How to take care of a ZZ plant? ZZ plant (Zamioculcas Zamiifolia) is a low-trouble plant with beautiful and colourful leaves, but sometimes, your ZZ plant can have yellow leaves or brown tips. I will tell you all the care tips for the Zanzibar Gem in the following, so if you are looking for a resistant and die-heart plant, Zamifolia is the best option. ZZ plant needs moderate light so that direct sunlight can lead this plant into death. ZZ plants need 50% humidity and can be poisonous to cats and dogs.
Get to know more about ZZ plants
This plant is known by the scientific name Zamioculcas Zamiifolia and belongs to the ARACEAE family. Zanzibar Gem plant has a unique photosynthesis system which is called the CAM system; this system is very similar to the system of cacti. Caring for Zanzibar Gems is easy because they are resistant against bad light and watering. because of this characteristic, it has the title of a “Super Strong Plant”. Zanzibar Gem plant has feather-shaped leaves, the stem length reaches 40 and 60 cm, and the leaves are dark green with a lot of shine. If you provide the ideal conditions for the plant, you will see small bright yellow flowers that are brown or bronze.
The scientific name of Zanzibar Gem | Zamioculcas Zamiifolia |
Common names | ZZ plant, Zanzibar Gem, eternity plant |
Suitable PH for potting soil | neutral to acidic soil (6.0-7.0). |
Time and color of blooming | Spring flowers are called Spadix and are white and yellow-brown colours. |
toxicity | It is mildly toxic to humans and pets |
Are ZZ plants poisonous?
The most common question is about the poisoning side of the ZZ plants for humans and animals. The answer is Yes. Zamioculcas Zamiifolia is classified as a poisonous plant. It is poisonous to humans and pets. The dangerous element is calcium oxalate crystals in various parts of plants that can be toxic to pets like cats and dogs.
Be careful! If you have sensitive skin, Zanzibar plants can hurt you (There is a plant that causes severe skin inflammation).
Wearing gloves when moving the zz plants or selecting the best place where your pets or children have less contact with it can be helpful.
Cleaning the leaves is mandatory
Before I talk about the maintenance conditions and needs of this plant, I should tell you at the beginning that since Zanzibar Gem’ leaves are more likely to be covered by dust, you should clean the leaves of ZZ plants with a damp cloth once a month so that the plant can carry out photosynthesis well. In a separate article, we discussed the methods of cleaning houseplant leaves, which you should read.
What is the symbol of the ZZ plant, and what are its benefits?
In the feng shui, the Zamioculcas zamiifolia plant symbolises dedication, stability, growth, and balance. If you choose the right place in the house, it can be known as a wealth plant. The other benefits of Zanzibar Gems are air purifying; it can easily remove xylene, ethylbenzene, and benzene significantly. Benefits of Zamioculcas Zamiifolia:
- It is the best option for the bedroom
- Spreading positive energy in Feng Shui
- It calms the mind
- It also has medicinal uses
How to care for a ZZ plants ?
Before I mention Zanzibar gem care, let me tell you that you should clean its leaves with a damp cloth once a month because that plant is highly prone to rot. Cleaning the leaves can help plant photosynthesis. Also, note that you should not use chemicals or polishes in any way because it will cause the pores of the leaves to close.
To care for the Zanzibar gem, you must know some main points. First of all, let me say that the growth of the Zanzibar gem is a bit slow. Zamioculcas zamiifolia maintenance is easier than you think, that’s the best choice for amateur people.
Can ZZ plants tolerate full sun?
Zanzibar gem is one of the plants resistant to low light. Still, it needs filtered light to grow optimally, so choose a place that provides at least 6-8 hours of filtered and indirect sunlight per day. In the absence of the light, this plant can not be grown as well as in a light place. Low light will make the slander stems, and the distance between the leaves will increase.
So, provide medium and filtered light for the plant and avoid direct sunlight, especially on hot days of the year. Direct sunlight can cause necrosis on the leaves of the plant, and if you keep the plant on the balcony, try to find a place that has shaded in the afternoon. If the plant is in a lightful place from the beginning of spring, it will gradually get used to it and can tolerate direct light, but its growth will be low. Indeed, if you do not have enough light in your apartment or the place where this plant has kept, you can use fluorescent lights or indoor plant growth lamps.
How often should water zz plant?
