plantatiousZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
- Light
- Low light
- Watering
- When the soil is completely dry
- Temperature
- 16–24°C
The ZZ plant, also called the eternity plant, is Zamioculcas zamiifolia, a member of the arum family, Araceae, and its short name simply comes from the initials of its botanical name. It is native to eastern and southern Africa, where it gets through long dry spells on water stored in its thick underground rhizomes, and botanists have also filed it under other names, such as Caladium zamiifolium and Zamioculcas loddigesii. Indoors you grow it for its glossy, dark green leaves and for how little it asks of you: it copes with dim corners and forgotten waterings better than almost any other houseplant.
How fast does a ZZ plant grow?
A ZZ plant grows slowly: it makes new shoots in spurts, mostly in spring and summer, and can rest for months in between. Each new shoot pushes up from the rhizome under the soil, unrolls into a stem lined with leaflets, and starts out a fresh, light green that darkens as it firms up.
Light sets the pace. In a bright spot out of direct sun it sends up new shoots more often and grows fuller; in a dim corner it stays alive but may not grow for a long time, and its stems can stretch and lean toward the window. Warmth helps too, and in a cool room or in winter it barely moves. More water will not speed it up, because the rhizomes rot in soil that stays wet, so patience pays. One more thing worth knowing: what looks like a stem with many leaves is really a single large leaf, divided into a row of leaflets, so every new “stem” you see is one new leaf.
How to care for a ZZ plant
Your ZZ plant does well in low light, out of direct sun; water it only when the soil has dried out completely, and keep it between 16°C and 24°C. It is one of the few houseplants that copes with low light, though it grows faster and looks fuller with more light; harsh sun through glass can scorch its leaves. Its rhizomes and thick stems store water, so too much water is a far bigger danger than too little: roots that stay wet start to rot. Let the whole pot dry out, then water thoroughly and let the extra drain away. Ordinary room air suits it well; just keep it away from cold drafts in winter.
| Light | Low light |
|---|---|
| Watering | When the soil is completely dry |
| Temperature | 16–24°C |
| Native to | Tropical East Africa, Tropical southern Africa, and Southern Africa |
| Growth form | Perennial plant |
Sources
- Zamioculcas zamiifolia (Aroid Palm, Emerald Palm, Eternity Plant, Zanzibar Gem, Zuzu Plant, ZZ Plant), NC State Extension
- Cultural Guidelines for Commercial Production of Interiorscape ZZ (Zamioculcas zamiifolia), UF/IFAS Extension
- ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia): Indoor Care, Growing Tips & Plant Guide, Clemson Cooperative Extension
- Govaerts R (ed.). WCVP: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, CC BY 3.0
Tips
- Check that the soil is dry all the way down before you water, and water even less in winter.
- Use a pot with a drainage hole and a free-draining mix, never a pot that holds water at the bottom.
- Turn the pot now and then, so the stems grow evenly instead of leaning toward the light.
- Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth to keep them glossy; they need no leaf shine.
- Repot in spring, only when the rhizomes crowd the pot, into one just a little larger.
- Wear gloves when you cut or repot it, because its sap can irritate your skin.
Is a ZZ plant toxic to cats and dogs?
Yes, mildly: it is toxic to both cats and dogs. The ASPCA names the ZZ plant among the plants that contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, and rates the harm from this group as low. When a pet chews the plant, these needle-like crystals irritate its mouth and lips, so it may drool, paw at its mouth or shake its head, vomit or have diarrhea; in rare cases the throat swells. Keep your ZZ plant where pets cannot reach it, and if yours has chewed it, call your vet or an animal poison line for advice, straight away if its throat seems swollen.
ZZ plant care: common questions
How often should I water a ZZ plant?
Only when the soil has dried out completely, rather than on a fixed schedule. That can mean long gaps between waterings, and longer still in winter or in a dim room. When in doubt, wait: a ZZ plant recovers from thirst far more easily than from wet roots.
Why are my ZZ plant’s leaves turning yellow?
Most often because of too much water. If the soil stays damp and the stems feel soft at the base, the rhizomes may be rotting: let the pot dry out completely and water less from now on. An old leaf slowly yellowing while new ones grow is just the plant shedding it.
Can a ZZ plant grow in low light?
Yes, it is one of the best houseplants for a spot well back from the window. It grows slowly there, though, so if you want more new shoots, give it a brighter place out of direct sun.
Why is my ZZ plant leaning or falling over?
Stems that lean toward the window are reaching for light: move the plant somewhere brighter and turn the pot now and then. Stems that flop and feel soft at the base usually mean too much water, so check the rhizomes and let the soil dry out.