How to grow and care for Zamioculcas zamiifolia (ZZ plant)

Zamioculcas plant care

Feeding your ZZ plant

Wondering why your ZZ plant isn’t producing new leaves? Though the ZZ plant is easy to grow and doesn’t require as much fertilizing as other houseplants, providing the right nutrients is essential for healthy growth and new shoots.

In spring and summer, feed once a month with a diluted houseplant fertiliser (1/2 or 1/4 of the recommended dose). Stop feeding in winter. Avoid overfeeding, as this can harm the roots of the plant.

Watering your ZZ plant

The ZZ plant stores water in its fleshy rhizomes, making it tolerant of short dry spells and reducing the need for frequent watering.

• Watering habits
  
  Overwatering is one of the most common mistakes with ZZ plants. Too much water can cause yellowing leaves, root rot, and stem decay. To avoid this, water sparingly and only when the top layer of soil is completely dry. During spring and summer, monthly watering should be sufficient. Water very sparingly in winter. Use filtered or bottled water for the best results.
• Protecting leaves from water
  
  The ZZ plant’s glossy, green leaves are one of its most appealing features. When watering, avoid getting water on the leaves, as this can dull their shine and leave unsightly white marks.
• Drought tolerance
  
  Native to east Africa, the ZZ plant can withstand dry conditions for up to four months thanks to its water-storing underground rhizomes. If the plant becomes wrinkled or looks dehydrated, a single watering session will usually restore its appearance. However, it’s not a good idea to stress your ZZ plant by only watering it every four months! Monthly watering will keep your plant hydrated during the growing season.

Repotting a Zamioculcas plant:

The ZZ plant thrives in well-draining, moderately fertile compost with a pH of between 6.0-7.0. When planting in a pot , use a 2:1 mix of peat-free multipurpose or loam-based compost and grit or perlite.

ZZ plants don’t like to be repotted too frequently, as the rhizomes function best when they are closely surrounded by roots. Repot plants every 2-3 years rather than annually, using a pot that is 2–3 cm larger in diameter than the previous one.

1. Gently remove the plant from its pot, taking care not to damage the roots.
2. Remove any dried soil from the root ball.
3. Add a layer of well-draining soil to the new pot.
4. Place the plant in the pot so that the stems are upright, then cover the roots with fresh soil.
5. If the leaves spread outwards, use a support stick or trellis to stabilize the plant.

Zamioculcas plant propagation

Propagating a ZZ plant is a straightforward process that can be done in several ways, with the best results achieved in spring. Only healthy, disease-free plants should be used for propagation to ensure strong, vibrant offspring.

How to propagate a ZZ plant from a rhizome

The fastest way to create new ZZ plants is by dividing the mother plant.

1. Remove the plant from its pot and gently tease apart the roots to produce new plants, ensuring each new section has several roots.
2. If necessary, use a clean, sharp knife to cut through rhizomes and congested roots.
3. Repot the separated sections into individual pots filled with multipurpose compost mixed with perlite.

How to propagate a ZZ plant from a stem

1. To propagate a ZZ plant in water from a stem cutting, cut a length of healthy stem just below a leaf node.
2. Remove the leaves from the lower half of the cutting and place the cutting in water. Change the water every 2-3 days.
3. Once the cutting has developed roots, plant it out into a pot filled with compost/perlite mix.

You can also propagate ZZ plants in compost, by placing the stem cuttings directly into pots filled with moist multipurpose compost mixed with perlite.

How to propagate a ZZ plant from a leaf

1. Carefully remove a few leaves without damaging the tips.
2. Plant the leaf 2 cm deep in a well-draining soil mixture.
3. Keep the soil moist and place the cutting in indirect light.
4. Cover the cutting with a plastic bottle or dome to maintain humidity and warmth.
5. After several months, the cuttings should have produced roots and small rhizomes and can be potted into pots filled with a multipurpose compost/perlite mix.

Leaf propagation requires patience, as it can take several months for the cutting to develop roots and rhizomes, and to sprout new leaves.

Common ZZ plant care problems

Despite being resilient, ZZ plants can experience problems when care routines aren’t followed.

• Browning leaves
  • Brown spots often indicate sunburn from excessive direct sunlight. Move the plant to a shadier spot and remove the affected leaves.
• Yellow leaves
  • Yellow leaves on a Zamioculcas plant are usually a sign of overwatering. Allow the compost to dry out completely before watering again, and water less frequently.  

FAQs

Is the ZZ plant toxic?

Yes, the ZZ plant contains toxic substances that can cause illness if ingested. Keep it out of reach of children and pets to prevent accidental ingestion, and wash your hands after working with it.

Does the ZZ plant bloom?

In the wild, the ZZ plant produces one or two white arum-like flowers in summer. However indoor-grown ZZ plants are very unlikely to bloom.

Why isn’t my ZZ plant growing?

ZZ plants grow slowly, so there may be nothing wrong with your plant – it’s just growing at its normal rate. To encourage a ZZ plant to grow faster, ensure it is in a suitably sized pot with well-draining compost and follow proper watering and fertilizing practices.