Zamioculcas zamiifolia
Contents
- Top Tips
- Light, Water, Humidity & Fertilisation
- Common Issues
- Origins, Temperature, Propagation, Repotting & Toxicity.
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Top Tips & Info
- Care Difficulty - Easy
- ZZ Plants must endure dry periods between waters - if you're stuck with when to water it, think of the ukhouseplants' phrase of 'Drenches Between Droughts'.
- Be careful when watering - allowing excess moisture to sit in the cubbyholes of the lower stem will result in diseases such like stem (petiole) or tuber rot.
- Provide a bright, indirect location away from the summer sun. ZZ Plants are a great choice for statement specimens in a shady room, as long as they're kept on the drier side to life.
- Fertilise every four months all year round, using either a 'Cactus' or 'Houseplant' labelled feed. They don't need much!
- When your ZZ Plant is bought, repot it immediately into the next sized pot with a 'Cacti & Succulent' potting mix. Feel free to make holes in the pot's side with a Soldering Iron to help air circulation within the root system and soil. (See image below)
- A distorted pot shape is a sign that your ZZ Plant needs to be repotted. This occurs due to the sheer strength of the plant's tubers and root system.
- Why not buy our top-selling ZZ Plant Soil Mix here? We have sold over 1,600 batches in the last year alone, so click here to find out more...
Location & Light - 🔸🔸🔸
Although differing light levels are all acceptable, a sunny window with morning or evening sun will work wonders. Along with Pothos, Peace Lilies and Sansevieria, these are an excellent choice for dark locations, but always regulate the amount of water it receives as too much will kill the plant outright. Be sure to allow the soil to fully dry out for at least two weeks to totally eliminate the chance of soil-borne diseases. Never place a ZZ Plant is more that three hours of intense sunlight a day as its ability to bounce back from scorched leaves may take several months.
Water - 🔸
The ukhouseplants phrase of 'drenches between droughts' strongly applies to ZZ Plants. Not only will continuous soil moisture start to destroy the root system, it'll also cause the plant's tubers to begin to rot, killing it from the inside out. Allow all of the soil to fully dry out in between waters in summer for around a week or so, while reducing this further during winter. Under-watering symptoms include a weakened grey stem, yellowing leaves, little to no growth and dry, crispy patches forming on the leaf edges; these issues are usually caused by too much light/heat or forgetfulness. Remember, the brighter the location, the more watering you'll need to do. Over-watering symptoms include a weakened grey stem, leaves that have a rotten base, no new growth, yellowing leaves and plant death. The differences between under and over-watering are very similar; a rotten root ball will stop the plant soaking up vital moisture and nutrients, leaving you with wilted grey leaves. For more severe cases of root rot, click here!
Humidity -
Low humidity is fine with ZZ Plants, as long as its foliage is hosed down from time to time for the removal of dust particles and potential pests. Those situated in dark locations or bathrooms mustn't be over-misted, as it could cause powdery mildew or botrytis.
Fertilisation - 🔸
ZZ Plants need phosphorus and magnesium for optimal growth in their roots and foliage. Luckily for houseplant enthusiasts, a typical 'Houseplant' labelled feed from a local garden centre will do the job nicely. We recommend only feeding your plant three times a year due to the risk of over-fertilisation when fed too often.
Quick Tip: Even if you don't want to repot your ZZ Plant now, create circular holes (with a Soldering Iron or screwdriver whilst the pot is empty) to improve aeration in the soil and reduce the risk of root rot.
Common Issues with ZZ Plants
A deformed pot is the product of its strong tuberous roots travelling through the soil and therefore shouldn't cause concern. We would recommend repotting it into the next sized pot with a 'Cactus' labelled potting mix. Scroll down to 'Repotting' to learn more about what to do!
If an entire stem quickly collapses with its leaves turning yellow, this could be a sign of root rot. Check the root system for signs of brown, deflated roots like the image below.