ZZ Plant: Meet a Long-Lasting Houseplant With a Forgiving Heart
Low light and little watering won't scar ZZ plant; this East Africa native has a tolerant nature and an exotic beauty
Sara Rivka Dahan
8 May 2018
Houzz Contributor, blogging at www.creativejewishmom.com about a creative life in Northern Israel. A designer and writer by trade, a crafter by night, with a passion for houseplants.
Houzz Contributor, blogging at about a creative life in... More
Relatively new on the houseplant scene, the zee zee plant, or the ZZ plant, zamioculcas zamiifolia, is an exotic yet easygoing houseplant that is forgiving if you forget to water it, can survive in low light and rarely needs fertilising. To top it off, it also seems mostly resistant to pests. While it may not exactly thrive on neglect, as some rumours have it, the zee zee plant certainly is tolerant of it, thanks to its conditioning to severe drought in its natural East Africa habitat.
The zee zee plant grows from a stout, succulent rhizome, which forms the plant’s root system. The potato-like rhizome stores water and helps this plant survive both forgetful owners as well as droughts in its natural habitat.
It is normally evergreen but becomes deciduous during drought periods, shedding its leaves and going dormant until water returns. If your plant does lose its leaves, as long as the tubers are firm, it should still send out new growth when you resume regular watering.
It is normally evergreen but becomes deciduous during drought periods, shedding its leaves and going dormant until water returns. If your plant does lose its leaves, as long as the tubers are firm, it should still send out new growth when you resume regular watering.
When the zee zee plant is small, it has stalks that remain fairly upright, though as it grows you can encourage the stalks to bow for an elegant decorative effect, especially when the plant is displayed on a stand in a low planter.
Despite its drought-tolerant nature, the zee zee plant will be healthiest with regular watering, interspersed by periods in which the soil is allowed to dry out. Overwatering is the one way to destroy it; erring on the side of dryness is preferable to risking tuber rot. Never allow the plant to sit in water, or allow the soil to become soggy.
The zee zee plant can tolerate low light as a houseplant, but don’t place it in a windowless room and expect it to thrive. Tolerance of low lighting indoors doesn’t mean that this is the best growing condition.
Despite its drought-tolerant nature, the zee zee plant will be healthiest with regular watering, interspersed by periods in which the soil is allowed to dry out. Overwatering is the one way to destroy it; erring on the side of dryness is preferable to risking tuber rot. Never allow the plant to sit in water, or allow the soil to become soggy.
The zee zee plant can tolerate low light as a houseplant, but don’t place it in a windowless room and expect it to thrive. Tolerance of low lighting indoors doesn’t mean that this is the best growing condition.
A small zee zee plant’s erect stalks and shiny leaves make it the perfect centrepiece plant, not just because it will tolerate a moderately lit spot on the dining room table, but also because it’s a slow grower and rarely needs repotting.
The zee zee plant is a great pass-along plant, because it is very easy to propagate, either by division of the rhizomes or from leaf cuttings.
Propagation by dividing rhizomes: Do this in spring or summer, and keep in mind that because of its slow growth, dividing one large zee zee plant will produce a bunch of small plants that will take many years to reach the size of the parent.
Remove the plant from the pot along with as much soil as possible; be careful not to damage the rhizomes and roots. Any dead, decaying or damaged roots should be cut with shears, not torn. The rhizomes can be separated if possible or cut if necessary, and then repotted into individual pots. Cuts increase the chance of fungus, which can prohibit new growth. Some specialists recommend soaking the rhizomes in an anti-fungal solution overnight, though try to find one that’s not toxic if you go this route, since poisonous ones require special handling.
Propagation using leaf cuttings: Remove a leaf and place the lower end in a moist, gritty compost and wait several months to a year for the leaf to start producing a new tuber. Periodically to mist the soil. The leaves may decay, though succulent bulb-like structures should form in the compost, and you can repot them to produce small new plants.
Propagation by dividing rhizomes: Do this in spring or summer, and keep in mind that because of its slow growth, dividing one large zee zee plant will produce a bunch of small plants that will take many years to reach the size of the parent.
Remove the plant from the pot along with as much soil as possible; be careful not to damage the rhizomes and roots. Any dead, decaying or damaged roots should be cut with shears, not torn. The rhizomes can be separated if possible or cut if necessary, and then repotted into individual pots. Cuts increase the chance of fungus, which can prohibit new growth. Some specialists recommend soaking the rhizomes in an anti-fungal solution overnight, though try to find one that’s not toxic if you go this route, since poisonous ones require special handling.
