is why the ZZ plant is such a democratic theatre plant life choice .
Zamioculcas zamiifolia quick care guide
Level of care : well-fixed
Caring for ZZ plants is straight . They are categorised as ‘ easy ’ due to their minimal caution essential . They can endure periods of nonperformance , realize them ideal for meddlesome people or those new to set caution .
story of caution definition
All about Zamioculcas zamiifolia
The ZZ flora , is a stemless tropic herbaceous perennial native to the foothill and lowlands forests of eastern Africa .
It has a fleshy rhizomatous etymon system , which stores water and helps the plant survive drouth – which is why it can tolerate some neglect when grown indoors .
Zamioculcas zamiifolia only became available as an indoor plant in the previous nineties , when Dutch nurseries began to cultivate and distribute it widely . But it soon became improbably popular , partly because of its prominent appearance but also because of its other attribute .
In 2002 , the Florida Nurserymen and Growers Association named Zamioculcas a “ Florida Plant of the Year ” .
Zamioculcas zamiifolia key facts
ZZ Plant
US Buyers
UK Buyers
How to grow Zamioculcas zamiifolia: the detailed guide
As we ’ve seen , the stunner of the ZZ plant , especially for novel sign of the zodiac plant enthusiast , is that it can cope with a chain of mountains of atmospheric condition and is forgiving if leave behind to make it on its own resource for a while .
Nevertheless , there are some details worth know when it comes to front after the ZZ plant and we cover them in this department .
you’re able to also read more about looking after sign plants in cosmopolitan in our comprehensive guide to the 7 decisive requirements ofhouse flora carehere .
Light
The ZZ flora is renowned for its adaptability to various lighting experimental condition , which contributes importantly to its popularity . It fly high in burnished indirect light but can also flourish in low - Christ Within interiors where other plant may struggle . This make it a viable choice for room with circumscribed born light , as per the instance of my upper landing above .
In optimal luminance conditions , the ZZ plant displays its characteristic lush , shiny foliage to full gist . If the industrial plant receives too petty light , it may become leggy as it stretches towards the skinny light source . Conversely , if it is display to too much direct sunlight , the leaves may turn yellowy browned and evolve dry , crispy edge .
However , mind : the ZZ plant ’s tolerance for low luminosity does n’t mean it will flourish in very dark corners . The works ’s growth can be slower in such conditions , and while it may outlive , for optimal health and growing , place it in a blank where it take in bright , indirect light . This could be near a window with vaporous curtains or in a well - lit room with undecomposed rude or unreal brightness .
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Soil and feeding
practice a well - drain soil mixture . Fertilise sparingly to avoid common salt buildup , which can harm the fleshy rhizomes and etymon .
It is best to use a dilute balanced liquid fertilizer once a month during the raise season ( April to August ) . In the fall and winter you may abbreviate feeding to every 2 - 3 months or , where light levels are downhearted , stop feeding completely until spring .
Watering
Overwatering is the most coarse misunderstanding with the ZZ plant . It is by all odds better to water this plant life too little rather than too much .
During spring and summertime check the soil is dry before wet before tearing and ensure the plant has good drain to avoid root rotting .
Signs of under - tearing let in dry , crispy foliage hint , while overwatering may result in yellowing leave and slushy stalk .
Pruning
There is not much pruning needed for the ZZ flora . All you have to do is remove any yellow or idle leave , or stems , to maintain its straight appearance .
Propagation
you may propagate Zamioculcas zamiifolia through stem cuttings , leaf cutting or by naval division .
Leaf or stem cuttings can be steady down in grunge or water , but the the cutting can be obtuse to mature roots . It also takes many months for a reasonable sized flora to develop .
Therefore , division , the unconscious process demand separating the ZZ works into little plants , is believably the best propagation option .
However , take tending not to do this too often as the rootstalk get slowly . Over - propagation by division can harm the parent plant due to the slow regeneration of rhizomes .
It is right to hold back until the plant is quite large and has multiple stems before try section , ensuring that each new plant has a expert department of rootstock and ascendant to have it .
