
The ZZ plant is one other considered one of our favourite low-maintenance houseplants. They’re straightforward to take care of, arduous to kill, and all the time look full & leafy. They’ve even earned the nickname “Eternity Plant” as a result of they’re virtually indestructible! That’s why they’re a best choice for business areas, physician’s workplaces, and busy houses like ours. Don’t you’re keen on a home plant you possibly can overlook about?
ZZ vegetation are offered in a wide range of sizes, that means they’re nice for cabinets, tabletops, and small surfaces in addition to bigger statements on the ground. We have now some which can be over 3 ft tall with their pots!
ZZ Plant Fast Information
Right here’s what it’s good to learn about your ZZ plant at a look:
- Latin identify: Zamioculcas zamiifolia
- Plant household: Araceae or Arums, which incorporates Philodendron, Alocasia, Aglaonema, Monstera, and Peace Lily
- Widespread identifys: ZZ plant, Zanzibar Gem, Zuzu plant, Emerald Palm, Eternity plant
- Native to: East Africa
- Mild: Medium oblique gentle, however can be low-light tolerant
- Watering: Each 2-3 weeks throughout its rising season
- Soil: Commonplace potting combine so long as it drains effectively
- Perfect Humidity: Common family humidity, ideally 40-50%
- Perfect Temperature: 65°F to 75°F
- Chilly Hardiness: USDA Zones 9b-11
What Is A ZZ Plant?
The ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is a pretty, tropical houseplant identified for its waxy inexperienced leaves and upright progress. It’s native to international locations in jap Africa reminiscent of Kenya, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. They’re nice for houses and workplaces due to their full leafy look and low-needs care routine. Its leaves are additionally naturally shiny and shiny and glossy, which makes it look wholesome and vivid even when it has been barely uncared for.

ZZ vegetation develop from rhizomes beneath the soil, which appear to be small potatoes and assist them retailer water in periods of drought. The “stem” of the ZZ plant is its leaf, much like how we consider a palm leaf or fern leaf. The naked decrease a part of this stalk is named the petiole and the higher portion lined in leaflets is named the rachis. The shiny leaflets develop in pairs. We’ll discuss propagation extra later, however ZZ vegetation may be propagated from cuttings on the petiole, rachis, or leaflet.
What Are Different Names For A ZZ Plant?
The ZZ plant will get its identify from the initials of its Latin botanical identify: Zamioculcas zamiifolia. This identify is essentially the most generally used, nevertheless it additionally goes by a number of different nicknames:
- Zanzibar Gem
- Zuzu Plant
- Emerald Palm
- Eternity Plant
That final nickname, the Eternity plant, references its hardiness – they appear to stay ceaselessly! For that cause, some folks additionally see it as a logo of endurance, prosperity, and an extended life.
Care For A ZZ Plant
ZZ vegetation are an awesome newbie home plant since you don’t want too put a lot thought into them. However listed below are just a few care tricks to preserve it wanting its greatest.

