We’ve got lots of information for you on one of our best-selling houseplants. Our latest blog post is all about the Zamioculcas Zamiifolia, which you may also know as the ZZ Plant or the Zanzibar Gem. This dark green houseplant has gorgeous glossy leaves that will happily grow to fill any corner of your room. It’s also perfect for newbies, thanks to its willingness to be (a little) neglected.
We know you love this beautiful botanical, that’s why we’ve pulled this handy care guide together, featuring all the tips and tricks you need to know to help your plant thrive. We hope you have fun learning more!
Fun facts about the Zamioculcas Zamiifolia
The ZZ Plant is a flowering plant that belongs to the family Araceae. Despite this, it rarely produces flowers – at least not ones you can see. It originates from Zanzibar (which explains the name) and is native to eastern Africa, northern South Africa and southern Kenya. It’s been popular in homes since approximately 1966, which is when Dutch nurseries first propagated the plant ready for worldwide distribution.
Other fun facts include:
- The Zanzibar Plant can grow to two to three feet with the right care.
- The smooth, shiny leaves are capable of growing to 40-60cm long.
- There are two colour variations of the plant. The first is raven, which produces purple-maroon leaves, while the other is predominantly green with white or yellow variations.
- The plant has a thick stem, which means it’s technically classified as herbaceous.
A complete guide to ZZ Plant care
The Zamioculcas Zamiifolia is such a low maintenance, easy-to-care-for botanical – perfect for newbie plant parents and office workers looking to brighten up their desks. Follow our simple care tips below, and you’ll be an expert in no time!
Watering
You only need to water the ZZ Plant once a month. The rhizomes store water, making the plant incredibly tolerant to droughts. As a result, aim to leave the soil to dry out in between watering to prevent the leaves from going yellow. Another tip is to decrease the amount you water your plant during the winter. Your ZZ plant won’t need nearly as much when it’s cold and the light levels are lower.
Be very careful not to let the plant sit in water, and don’t let it have too much to drink all at once. That way, the roots will stay nice and healthy.
Sunlight
The Zamioculcas Zamiifolia loves medium or bright, indirect light. It’s also happy in low light levels too, so it’s a perfect all-rounder that you can place pretty much anywhere. If you choose to place your plant in a shadier spot, bear in mind that it won’t grow as much as it would in bright light.
Temperature and humidity
This leafy beauty doesn’t need to be misted. It’s more than happy in a dry environment, so normal household conditions are fine. The plant prefers warmer temperatures – anything below 18 degrees celsius is too cold. Keep your botanical away from draughts and radiators, and it’ll thrive.
Soil and feeding
The ZZ Plant doesn’t really mind what soil it lives in, as long as it drains well. They don’t need regular fertiliser either (we told you it was a low maintenance beauty!), so you don’t need to worry about feeding your plant every month. However, this glossy, leafy botanical does benefit from an occasional feed (once every 3 months) during the growing months in spring/summer. Just watch those pale green shoots grow.
Leaf maintenance
Make sure you keep the leaves dust-free by wiping or dusting them down once a month. You can also spray our Plantsmith Beautifying Leaf Shine directly onto the leaves to maintain their green, glossy shine. Keeping them dust-free is important, especially in winter to ensure it maximises the amount of light it receives to ensure photosynthesis can take place. Otherwise, a clean, damp cloth works perfectly fine.
Shop the Zamioculcas Zamiifolia at The Little Botanical
We have a gorgeous selection of ZZ Plants at The Little Botanical. Take your pick from our collection below. We’ve even paired them with other easy to care for beautiful botanicals, making the perfect bundle of greenery.
Big Zamioculcas
The Big Zamioculcas is the largest ZZ Plant we offer. You can choose between our signature grey copper pot or woven belly basket – both of which add style and colour to any room they’re placed in. Pop it in an empty corner to add life and green vibes to your home.
Zamioculcas
If you’re after something slightly smaller, our medium size Zamio is perfect for window sills, tabletops and shelves. Choose from a variety of three pots and position this beautiful botanical somewhere you can admire it for years to come.
Easy-Care Plant Bundle
Our Easy-Care Plant Basket Bundle makes light work of choosing the perfect botanical to go with your ZZ Plant. Featuring our large Zamioculcas in a belly basket and the equally fab Dracaena, this easy-going bundle is a gorgeous combination and perfect for newbie plant owners. Where will you put yours?
Plant Gang for Newbie Plant Parents
You’re going to love our Plant Starter Bundle. We’ve paired our Zamioculcas in a grey pot with low-light loving, easy-care plants to make the perfect plant gang for new plant parents. Each houseplant is so simple to care for and will bring you many months of happiness with a little TLC.
Marble Plant Gang
This easy-to-look after Marble Plant Gang includes the Large Haworthia (Zebra Cactus) succulent and, you’ve guessed it, the Zamioculcas. They both come in gorgeous marble planters that are on-trend and a gorgeous addition to any home. Be sure to put them out on show where everyone can see them.
Pothos and Zamio Marble Planters
Our Marble Plant Stand Duo includes a Satin Pothos in a stunning marble-effect pot and short black metal stand. Paired with theZamio in a marble pot, this gorgeous combination offers a stylish update to your kitchen or living space with little effort.
Zamioculcas Zamiifolia FAQs
Here are the answers to some of your most asked ZZ Plant questions. Give us a shout if yours isn’t on the list.
Is the Zamioculcas Zamiifolia an air purifier?
The ZZ Plant is a well-known air purifier, removing chemicals from the air – such as benzene, toluene and xylene. These chemicals sound scary, but they’re found in all sorts of everyday items, like cleaning products.
What does the ZZ Plant symbolise?
According to Feng Shui principles, the ZZ Plant represents luck and good fortune with its thick, textured leaves. Many plant people like to place their Zamio in the office or in their homes to add good vibes to their day.
Is the Zamio safe around pets?
The Zamio is toxic to humans and pets when ingested, so we’d advise not letting you your pets or little children near the plant, in case they nibble on the leaves.
We hope you’ve enjoyed learning more about this fabulous houseplant. If you have any more questions or want to know something specific about your Zamioculcas Zamiifolia, reach out to us at [emailprotected]. We’d be more than happy to help make your plant journey as easy as possible. Until next time, plant people!
Lots of love, Team TLB xx
