How to care for Raven ZZ plant : The ZZ Black plant is a species of ZZ plant whose leaves are black and magnificent. If we want to give you an overview of this family, the ZZ plant is a popular houseplant with fleshy and shiny leaves. But not only did the beautiful appearance of this plant make it famous, but because it does not have acute conditions for life and growth, it made it famous because today, due to the busyness of daily life, people do not pay much attention to plant care. This plant can be a good option for Offices and homes.
The ZZ Black plant are more expensive compared to other ZZ plants varieties , but its attractive leaves increase the purchase value; in addition, this species needs better light compared to other species, but its keeping conditions, such as watering, are the same as other species.so stay with us to get familiar with it’s needs .
In what year and how was The ZZ Black plant born?
Interestingly, The ZZ Black plant first appeared in a greenhouse in South Korea. The owner of the greenhouse noticed the change in the color of the ZZ plant leaves, and this change continued with the propagation. This spontaneous change occurred in 2006, and due to the unique color of this plant, which was green at the beginning like other ZZ plants and over time and with the maturity of the leaves, It darkened and turned into an attractive deep purple-black color, much appreciated.
One of the attractive species of Zamioculcas zamiifolia (ZZ plant), which has a dark green leaf color tending to purple, is The ZZ Black plant, more commonly known as Raven ZZ, which belongs to the Arase family and is native to East Africa.
You can get more information about this plant in the table below.
Common Name | ZZ plant, Zanzibar gem, eternity plant |
Botanical Name | Zamioculcas zamiifolia |
Family | Araceae |
Plant Type | Perennial |
Mature Size | 2-4 ft. tall, 2-4 ft. wice |
Sun Exposure | Partial |
Soil Type | Well-draining |
Soil pH | Neutral, acidic |
Bloom Time | Spring |
Flower Color | Yellow, green, white |
Native Area | Africa |
Toxicity | Toxic to humans, toxic to pets |
Are Raven ZZ species rare?
Raven is a relatively new species of the large Zamifolia family. It used to be much rarer and more expensive than it is now, but over time, it became available to the general public and became a little cheaper, but it is still more expensive than other types.
How to care for the Raven ZZ plant?
This plant is also known as the Raven ZZ plant or ZZ plant black. The keeping method of the Raven ZZ plant is not different from typical or green ZZ plants, but because the color of the leaves of this plant is dark purple, close to black.
How much watering does Raven ZZ plant need?
Raven ZZ plant is like green ZZ plant, which means it does not need much watering to survive and can survive for several weeks without water. Still, if you do not fully satisfy its water needs, we should not expect favorable growth from the plant. Raven ZZ plant has a significant amount of rhizomes. It stores water and nutrients in itself. Note that the higher the amount of irrigation, the more it will be stored. The irrigation method is when the soil surface is dry to the extent of a few centimeters (at least one-third of the soil in the pot or 3 to 4 cm of the soil should dry), then we will do the next irrigation, in this case, the plant will have a favorable growth.
Note that both the soil and the pot must have good drainage. Otherwise, it will eventually cause the roots and stems of the plant to rot. Be sure to have a hole in the bottom of the pot and use light soil.
How much light does the Raven ZZ plant need?
In general, the ZZ plant is one of the shade-loving plants, which means it can survive in conditions where no light shines on it (I emphasize that it can only survive, and you should not expect good growth from it). This plant does not have a problem with a lot of light, except for direct light between 11:00 and 3:00 (summer), because this amount of light causes the leaves of this plant to burn, so if you want to keep this plant in the terrace or balcony, during the light At noon, the plant should be in the shade, the best amount of light that makes the Raven ZZ plant grow properly is from the south window.
To have good growth and excellent freshness of the plant with colorful and well-shaped leaves, provide the plant with a lot of filtered light for at least 6-7 hours a day; direct and high light can cause the leaves of your plant to burn. So try to filter direct sunlight for this plant with a curtain or frosted glass. In addition, if your house needs more light, you can use lights.
Do Raven ZZ Plants Need More Light?
This species needs a lot of light compared to other species, although you can grow the Raven ZZ plant in low, medium or relatively high light. In low light, the plant will grow little.
What is the type of soil used by the Raven ZZ plant?
One of the essential features for maintaining Raven ZZ plant is to have high and light drainage, which means that there must be perlite and cocopeat in the soil composition. It should be noted that the end of the pot has suitable holes for water to exit because, as you know, staying And the accumulation of water in the soil and the bottom of the pot causes the plant to suffocate and rot and the plant to die.
You can use the combination of cocopeat + perlite (or sand) + peat moss + very little garden soil to mix the ZZ plant black soil, or you can use ready-made soil and, if possible, disinfect the soil before use.
How much moisture does the Raven ZZ plant need?
As we know, the Raven ZZ plant is not sensitive to the amount of humidity in the air, and the only thing that should be observed is that it should not be placed in the vicinity of cooling and heating systems.
This plant can quickly grow enough in the humidity of the house. It means that you can quickly deal with the humidity of the house, but in Raven ZZ plant care, if you want your plant to have broad and attractive leaves, you must provide at least 50% humidity for the plant by using an island or a humidifier.
