If you don't already have one in your collection, the ZZ Plant is a must-have for your houseplant collection. It's one of the easiest houseplants to care for (similar to Sansevieria and Pothos), so you won't have to put in a lot of effort. Its bulbous rhizomes help retain moisture, making it a great plant for those who tend to forget to water.
Plus, the ZZ plant (short for Zamioculcas zamiifolia) looks great in almost any room in your home, with its glossy green leaves and dramatic upright shape. The green leaves are eye-catching, but there's also a beautiful variety called “Raven” that has dark, almost black leaves.
First propagated in the 1990s, the plant is a tropical perennial native to the dry grasslands and forests of East Africa. “It's the perfect plant for someone who doesn't have a lot of light or time,” says Alfredo Palomares, vice president of merchandising at 1-800-Flowers.com and resident plant dad. “It's one of the most difficult choices for a beginner.”
ZZ Plant Basic Information:
Common Name: ZZ Plant, Zanzibar Gem Botanical Name: Zamioculcas zamiifolia Botanical Family: Araceae Plant Type: Perennial, Houseplant Origin: Africa Sun Exposure: Shade outdoors, indirect light indoors Growth Size: 2-4 feet tall and wide Toxic to Pets: Yes
Here's what else you need to know about how to grow and care for ZZ plants.
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What kind of light does a ZZ plant need?
Unlike many tropical plants that require bright light, the ZZ plant is much more forgiving. “It will grow anywhere from low to high light,” Palomares says. “It will also tolerate low-light conditions, like an office or a dark corner of the house.”
But low light doesn't mean no light: they need some lighting, and don't put them in a room without windows or the plant will struggle.
Also, direct sunlight can cause them to “sunburn,” so try to place them a few feet away from direct sunlight or use thin curtains to diffuse the light.
How do I water my ZZ plant?
ZZ plants are native to dry areas of the world and can survive periods of drought, even if that drought is caused by forgetting to water them.
That means you only need to water it once every few weeks — more often in bright light and less often in low light, Palomares says.
But before watering, stick your finger in the soil to feel it. If the top 2 inches feel dry, water it. If the soil sticks to your finger, wait a few days and try again. The surest way to kill this plant is to overwater it, because it cannot tolerate extremely wet soil.
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Should I fertilize my ZZ plants?
Of course, this isn't entirely necessary, as plants produce their own nutrients through photosynthesis, but if you want to encourage a bit more growth, Palomares says you can give them a regular houseplant fertilizer once or twice a year in the spring or summer, and no fertilizer is needed in the winter, when growth slows.
Are ZZ plants toxic to pets?
Unfortunately, the ZZ plant contains calcium oxalate crystals which can be irritating to pets, so keep the plant out of reach of your pet if they have a tendency to chew and contact your vet immediately if you think your pet has ingested it.
Related: 15 Indoor and Outdoor Plants That Are Poisonous to Dogs
Costa Farms Raven ZZ Plant
Arricca Elin SanSone is a health and lifestyle writer for Prevention, Country Living, Woman's Day, etc. She is passionate about gardening, baking, reading, and spending time with the people and dogs she loves.
Alfred Palomares is vice president of merchandising at 1-800-Flowers.com and resident plant dad.