Gardening Houseplants How to Grow and Care for ZZ Plant This resilient houseplant thrives despite low light and infrequent watering. By Nadia Hassani Nadia Hassani Nadia Hassani is a gardening and food writer with more than two decades of hands-on gardening experience in vegetable and fruit gardening, landscaping with native plants, and garden design. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on April 26, 2024 In This Article View All In This Article Where to Plant Care Pests and Problems Propagation Types FAQ Close Dean Schoeppner. Sporting leaves that appear to have been polished to a magnificent luster, ZZ plant adds bold texture to indoor gardens. Native to warm, arid, shaded landscapes in East Africa and South Africa, ZZ plant is right at home in dry interior settings. This easy-care houseplant thrives in low light conditions, such as that from east- or north-facing windows. It is also highly drought-tolerant as it stores water in its thick, fleshy leaves and plump, tuber-like rhizomes. It grows slowly and in spurts. The ZZ plant was discovered in the early 1800s but only became widely available as a houseplant in the 1990s. It quickly gained a reputation for being indestructible and just the right houseplant for people who claim they can't keep houseplants alive. ZZ plant is toxic to humans and pets. ZZ Plant Overview Genus Name Zamioculcas zamiifolia Common Name ZZ Plant Additional Common Names Arum Fern, Cardboard Palm, Eternity Plant, Aroid Palm Plant Type Houseplant Light Part Sun, Shade Height 1 to 3 feet Width 2 to 3 feet Special Features Low Maintenance Propagation Division, Leaf Cuttings, Stem Cuttings Where to Plant ZZ Plant A ZZ plant will thrive in your home in any place where it gets low or bright indirect light. Keep it away from any cold drafts, vents, or air conditioning units. 23 of the Easiest Houseplants You Can Grow ZZ Plant Care Tips The ZZ plant is considered one of the best houseplants for beginners because it requires only minimal care. Light Many houseplants tolerate low light, but ZZ plant has exceptional tolerance. It is naturally a very slow-growing plant and when placed in a site that has limited natural light, it will seem to maintain its size and shape for months. In a growing spot with a few hours of bright indirect light (avoid direct sunlight as it harms the foliage), ZZ plant should show visible growth over the course of a couple of months. Soil and Water ZZ plant thrives when its soil dries out between waterings. Water the plant well, allowing excess water to thoroughly drain out of the bottom of the pot. Then test the soil before watering again. Sink your finger about an inch into the soil; if the soil is dry to the touch, water the plant well. If the soil is moist, check the plant again in a few weeks. In many interior settings, ZZ plant needs to be watered only every couple of weeks. Remember, drainage is essential. Be sure excess water can flow out freely from the pot. Temperature and Humidity The plant propers in warm, tropical temperatures between 65 and 80 degrees F. Temperatures under 50 degrees F stunt the growth of the plant. ZZ do best with 40% to 50% humidity. Increase the humidity in your home by using a humidifier or grouping houseplants closely together. Fertilizer Apply a low-dose liquid fertilizer according to label directions twice a year. If you neglect to fertilize ZZ plant, it is very forgiving. Simply fertilize it when you remember and wait at least 6 months to fertilize again. Pruning There is no need to prune ZZ plants other than to remove any yellow or damaged leaves with sharp, clean scissors or pruning shears. Potting and Repotting ZZ Plant A peat- or bark-based potting soil or a potting mix for aroids works well for ZZ plant. It will grow for many months before requiring repotting. A sign that ZZ plant needs to move to a larger container is when the roots begin to circle around the inside of the container. When repotting, use a container that is only slightly larger than the original container. Pests and Problems The ZZ plant is rarely affected by disease or insect issues but like other houseplants, it may get scale insects, aphids, whiteflies, or spider mites. 23 Indoor Plants for Low Light, Perfect for Brightening Up Your Home How to Propagate ZZ Plant ZZ plants can be propagated from stem cuttings, leaf cuttings, or by division. Follow these step-by-step instructions for the different propagation methods. Which propagation method you select depends on how quickly you’d like to get results (division is the fastest method). Types of ZZ Plant 'Raven' ZZ Plant The leaves of this variety start bright green and turn a dark purple-maroon as they mature. 'Chamaleon' ZZ Plant Aptly named, the multicolor leaves of this variety change their color from a bright golden yellow when they emerge to a rich, dark green. 'Zamicro' ZZ Plant The dwarf version of the ZZ plant maxes out at 12 inches in height when mature. Frequently Asked Questions Is ZZ plant poisonous to touch? It is recommended to wear gloves when handling the ZZ plant such as moving, repotting, or propagating it, as the sap can cause skin irritations. What is so special about a ZZ plant? It is one of the most low-maintenance and resilient houseplants; it survives neglect and thrives in low light and with infrequent watering. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources Better Homes & Gardens is committed to using high-quality, reputable sources—including peer-reviewed studies—to support the facts in our articles. Read about our editorial policies and standards to learn more about how we fact check our content for accuracy. "Zamioculcas zamiifolia." North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension.