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Chameleon ZZ Plant

About Chameleon ZZ Plant

ZZ plants have survived 42 million years of plant pathogens, pests, and climate change. Their resilience and ability to tolerate water stress and low light has elevated them to international horticultural importance! Out of 15 plants tested, the ZZ plant was the best at absorbing and removing out of the air a major component found in gasoline. ⛽️

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Zamioculcas zamiifolia 'Chameleon'

Genus

Zamioculcas

Family

Araceae

Order

Alismatales

How to care for Chameleon ZZ Plant

💦 Water

How often to water your Chameleon ZZ Plant

Chameleon ZZ Plant needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Chameleon ZZ Plant in your home

Chameleon ZZ Plant can tolerate being far from a window and light source.

Place it less than 6 feet from a south-facing window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Chameleon ZZ Plant in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Chameleon ZZ Plant

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Chameleon ZZ Plant: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Chameleon ZZ Plant after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #Zamioculcas

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Chameleon ZZ Plant is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!

Benefits of Growing Chameleon ZZ Plant →

Common Chameleon ZZ Plant Problems →

💦 Water Needs

Chameleon ZZ Plant thrives in dry soil and should be watered sparingly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Chameleon ZZ Plant Water Frequency →

Chameleon ZZ Plant Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Chameleon ZZ Plant can tolerate being far from a window and light source. Place it less than 6 feet from a south-facing window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Chameleon ZZ Plant Light Requirements →

Chameleon ZZ Plant Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Chameleon ZZ Plant is not safe to consume. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian. If you have children, cats, or dogs in the home, we suggest keeping this plant out of reach.

💨 Humidity

Chameleon ZZ Plant prefers dry environments. Providing extra humidity or misting your plant allows water to linger on leaves, which can create the perfect environment for harmful types of fungi.

Chameleon ZZ Plant Humidity Needs →

🪴 Soil

Chameleon ZZ Plant is very sensitive to wet soil, so choose a potting soil that drains very well and doesn’t retain too much moisture. A good soil will have lots of perlite or vermiculite for drainage and some organic matter for nutrition. A few handfuls of perlite added to regular store-bought cactus soil will do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Chameleon ZZ Plant →

When and How to Successfully Repot Chameleon ZZ Plant →

💩 Fertilizer

Chameleon ZZ Plant grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Chameleon ZZ Plant →

❄️ Dormancy

It’s common for Chameleon ZZ Plant to go dormant in the wintertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.

🌎 Native Region

Chameleon ZZ Plant is native to Southeastern Africa.

🌸 Flowers

Yes, you may see your Chameleon ZZ Plant bloom with the right amount of sunlight and water.

Chameleon ZZ Plant Flowers →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Chameleon ZZ Plant is a clumping plant, meaning new growth will emerge from the soil around the parent plant.

How and When to Prune Chameleon ZZ Plant →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Chameleon ZZ Plant can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 9a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Chameleon ZZ Plant Temperature Tolerance →

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.

😖 Common Issues

Overwatering is a likely cause of issues with Chameleon ZZ Plant. These plants are very sensitive to wet soil so if you notice your plant becoming squishy or translucent, overwatering is the likely culprit.

Cut your plant just past where the rot ends and allow it to callus over for a few days before replanting it in fresh, dry soil. Download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!