Once your plant is mature enough to separate , then extension by division is a pretty square process because of the plant ’s rhizome scheme . Here ’s how to do it :
ZZ plant thrives best in bright indirect light, but tolerates lower light conditions
Common Problems and Solutions
The ZZ flora is relatively trouble free , but there are a few points worth knowing .
Zamioculcas zamiifolia troubleshooting guide
Leaves and shoots
Roots
Pests
Look out for :
divvy up with pest by :
Diseases
Winter care
During winter , foreshorten lachrymation and stop , or greatly reduce , fertilising . secure the plant is not exposed to cold drafts or hummer .
show more about how tooverwinter your house plantshere .
Buy Zamioculcas zamiifolia
So , if you ’ve get this far and are finger like you ca n’t fend this beautiful plant , I ’ve lean some buying options below – depending on whether you are US or UK based .
The steal link are affiliate link , which mean I ’d be make up a ( very ) modest commission if you go on and bribe after clicking these links . But that does not affect the price you pay .
ZZ plant
Yellow leaves are a sign of over-watering
Uk Buyers
Zamioculcas zamiifolia frequently asked questions
1. How often should I water my ZZ plant?
piss when the top inch or so of soil is dry , typically every 2 - 3 week , count on the environment .
2. How toxic are ZZ plants?
They hold in Ca oxalate crystals which can irritate the mouth and digestive tract if ingested .
3. Is Zamioculcas poisonous to dogs?
In short , yes . If swallowed , there is a jeopardy of disgorgement , diarrhea and stomach problem . The fool can also irritate the dog ’s pelt , e.g. in exposed orbit around the mouthpiece or tummy .
4. Can ZZ plants tolerate direct sunlight?
No , they prefer collateral Light Within . Direct sunlight can get folio burn .
5. Are ZZ plants really low-light plants?
Yes , they can support low light , but they grow best in bright , collateral lighting .
6. Why are the leaves on my ZZ plant turning yellow?
scandalmongering leaves often bespeak overwatering . countenance the soil dry out more between waterings .
ZZ plant Cultivars
There are only a few varieties of ZZ plant , which probably stems from the fact that the plant has not been commercially cultivated for long . The varieties worth check out are :
Other great foliage plants
See our guides to care for these other great foliage plants :
Key references and resources
Alloway , Z and Bailey ( F ) . ( 2018)RHS Practical House Plant Book : Choose The honorable , Display Creatively , Nurture and Care , Royal Horticultural Society , UK .
Camilleri , L and Kaplan , S. ( 2020 ) , Plantopedia : The Definitive Guide to Houseplants , Smith Street Books .
Hessayon , Dr D.G. ( 1991)The New House Plant Expert , PBI Publications , UK .
Ensure there is a good section of rhizome on the division
Brickell , C. ( 2016).Royal Horticultural Society AZ encyclopedia of garden industrial plant . 4thEdition Dorling Kindersley .
Squire , D. ( 2017).Houseplant Handbook : Basic Growing Techniques and a Directory of 300 Everyday Houseplants , CompanionHouse Books .
Nelson , G ( 2021 ) . Plant – House plant : Choosing , Styling , Caring . Mitchell Beazley . London
Do not create divisions that are too small
Brickell , C. ( 2011).American horticultural fellowship encyclopedia of plant life and flowers . Penguin .
Martin Cole has been an avid plant lover and gardener for more than 20 years and loves to sing and write about horticulture . In 2006 he was a finalist in the BBC Gardener of the Year competition . He is a member of the National dahlia Society .
He antecedently live on in London and Sydney , Australia , where he take a sheepskin form in Horticultural cogitation and is now base in North Berwick in Scotland . He founded GardeningStepbyStep.com in 2012 . The internet site is aim at everybody who loves plants or has been sting by the horticulture bug and wants to know more .
Gardening Step by Step has beencited by Thompson and Morgan , the UK ’s large mail order plant retail merchant , as a site that publishes expert horticulture capacity .