Mild
ZZ vegetation do greatest in medium-to-bright oblique gentle, however can be saved in low gentle circumstances. They’ll even survive beneath solely fluorescent or synthetic gentle! Nonetheless, the sunnier the situation, the sooner and bigger it can develop. Simply keep away from spots with a number of direct solar, since this could burn its leaves.
Watering
Attempt to water your ZZ plant as soon as each 2-3 weeks within the spring and summer season, and as soon as a month within the fall and winter. They don’t like sitting in water, so don’t water it if the soil remains to be moist. Keep in mind, ZZs are drought tolerant (because of its underground rhizomes that retailer water) so it’s greatest to underwater, not overwater, this houseplant.
Soil & Repotting
A regular potting combine works effectively for ZZ vegetation, offered they drain effectively. ZZ vegetation can even tolerate being barely rootbound, so that they don’t must be repotted as steadily as different houseplants. They need to be comfortable of their current pot for 2-3 years earlier than it’s good to repot into a bigger pot. Ensure that any pot has good drainage holes. Whereas repotting, think about using considered one of its rhizomes to propagate a brand new plant!
Temperature & Humidity
ZZ vegetation do effectively in common family temperatures and humidity ranges so don’t overthink this half. They like temperatures of 65°F to 75°F and might maintain injury beneath 50°F. They do greatest in 40-50% humidity ranges, which mimic their native atmosphere. However they’ll additionally tolerate drier air.
Pruning
We don’t prune our ZZ vegetation usually, aside from clipping parts which can be getting too lengthy or leggy. When pruning a ZZ, use clear sharp scissors to make a 45-degree reduce proper above a node (the place a leaf meets the stem). If eradicating an entire stem, reduce the petiole near the soil line. This can assist management the dimensions and form of your plant. You may also use clipped parts to propagate a brand new plant!
Fertilizer
Throughout its spring & summer season rising season, think about including a balanced fertilizer as soon as a month. These houseplant tablets are straightforward to drop into your watering can.
Dusting
Like all houseplants, ZZ vegetation profit from semi-regular wiping of their leaves. Eradicating mud helps preserve their vivid shiny look and likewise promotes photosynthesis. A microfiber fabric, damp paper towel, or particular plant wipes are nice for this activity. It may be a bit tedious with a ZZ like ours that has a number of leaves!
Propagate ZZ Vegetation
There are a number of methods to propagate your ZZ plant into new vegetation. It is a nice free method to develop a brand new ZZ for your self or a good friend. Since they’re such straightforward beginner-friendly vegetation they make the right plant present!
- Division: Whereas repotting your ZZ plant, separate any of its potato-like rhizomes that develop underground. These may be planted in new pots to create new ZZ vegetation.
- Stem Chopping: Use a reduce or damaged portion of the petiole or rachis. Attempt to decide on a piece with at the very least 3-5 leaflets above your reduce. For a petiole reducing, attempt to reduce near the soil line. Stick the reduce finish in water, ensuring no leaves are submerged. New roots and rhizomes ought to develop in just a few months. As soon as roots are at the very least 1″ lengthy, pot your reducing in soil.
- Leaf Chopping: You may also use particular person ZZ leaflets, reduce proper above the node, to develop new roots and rhizomes. It’s greatest to take a number of leaves at a time, stick them in shallow soil, and water anytime the soil is totally dry. After a number of months, they need to start to develop upwards.
Widespread Points
Like all houseplants, ZZ vegetation are inclined to some widespread points. Right here’s what to look out for:
- Yellow leaves: You can be overwatering or underwatering your ZZ. In case your soil remains to be moist, it’s probably overwatered. Alter your watering schedule accordingly. Yellowing may be an indication of an excessive amount of direct daylight.
- Root rot: When you discover a foul odor or yellowing stems, your ZZ might be sitting in water, which causes root rot. Some vegetation can’t get better from this, however you possibly can repot into contemporary soil and take away lifeless roots as you go. Make sure to use a well-draining soil to stop future rot.
- Pests: ZZ vegetation can entice widespread houseplant pests like aphids, gnats, mealybugs, spider mites, and extra. Search for broken spots, wilting leaves, or webs. Most pests may be eliminated by hand after which deal with the plant with neem oil.
- Browning suggestions: This can be an indication of overfertilization, so reduce on any fertilizer you might have been including to your ZZ.
Different ZZ Plant FAQs

Are there different ZZ plant varieties?
There are just a few sorts of ZZ plant past the usual model pictured right here. The 2 most typical varieties are the Raven ZZ (Zamioculcas zamiifolia ‘Raven’) and Zeni ZZ (Zamioculcas zamiifolia ‘Zeniz’). The Raven ZZ, additionally referred to as Black ZZ or Supernova ZZ, is a model with darkish, practically black leaves. The Zenzi ZZ is a dwarf model that solely grows about 12″ tall.
What does the ZZ plant symbolize?
ZZ vegetation are thought to represent prosperity, endurance, and longevity. It’s referred to as the Eternity Plant, in spite of everything! In Feng Shui, it’s additionally thought to carry luck, luck, and stability. That is one more reason it’s in style in houses and workplace areas alike, past its common sturdiness and resilience.
Are ZZ vegetation poisonous to cats?
Though ZZ vegetation aren’t often included in lists of poisonous houseplants, they’ll trigger discomfort when ingested by cats, canines, or people. They aren’t thought of extremely poisonous or deadly, however their leaves and stems do comprise calcium oxalate crystals that may irritate pores and skin, mouths, and stomachs. This may increasingly trigger them to drool, vomit, or expertise different gastrointestinal misery. It’s greatest to maintain ZZ vegetation away from curious pets or youngsters.
Extra Plant Guides

When you’re on the lookout for extra info on a few of our favourite vegetation (actual and fake!) take a look at a few of these posts beneath:
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