The zz plant plant is resistant to low watering the only factor that can destroy this plant is excessive watering, so be careful when watering it. Because this plant stores water in its roots (in the form of a rhizome), excessive watering will cause the rotting in the stem and plant roots. Before giving water to your plants, you have to check their soil. The soil should be dry to a depth of 3-4 cm between two waterings, but it depends on the size of the pot. Give the water to the plant until it comes out from under the Pot drainage, and throw away the water that comes out from it.
The pot’s drainage must be perfect for preventing water from accumulating in the soil plant, so do not water the plant until the pot’s soil is dry. Check the drainage once a month because the accumulation of water under the flower pot will cause rotting of the roots and stems of the plant. The wilting plant can show you are not overwatering the plant. Can estimate the time of watering according to the plant soil. Indeed, you can use the soil moisture sensors of the pot to determine the watering time of this plant.
Zamioculcas zamiifolia plant temperature:
This plant can resist rising temperatures. Still, the best temperature for plant growth is between 18 and 22 degrees Celsius (64 and 71 Fahrenheit ). The night temperature should not exceed 22 degrees, and the daytime temperature should not exceed 30 degrees. Suppose the daytime temperature is higher than 26 degrees Celsius. In that case, you must provide it with perfect humidity, which you can use the methods of dusting, or making an island. Dusting at noon and when the light falls on the leaves will damage their leaves.
Does zz plants like humidity:
ZZ plants are resistant to a lack of humidity due to waxy leaves. On the contrary, the humidity place will create the best situation for the growth of this plant. The usual humidity for the storage environment is 50%. For making a good place for the ZZ plant, try placing a pan full of water next to it. There are many ways to Moisture supply, make an island for a pot, use a cold misting machine, or spray water on hot days of the year. (spraying must be done according to a principle). Providing humidity above 60-70% can be one of the main factors of leaf spreading, so supply the humidity as much as possible.
What is the best soil for the zz plants?
ZZ plant needs soil with high drainage that allows water to pass through it well, which can be used for cactus soil or a combination of leaf soil + cocopeat and perlite. You can use sand in the first part (bottom of the pot). Note that the rhizomes of this plant cannot grow well in heavy soil and are more susceptible to rotting, so the light soil can help your plant to grow. You can use prepared ones if you have no experience mixing plant soil.
The best fertilizer for zz plants:
This plant needs nutrition like other houseplants. However, according to experience, try to use phosphorus (105210) and high-potassium fertilizers for nourishment. Too much phosphorus will cause root growth and the rhizomes of your plant; after that number of leaves will increase; however, you can also use 121236 and 20-20-20 fertilizers.
can i prune Zamioculcas zamiifolia?
If you want a fresh plant, do annual pruning, but this is optional, but be sure to remove yellowed and burnt leaves and rotten stems from the plant so that problems do not affect other parts of the plant.
when to repot ZZ plant?
There is the main rule: the smaller pot, the more plant’s leaf growth will be. According to this rule, the best time to change the jardiniere is when the roots plant comes out from under the pot. You can repot Zamioculcas zamiifolia when their rhizomes are pushing the jardiniere; or the plant growth stopped; because this plant does not like a big pot. So it should replace with a pot that is only one size different so that the plant growth stops for a short time. Try to do this at the beginning of spring so that less shock is given to the plant. But inside the house, if you provide the best conditions for the plant, it can be done in every season.
I suggest you read the article choosing a pot for your plants.
The steps of changing the zz plant pot:
They say the steps apply to planting a Zanzibar gem in a pot. (of course, replacing the pot after purchase must be done at least two weeks after moving):
- Be sure to buy one size larger pot than before
- Make a hole in the bottom of the pot to drain excess water from under the pot
- Pour pebbles or pottery (or anything that raises the drainage) on the bottom of the pot
- Now pour 1 to 2 cm of quality soil according to what we said above.
- Water the old pot and press around it and
- remove the plant from the pot carefully and place it in a new one (be sure to check the rhizomes before transferring to make sure they are in good condition and not rotten)
- Now fill the area around the root with soil.
- Do the first watering after changing the pot with fungicide and humic acid.
- Be sure to remove excess water from under the pot
- Place the pot in a place with filtered and indirect light
Does Zamioculcas zamiifolia have flowers?
