ZZ Plant, AKA Zamioculcas zamiifolia, is one of the easy maintains low light indoor plants. It is native to Africa though it can grow in colder climate regions. Some of the common names are Zanzibar gem, emerald palm, Zuzu plant, aroid palm, and Eternity plant.
ZZ plant has a thick stem and relatively dark green leaf; some varieties have dark leaves. Its roots, rhizomes, leaf, and stem store water, like succulents family plants. This plant can purify the air, and it grows slowly. Therefore most gardeners prefer to grow them as an indoor plant.
Zamioculcas is not looking for bright lights; it can easily thrive in places where there is no bright light. As an indoor plant, you can grow it in a living room, bathroom, or even bedroom without much effort.
ZZ Plant Care Instructions.
ZZ Plant Soil mixture.
ZZ plant soil mixture should well drain. It perfectly tolerates dry environments. You can use a regular all-purpose potting mix with a good amount of perlite or pumice. Adding water absorption material improves the moisture level and keeps the ZZ plant-soil dry. When you are growing your Zamioculcas as an indoor plant, it is recommended to use more moisture absorb inorganic materials.
Light requirement.
ZZ plant can tolerate mid to low light. Bright direct sunlight can burn the leaves. Partial sunlight perfect for this plant. In the winter season, Zamioculcas can survive sufficient supplementation of artificial light. When it receives bright direct sunlight, its foliage turns yellowish-green.
Watering ZZ plant.
Watering requirement moderate. This plant prefers a trying environment. Therefore it is beneficial to dry soil between waterings. Always check the surface soil dryness before water. During the winter, ZZ plant water requirements low. You can use a soil moisture meter to check the underneath soil wetness.
Fertilizer.
ZZ plant doesn’t need any special fertilizer. In early spring, apply a balanced fertilizer (e.g., NPK ratio 10:10:10). Slow releasing fertilizer also a good solution. In an actively growing period (spring and summer), apply liquid fertilizer once a month. Introducing slow-releasing higher nitrogen will support more leaves but not recommend excessive-high nitrogen fertilizers. Introducing organic
Temperature.
ZZ plant ideal temperature is 60ºF to 69ºF (16-21ºC); it can tolerate a minimum of 37ºF (3ºC) to higher 77ºF (25ºC). Below the 37ºF (3ºC) not recommend. During the winter season, outdoor Zanzibar gem plants should cover. ZZ plants are less tolerant of high temperatures. Therefore always recommend keeping the plant below 77ºF (25ºC).
Repotting.
It is recommended to report the ZZ plant once a year. The most suitable time is spring or early summer.
Propagation.
Zanzibar gem can propagate using stem cuttings, leaf cuttings, or separation/division.
Stem Cuttings.
- Cut off a stalk at the base. It is recommended to select a matured stem.
- Place the cut stem in pure water. It is better to change the water every 4 -5 days to prevent mold from growing.
- Place the cuttings near a bright light area. (Do not let them expose to direct sunlight).
- When you see new roots it is time to repot the ZZ plant.
Leaf cuttings propagation.
- Select a matured and healthy leaf.
- Cut the leaf close to the stem.
- Place the cut leaf’s stem in potting mix.
- Water the pot and never let the soil completely dry.
- Place the pot bright indoor place and never let them exposed to direct sunlight.
Common question and answers.
Why is my ZZ plant getting yellow leaves?
There can be several reasons ZZ plants getting yellow leaves. Overwatering, underwatering, exposure to excessive bright direct sunlight, nutrient deficiencies are major reasons. You have to carefully check the plant conditions before treating Zamioculcas yellow leaves issue. Unless a nutritional deficiency causes the yellowing, it is impossible to turn the yellow leaves back to green.
Can ZZ plants take full sun?
ZZ plants do not like the full sun. It prefers partial shade. Direct bright sunlight can burn the leaves and turn yellow. When growing indoor, the ZZ plant can thrive under artificial lights (not necessarily grow lights).
How often should you water ZZ?
As I mentioned earlier, ZZ plant water requirements moderate. Checking the surface soil moisture and water is a much more effective method than the mention watering schedule. Before water, always check the surface soil dryness. It makes the ZZ plant happy.