What is the temperature required for the Raven ZZ plant?
The suitable temperature for the growth of the Raven ZZ plant is more than 10 degrees Celsius, but it can survive at 5 degrees Celsius. But the best temperature, i.e., the ideal temperature for the Raven ZZ plant, is 18 to 23 degrees Celsius; this plant can quickly grow at home temperature but pay attention that it is outside the vicinity of cooling and heating systems. Also, it should be placed outside the entrance. As the temperature rises, you should increase the humidity and watering.
What is the right fertilizer for the Raven ZZ plant?
If you buy a plant or change a pot from rich soil that contains a mixture of compost, you no longer need to feed the plant. But in general, to strengthen the growing Raven ZZ plant, you can use NPK fertilizers that have high levels of phosphorus and nitrogen, such as 10-52-10 or 20-20-20 or 10-10-10, in the growing season of the plant, which will start from the beginning of spring and continue until early autumn, every 3 to 4 weeks. Be sure to use water-soluble or liquid fertilizers.
If you want to have a healthy plant, be sure to read the fertilizer for zz plants post.
What are the diseases and pests that the Raven ZZ plant suffers?
Raven ZZ plant is a plant that does not have any unique and dangerous diseases and is one of the resistant plants. Still, one of the problems of the ZZ plant and the diseases that the plant suffers from is root rot, which results from excessive watering or exposure to heavy soil. It is soil that does not have proper drainage.
In such cases, it is better to wait to water the plant for a few weeks until the amount of water collected in the pot dries up, then change the amount of water and the type and composition of the soil and, if necessary, change the pot. Also, be sure to do the following two irrigations with fungicide.
Among the losses that destroy Raven ZZ plant is aphids or mealybugs. It is better to check the plant once in a while, and if it is observed, clean the branches and leaves with a particular pesticide or spray with soap and water.
Be sure to read the article why does my zz plant have yellow leaves?
How is the Raven ZZ plant propagated?
Because the Raven ZZ plant is unique and rare and is more expensive than other ZZ plants, its reproduction is very valuable. It is propagated in three ways: dividing the plant, propagation through leaf cuttings, and propagation through stem cuttings.
All ZZ plant propagation methods are time-consuming and require at least three months. If you don’t like to remove the plant from the pot, it is better to use the method of leaf-cutting and branch-cutting. The most common and easiest propagation method is through stem cuttings; the longest is through leaf cuttings.
In what season and when is it necessary to replace the Raven ZZ plant pot?
According to personal experience, the growth rate of the Raven ZZ plant is low, but it is written in some sources that the plant grows fast. In such a way that if it has suitable conditions during the growing season, it can grow 1 cm per day, so before the plant exceeds the capacity of the pot, both in terms of branches and leaves and in terms of roots, it is better to transfer the plant to a pot. Move a bigger size.
According to my personal experience, the pot of this plant can be changed every year or even every two years; if you want your plant to grow a lot, you should let the plant grow as much as possible in a smaller pot.
Pay attention that the new pot is manageable because as the pot gets bigger, the amount of irrigation increases and causes more water to accumulate and causes the plant to rot. Also, we must keep in mind the presence of drains with suitable dimensions in the new pot before planting. If this amount is small, we should plant them in the appropriate size and then use them. The best season to change the pot is spring.
First, fill the bottom of the new pot with good quality soil, remove the ZZ plant from the previous pot, remove the slimy roots that have rotted from the plant, put it in the new pot and fill it with soil. Water the plant, pay attention not to press the soil and do not compact it because it must have a suitable density so that the excess water comes out from the bottom of the pot.
Pruning the Raven ZZ plant
Raven ZZ plant, because it grows taller with the growth of its branches, can be more suitable for the amount of light that reaches other leaves and for the appearance of the plant used at home or in the workplace. Prune the main branch. Meanwhile, gloves are better when pruning because the plant sap may spill on your hand and cause skin inflammation.
Does Raven ZZ plant bloom?
Raven ZZ plant has flowers, and if the plant has reached maturity, its flowers appear in a particular season (around late summer to early autumn). For those who keep this plant, the main goal is not because of the beautiful use of its flowers, but the main goal is the glossy, leathery and evergreen leaves.
Is the Raven ZZ plant poisonous?
ZZ plant is one of the poisonous domestic plants, and it is better to keep ZZ plant away from the reach of children and animals because there are no lethal substances in the sap of this plant. The composition of this sap, like Dieffenbachia, contains calcium oxalate (CaC2O4). If children or pets eat it, it will cause kidney and digestive problems. Also, this plant is considered one of the household air-purifying plants.
Can Raven ZZ be one of the air-purifying plants?
Yes, Zamioculcas zamiifolia has air-purifying properties and can remove volatile organic compounds of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene from the air.
Summary of Raven ZZ plant care
Raven ZZ plant has green leaves at first, and as the color of its leaves matures, it gradually becomes dark green and approaches purple, and the reason for its name is the color of the leaves. All its maintenance and propagation methods are the same as the green ZZ plant. If you have any questions or comments, There is something about the Raven ZZ plant that we did not mention, or if you have a question, we will be happy to help you and use your information.