ZZ Plants: Everything You Need to Know
The ZZ Plant, or Zamioculcas zamiifolia, is a beautiful, quick-growing, low-maintenance plant. This perennial with thick, glossy oval-shaped leaves shooting upward from thick stalk-like stems is often mistaken for being artificial. ZZ Plants are quite adaptable and can tolerate various growing conditions, making them easy to care for, whether you're a plant novice or an expert.
ZZ Plant Characteristics
Common Names
Eternity plant, Aroid Palm, Emerald Plant and Zanzibar Gem.
Family
Araceae
Mature Size
2-4 ft. tall, 2-4 ft. wide
Sun Exposure
Partial
Soil Type
Well-draining
Soil pH
Neutral, acidic
Native Area
Africa
Types of ZZ Plants
There are roughly 15 varieties of Zamioculcas plant. Some are commonly available; others are more rare to find. New varieties are constantly springing up, including variegated ZZ plants. Some of the more popular and easily found include:
- Zamioculcas zamiifolia 'Raven': This new variety is known for its dark purple-maroon leaves, though new growth starts bright green before turning dark.
- Zamioculcas zamiifolia 'Lucky Variegated': This variety has a marble effect on its white and yellow variegated foliage, which will fade if not given adequate light.
- Zamioculcas zamiifolia 'Zamicro': This variety is the mini version of the common species, standing at only 16 inches tall.
- Zamioculcas zamiifolia 'Zenzi': This variety is also a mini cultivar (12-14in.) but with denser foliage and curlier leaves.
- Zamioculcas zamiifolia 'HANSOTI13': This variety is even more compact than 'Zamicro' with more leaflets per leaf and shorter internodes.
- Zamioculcas zamiifolia 'Heemzamio': This cultivar first came about in 2012 as a sport of the species and had foliage so dark it appeared almost black.
Common Zamioculcas Plant Problems
ZZ Plants are relatively easy to care for but can show signs of distress occasionally. Typically, any issue with the ZZ Zamioculcas zamiifolia can be traced back to the amount of water the plant is getting. If you notice dropping, yellow or brown leaves, this points to watering issues. Check the soil to find out if under or overwatering is the issue. These plants are drought-tolerant and prefer less water to too much water, which can lead to root rot and, eventually, plant death.
To mitigate any watering issues with your plant, get a self-watering easyplant pot. All you have to do is checking the pot's reservoir once a month and fill it when empty, and the built-in watering system takes care of the rest.
Common ZZ Plant Pests
One of the great things about the Zamiifolia plant is that it is practically disease-free. However, pests can be attracted to this houseplant. Keep an eye out for scale bugs, fungus gnats, aphids, and mealybugs. You may see the pests themselves or signs of their presence, like milky webbing on the underside of leaves, dark spots on the foliage, or a sticky substance referred to as honeydew. To get rid of pests, use an insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Get Yourself a ZZ Plant with easyplant Today!
ZZ Plants are hardy plants that grow under various conditions and can tolerate low-light conditions and infrequent watering. The plant's low-maintenance nature makes them ideal for a new plant owner. They're a gem in anyone's plant collection.
