ZZ Plant
4.9 out of 5 (652 experiences)
Survivor
Fast grower
About 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
Zamioculcas zamiifolia
Zamioculcas
Araceae
Alismatales
Also known as
Zanzibar gem, Zuzu plant, Aroid Palm, Eternity Plant and Emerald Palm
How to care for ZZ Plant
Water
How often to water your ZZ Plant
every 12
ZZ Plant needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 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
12
Light
Check the growing potential in your area
A plant's growing potential is determined from its location, the time of year, and current local weather.
Select a city to check sunlight intensity
Finding light for ZZ Plant in your home
a window
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 ZZ Plant in your home 🏡.
Nutrients
How to fertilize ZZ Plant
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 ZZ Plant after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.
FAQs
ZZ Plant is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!
Water Needs
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.
Sunlight Needs
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 🏡.
Toxicity
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
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.
Soil
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!
Fertilizer
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!
Dormancy
It’s common for 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
ZZ Plant is native to Southeastern Africa.
Flowers
ZZ Plant produces flowers in the wild, but does not flower when kept as houseplants.
Growth Pattern
ZZ Plant is a clumping plant, meaning new growth will emerge from the soil around the parent plant.
Growing Outdoors
USDA Hardiness Zone
ZZ Plant can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 9a-10b. Find your local hardiness zone here.
Propagation
ZZ Plant can be propagated by the stem method. To propagate:
- Make a cut just above the node. The node is the break in the stem where the leaf emerges.
- To get the cutting to root, you can either:
- Place the cutting in water until roots emerge and are ~2” long and then transplant into well-draining soil, or
- Place the cutting directly into well-draining soil and water when dry.
Common Issues
Overwatering is a likely cause of issues with 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!
Care Summary for ZZ Plant
ZZ Plant
Greg recommends:
Water
0.5 cups every 12 days
Placement
< 6ft from a window
Nutrients
Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.
What other plant parents say
Survivor 485
Fast grower 282
Large, lush leaves 150
Easy to propagate 74
Blooms easily 31
Browns easily 16
Pest magnet 4
04/06/2022
Gorgeous plant
03/30/2022
This plant loves low light, plant food when watering 1x every 1-2 weeks.
Fast grower
Blooms easily
Survivor
03/21/2022
I love Zz plants. They are easy to care for. Typically need watering once per month.
Survivor
03/20/2022
A plant that neither does nor grows, lol.
Depending on who you are that will sound boring or ideal.
Truly thrives on neglect.
Personally I love mine, it fills out my plant area, always looks green and healthy.
Survivor
03/15/2022
It cool and sexy and grow swaggily
Easy for amateur grower and does not call you mean names like “stinky meat bag” or “non photosynthsizer”
03/14/2022
This is an easy going plant doesn’t need a lot of attention. Let the soil completely dry out in between waterings and provide plenty of drainage for your Zz plant.
Keep out of reach of your cats and dogs (and children) as it can be harmful when consumed.
Survivor
Easy to propagate
03/12/2022
I’ve had my ZZ for a year and a half now, overwatered once and thought I was going to lose her, but she bounced back! Let ZZs dry out between waters and be sure to trim dying leaves off immediately when you see them. Also, if a whole stem is dying, prune right down to soil, or a little bit underneath, then cover over with some soil - it’ll grow right back. When pruning, be sure to use the right size shears because ZZs do not like jagged cuts.
Fast grower
Survivor
03/03/2022
Beautiful dark green, waxy leaves. And as a succulent, it doesn’t require much attention, but thrives just as well. A happy plant 🌱
Survivor
02/16/2022
I have neglected this plant for so long and it's as happy as can be.
Survivor
02/06/2022
Easy care, seems to thrive on neglect! Deep green, shiny leaves.
Survivor
01/25/2022
Will grow even in low light. Brown patches on stem appear if exposed to too much light.
Well draining soil mix.
Grows very slowly
Easy to propagate
Survivor
01/18/2022
Seems easy to take care of.
Fast grower
Survivor
01/14/2022
I love this plant! Very fast grower (it’s been about six months and it’s so much taller + there’s a baby now) and it’s very easy to care for. No matter how many days I’ve missed watering, this plant stands strong
Fast grower
Survivor
Browns easily
01/14/2022
I just got it yesterday so I only know one think it needs to be repotted have wait few else until it gets used to new environment 🤗🤗🤗🤗
01/06/2022
This is the number one plant to buy if you want to take care of plants as a hobby for the first time. If I could have a room full of only ZZ plants it would make me feel so good about my life because they could be locked in a dungeon and still thrive.
Survivor
01/03/2022
East care, very pretty and grow pretty quick!
Fast grower
Survivor
01/01/2022
This is a Black ZZ Plant and it’s honestly such an interesting one! Truly a survivor like the regular ZZ, but watching the leaves go from new growth green to an almost black is fascinating!
Survivor
01/01/2022
This plant pretty much takes care of its self. I water it once a month and it’s flourishing!
Fast grower
Easy to propagate
12/22/2021
Resilient plant and rewarding if you’re proactive about care. Some of my favorite new leaves - they look like little cocoons when they’re forming.
Survivor
12/21/2021
Super easy, low light plant looks great in my home office!
Fast grower
Large, lush leaves
Survivor
