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ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

Zamioculcas zamiifolia is a perennial, upright, clump-forming herb with fleshy underground rhizomes; its leaves emerge from underground parts, and it has succulent water-storage characteristics and is commonly grown as an indoor foliage plant.

LightIt suits bright, indirect light through full or part shade and tolerates shade; it can tolerate some sun, but strong direct sunlight should be avoided because it can scorch the leaves. It tolerates bright light or part s
WaterIt is drought tolerant; in a well-drained medium, allow the potting mix to dry thoroughly before watering again, keep it drier in winter, and avoid prolonged wetness that can cause root or rhizome rot.
HumidityIt is generally reported to prefer low humidity and need moderate airflow.
TemperatureSources differ, with limited evidence suggesting a minimum of about 15 °C, while another limited source reports an ideal range of about 18–26 °C. A limited source suggests a cold minimum of about 10 °C and reports that i
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Overview

Zamioculcas zamiifolia is a perennial, upright, clump-forming herb with fleshy underground rhizomes; its leaves emerge from underground parts, and it has succulent water-storage characteristics and is commonly grown as an indoor foliage plant.

Origin and habitat

The species is reported to be native from eastern to southern Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. It occurs in moist to dry evergreen forest, Brachystegia woodland, dry wooded grassland, scrub, and rocky settings; it is also recorded in partly shaded forest understories and on rocky riverbanks. Its native environments are tropical to subtropical with seasonal drought, and the plant has marked drought tolerance.

Characteristics

Sources differ on mature height, placing it at about 40–100 cm, while mature spread is 45–91 cm; growth is slow. The upright pinnate compound leaves have thick, fleshy, glossy leaflets; in 'Raven', new leaves are green and gradually mature to nearly black. The typical aroid inflorescence appears near the base of the plant; the species has spathes ranging from yellow-green and pale green to white, while 'Raven' retains lighter green flowers. Sources differ on the flowering season, which is described as summer to early autumn, and the plant can produce white berries containing seeds.

Light

It suits bright, indirect light through full or part shade and tolerates shade; it can tolerate some sun, but strong direct sunlight should be avoided because it can scorch the leaves. It tolerates bright light or part shade.

Watering

It is drought tolerant; in a well-drained medium, allow the potting mix to dry thoroughly before watering again, keep it drier in winter, and avoid prolonged wetness that can cause root or rhizome rot.

Humidity and airflow

It is generally reported to prefer low humidity and need moderate airflow.

Temperature and dormancy

Sources differ, with limited evidence suggesting a minimum of about 15 °C, while another limited source reports an ideal range of about 18–26 °C. A limited source suggests a cold minimum of about 10 °C and reports that it tolerates brief light frost.

Growing medium and mounting

It needs a fast-draining mix; suitable media include loam, sandy soil, succulent potting mix, or a well-drained foliage-plant potting mix.

Feeding

Fertilizer can be applied during the growing period; one source recommends a slow-release fertilizer with equal proportions of the major nutrients, while another recommends succulent fertilizer from spring through autumn.

Propagation

It can be propagated from individual leaflet cuttings or by division; leaflet cuttings can form a small underground storage organ and roots at the cut surface, while new shoots from the small underground part can take much longer to emerge.

Common problems

Sources differ on pests: scale insects are the most consistently recorded cultivation pest, while some sources also list spider mites, aphids, slugs, woodlice, and grasshoppers. Disease is generally uncommon, but overwatering and poor drainage can deprive roots of oxygen and cause rhizome rot. Overwatering or waterlogged medium can cause rot and yellowing of lower leaves; strong direct sunlight can scorch leaves, while prolonged low light can cause elongated, loose growth. It tolerates drought and heat but is more sensitive to low temperatures; strong direct sunlight can burn leaves, while low temperatures can slow growth and may cause leaf drop.

Identification

Its key distinguishing feature is that new shoots begin bright green and gradually turn deep purple-black to nearly black, while mature leaves retain a thick, glossy, pinnate appearance.

Photos

Zamioculcas zamiifolia
📷 User:WeFt · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Zamioculcas zamiifolia
📷 Mokkie, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · CC BY-SA · source

Sources