ZZ Plant | Care Difficulty – Easy

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Unique plants are eye-catching plants…and the ZZ plant falls right into that category. When I first started collecting indoor houseplants, this was one that I snatched up. I own two of them, and they haven’t caused me any issues. They don’t talk back, miss curfew, or refuse to flaunt their beauty. They have a unique, eye-catching shape that is loaded with a dense cluster of glossy zig-zag leaves. The leaflets are so shiny it looks as if the plant has been sprayed with leaf polish.

ZZ plants are drought tolerant, can handle dry air, and will be happy in low-light conditions. If given bright indirect light, they will shoot out new growth. And trust me, new growth on this plant is exciting to experience.  Like a succulent, the thick stems and bulbous roots store water, making it the perfect houseplant for the traveler or workaholic. They are slow-growing plants that reach up to three to five feet — patience, my friend, patience. If you are short in the patience department, purchase a more substantial plant from the get-go!

ZZ plants are rhizome plants and also known as Zanzibar Gem, Zuzu plant, aroid palm, eternity plant, emerald palm, Zamioculcus zamiifolia, and Zamioculcus zamiifolia ‘Zenzi.’ It’s no wonder that it can be challenging to remember the names of plants and why there is such confusion when people talk about them.

Light Requirements

Water Requirements

Optimum Temperature

Fertilizer – Plant Food

Additional Care

• Remove any dead, discolored, damaged, or diseased leaves and stems as they occur with clean, sharp scissors.
• Clean the leaves often enough to keep dust off of them. Do not use a feather duster, which increases the chances of spreading pests between plants.
• Avoid using commercial leaf shining products on this plant.
• When potting, a good ratio is : 3 parts potting soil, 1 part succulent & cactus mix, & 1 part coco coir.

Plant Characteristics to Watch For

• This happens when the plant is being overwatered.
• Stop watering and let the soil dry out. Once the soil is dry, saturate the soil with water, allowing the excess water to drain out of the pot. Continue this watering process… remember, the stems and root bulbs hold extra water.
• Re-evaluate your watering practices if a single stem suddenly withers, and all the plant’s leaves turn yellow.

• This can be a sign of aphids attacking your plant.
• Solution: See below for common plant pests

The leaves are drying out and look scorched.

• Too much direct exposure to the sun can cause scorched or dried-out leaves.
• Solution: Move your plant to a shadier location until its leaves start to resemble their normal, green state.

Leaf tips turning brown.

• The cause is likely dry air and low humidity.
• Solution: Add a humidifier to the room.

My plant isn’t growing.

• ZZ plants do really well in low light conditions, but like most plants, they will grow faster when they are exposed to more indirect light.
• Solution: Move the plant to an area that receives bright indirect light.

Uneven growth.

• A ZZ  plant will grow and lean toward light sources.
• Solution: Be sure to rotate the pot every once in a while to encourage an evenly spread plant. I do this when I water my plants.

Leggy stems.

• If light conditions are poor, the stems can become spindly, leggy, or stretched and much longer than normal.
• Solution: Consider relocating the plant to a brighter location.

Common Bugs to Watch For

• Mealybugs look like small balls of cotton. They can travel, slooooooowly, but they have a strong will and determination! Though they are slow-moving, if any plant is touching another, there is a chance the mealybug will hitch a ride on a new leaf and spread. They breed like rabbits of the insect world. Females can deposit around 600 eggs in loose cottony masses, often on the underside of leaves or along stems.
• Scales are dark-colored bumps that are primarily immobile insects that stick themselves to stems and leaves. They are rather inconspicuous and don’t look like a typical insect. They can range in color but are most often brownish in appearance. They’re called “scales” primarily due to their scale-like appearance on a plant, due to waxy or armored coverings. They are often seen in clumps along a stem, sucking away at the plant’s juices with their spiky mouthpart.
• Spider mites are more common on houseplants. They are not insects – they are related to spiders. These appear to be tiny black or red moving dots. Spider mites are nearly invisible to the naked eye. You often need a magnifying lens to spot them, or you may just notice a reddish film across the bottom of the leaves, some webbing, or even some leaf damage, which usually results in reddish-brown spots on the leaf.

Toxicity

You should take care when handling this plant because it contains calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause skin irritation or more severe ailments like stomach pain. The oxalate crystals make the plant especially poisonous for cats and dogs, so make sure to keep it out of reach. ZZ plants are still safe to have in your home as long as you keep them out of reach from curious pets and children. You should wash your hands immediately after tending to your plant or wear gloves to minimize contact with the plant.

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Tags: Care Difficulty - Easy, Low Light, Toxic to Pets and Humans