ZZ plants rarely have flowers, and you must provide ideal conditions for the plant. ZZ plant has white flowers in the summer; its flowers are similar to other flowers of the Arase family called Spadix.
All kinds of zz plants species:
Zamioculcas zamiifolia (Raven): This species of Zamioculcas zamiifolia is called black crow in English because of its dark purple and almost black leaves. This species was relatively rare in Iran, and now I can say that most stores have it, and it has high resistance compared to the usual species.
Zamioculcas zamiifolia (variegated): The Ablaq species of this plant is one of the rare species, which is also known as the golden zz plant with cream and golden veins on the leaves, and it needs more light than the usual species, and you must provide it with good sunlight.
Can you propagation the zz plants in the home?
In a separate article, we discussed how the ZZ plant propagates through leaves, which you can see. But ZZ plants can be propagated in different ways, including leaf cuttings, stem cuttings, and rhizome division, which is the easiest and fastest way to divide the root or rhizome. That you can do when changing the pot. For reading more about the reproduction of Zanzibar gem, an article has been written that you can read in this section.
Propagation by cuttings from the stem requires a month for rooting, and it is better to separate the lower leaves. In the next step, separating leaves can be rooted in water or soil. Just place the cuttings in a place with relatively low light, and be sure to check the soil moisture.
Why is my Zamioculcas zamiifolia dying?
Still, here I will also mention some common problems and treatment methods. This plant does not suffer from pests and diseases. But Pests such as mealybugs, scales, and aphids can attack this plant. You can destroy it using poison and insecticide. Indeed, the prominent killer of the zz plant is excessive watering and lack of good drainage.
Why is my zz plants turning yellow?
In a separate article, we thoroughly examined the reasons for ZZ Plant having yellow leaves. If the lower leaves turn yellow and fall, this is entirely normal. You should not worry too much because as the plant ages, the plant cannot provide enough nutrients to all the leaves and the old leaves fall. If this yellowing is abnormal and all the leaves show that the maintenance conditions, especially the watering, are incorrect and you are overwatering the plant or the pot does not have good drainage. Immediately reduce the amount of watering and let the soil dry to a depth of 3-4 cm, and then do the irrigation. As I said, the yellowing and falling of old leaves are due to the lack of nutrition, so try to feed the plant well during the growing season.
What is the cause of the browning of the tips of zz plant leaves?
In many cases, this problem is related to the place where you keep the plant in it. A hot and dry place for keeping a plan means when the temperature rises and the humidity level decreases. So be sure to provide the required humidity of the plant by using different methods, such as basic dusting.
Be sure to read about browning of leaves of houseplants
The reason zz plants leaves become brown?
Browning of tips of the leaves on the Zanzibar gem can be a sign for many reasons. This symptom can be due to excessive watering in many parts of the leaf, and you must reduce the watering. On the other hand, the leaf burn problem shows that you have exposed the plant to direct and intense sunlight, so you must change the storage place. It is better to be at a distance of 1 meter from the window, or the light should be filtered using frosted glass or curtains for the plant.
Many people say that the zz plants is the cause of cancer, is it true?
This is a big rumour that, according to the investigations carried out, it was not confirmed in any way. Before you pay attention to the rumours, be sure to do complete research on each article.
Does Zamioculcas zamiifolia bring bad luck?
No, this plant and all species of the Zamioculcas zamiifolia family will bring good luck and growth in your life, contrary to what they show. The shiny and attractive foliage of this plant, with its green colour, is a sign and symbol of wealth and peace in the science of feng shui. It just has to be placed in the right place at home or work, because it is resistant, it is a good option for those who are not at home very much. So, it is excellent for you in addition to happiness because of easy maintenance.
As you know, ZZ plants are resistant and have a long life; on the contrary, ZZ plants can’t grow fast as you want. You can give your answer to some questions like ( are ZZ plants low light, are ZZ plants toxic, are ZZ plants easy to care for,….) from this article. If you have more problems with zz plants, write a comment on this page.
Hello, a question always bothers me: Why is the ZZ plant so expensive? Thank you for answering me.
ZZ plants are expensive compared to indoor plants because they grow slowly; you can buy plants like pothos, Aglaonema, dieffenbachia, or other plants at a lower price because they grow very fast. But ZZ plants take longer to grow, big enough to sell commercially.