Plant Care Guide

ZZ Plant

Zamioculcas zamiifolia

The ZZ Plant, short for Zamioculcas zamiifolia, is one of the toughest and most reliable houseplants you can grow. Native to Eastern Africa, it has become a worldwide favorite because it thrives on neglect and adapts to almost any indoor environment. With naturally shiny, feather-shaped leaves that look so glossy they’re often mistaken for plastic, the ZZ adds bold, architectural greenery to homes and offices alike. It grows from underground rhizomes that store water, allowing it to survive long periods of drought. Whether you’re a frequent traveler, a busy professional, or a beginner gardener, the ZZ Plant is practically foolproof and can live for decades with minimal care.

Watering Requirements

ZZ Plants prefer to dry out completely between waterings, making them one of the easiest plants to care for indoors. Overwatering is the fastest way to kill this plant, so it’s better to underwater than overdo it.

Watering Schedule

  • Spring/Summer: Water every 2–3 weeks, when soil is fully dry.
  • Fall/Winter: Water even less often, sometimes only once a month.

Signs of Overwatering

  • Yellowing leaves, mushy stems, or root rot.

Signs of Underwatering

  • Drooping stems, wrinkled leaflets, or shedding leaves.

Pro Tips

Always use pots with drainage holes and dump excess water—ZZs hate “wet feet.”

Light Requirements

ZZ Plants are incredibly versatile when it comes to light, thriving in medium to bright indirect light but tolerating low-light conditions. While they can survive in fluorescent office lighting, growth will be slower and flowering is rare.

Ideal Placement

  • Indoors: Near a north or east-facing window, or a few feet back from bright light.
  • Low-light rooms: They will adapt, but growth may be sparse.

Signs of Too Much Light

  • Brown scorch marks or faded leaves.

Signs of Too Little Light

  • Leggy, stretched stems with widely spaced leaves.

Pro Tips

For the best balance, rotate the plant occasionally so growth stays even and upright.

Soil and Potting

A well-draining soil mix is essential for ZZ Plants, since their thick rhizomes are prone to rot in soggy conditions. Choose a loose potting medium that mimics the airy soils of their native habitat.

Best Soil Mix (containers)

  • 2 parts standard potting soil, 1 part perlite or lava rock, 1 part coarse sand or orchid bark.

Container Guidance

  • Use a sturdy pot with drainage holes; ZZ rhizomes can crack thin pots when crowded.
  • Repot every 2–3 years or when roots press against the sides of the container.

Pro Tips

Wipe leaves with a damp cloth monthly—this keeps their glossy look and improves photosynthesis.

Fertilizing

ZZ Plants aren’t heavy feeders and will do fine without frequent fertilization. A little plant food during the growing season can encourage faster growth and greener leaves.

Fertilizer Schedule

  • Spring/Summer: Fertilize once or twice with a diluted balanced fertilizer (20-20-20).
  • Fall/Winter: Skip feeding when growth naturally slows.

Deficiency Clues

  • Pale or slow-growing leaves may benefit from light feeding.

Pro Tips

Err on the side of under-fertilizing—too much can burn roots and damage rhizomes.

Pruning and Maintenance

Pruning is rarely needed for ZZ Plants, but occasional trimming keeps them looking tidy and prevents legginess. Older yellow or brown stems can be removed completely at the base.

Pruning Guidelines

  • Use clean, sharp scissors to cut stems at a 45° angle above a leaf node.
  • Remove fading leaves as needed to keep the plant fresh.

Maintenance Notes

  • Keep dust off leaves to maintain shine and prevent pests.
  • Stagger cuttings at different heights for a fuller appearance.

Pro Tips

You can use pruned stems to propagate new plants, either in water or directly in soil.

Common Problems and Solutions

ZZ Plants are low-maintenance but can show stress if overwatered, underlit, or exposed to pests. Thankfully, they bounce back quickly once conditions are corrected.

Yellowing Leaves

  • Cause: Overwatering or natural aging of older stems.

Wrinkled or Drooping Leaves

  • Cause: Extended underwatering; check soil dryness.

Leggy Growth

  • Cause: Insufficient light—move closer to a window.

Pest Issues

  • Occasionally mealybugs, scale, or fungus gnats; treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap.

Pro Tips

If stems turn mushy, unpot the plant, trim damaged rhizomes, and repot in fresh dry soil.