Propagation using leaf cuttings: Remove a leaf and place the lower end in a moist, gritty compost and wait several months to a year for the leaf to start producing a new tuber. Periodically to mist the soil. The leaves may decay, though succulent bulb-like structures should form in the compost, and you can repot them to produce small new plants.
Keep your plant looking great by gently wiping the leaves with a damp cloth. Don't use leaf-shine products, which can damage it.
A row of zee zee–filled pots is an attractive, low-maintenance design element that will look pretty much the same for years and will not require repotting. So it’s OK to invest in gorgeous pots; they’ll serve you for many years to come.
How to care for a zee zee plant
Temperature: The average room temperature should be 16 to 24°C.
Light: Bright to low light. Keep the plant out of direct sunlight, which can scorch the leaves.
Water: Water thoroughly and allow the top five centimetres of soil to dry out between waterings. Soggy soil will cause the rhizomes (roots) to rot. With too much water, the leaves will turn yellow and fall off.
Soil: Fast-draining medium soil works best to avoid root rot. Mix one part good-quality, all-purpose potting mix with one part sharp sand or perlite. A cactus mix works well too.
Feeding: Fertiliser is optional. If desired, fertilise four times a year with a balanced liquid fertiliser diluted by half.
Humidity: Average indoor humidity. No special conditions are required.
Height: This plant is slow growing but can reach up to 90 centimetres indoors. It grows much taller in its native habitat.
Cautions: All parts of the plant are toxic to animals and humans if ingested.
Natural habitat: East Africa. In zee zee’s natural habitat, small, insignificant flowers may appear at the base of plants in summer; it rarely flowers indoors. The plant can be kept outdoors as long as the temperature does not fall below 15°C, though is best grown in temperatures between 18 to 26°C. Hot temperatures will cause an increase in leaf production, so keep your zee zee plant clear of air conditioning come summertime if you’d like to see it grow.
How to care for a zee zee plant
Temperature: The average room temperature should be 16 to 24°C.
Light: Bright to low light. Keep the plant out of direct sunlight, which can scorch the leaves.
Water: Water thoroughly and allow the top five centimetres of soil to dry out between waterings. Soggy soil will cause the rhizomes (roots) to rot. With too much water, the leaves will turn yellow and fall off.
Soil: Fast-draining medium soil works best to avoid root rot. Mix one part good-quality, all-purpose potting mix with one part sharp sand or perlite. A cactus mix works well too.
Feeding: Fertiliser is optional. If desired, fertilise four times a year with a balanced liquid fertiliser diluted by half.
Humidity: Average indoor humidity. No special conditions are required.
Height: This plant is slow growing but can reach up to 90 centimetres indoors. It grows much taller in its native habitat.
Cautions: All parts of the plant are toxic to animals and humans if ingested.
Natural habitat: East Africa. In zee zee’s natural habitat, small, insignificant flowers may appear at the base of plants in summer; it rarely flowers indoors. The plant can be kept outdoors as long as the temperature does not fall below 15°C, though is best grown in temperatures between 18 to 26°C. Hot temperatures will cause an increase in leaf production, so keep your zee zee plant clear of air conditioning come summertime if you’d like to see it grow.
What are you working on?
Related Stories
Renovating Advice
How Do I Find, Assess & Hire the Right People for My Renovation?
Do you need a kitchen designer or a joiner? An architect or an interior designer? Find out with our essential reno guide
Full Story
Renovation Guides
What Key Measurements & Room Dimensions Should I Know for a Reno?
Read practical information about key room measurements and minimum clearances for fittings and fixtures in every room
Full Story
Kitchens
How Practical Is... Handleless Joinery?
Handleless joinery is popular in modern homes. But how suitable are cupboards that can only be opened with a touch?
Full Story
Most Popular
12 Decorating Tips to Make Any Bedroom Look Better
By Anne Ellard
Want to know how to make your bedroom look better? Here are 12 great tricks
Full Story
Renovation Guides
Room by Room: Experts on Ways to Avoid Common Renovation Blunders
From the kitchen to the garden, and all areas in between, experts identify common mistakes and share priceless insights
Full Story
Interior Design
The Golden Rules of Proportion: Decor Laws You Need to Know
An interior designer reveals the essential rules for achieving a perfectly balanced interior
Full Story
Most Popular
5 Reasons Your Bathroom Smells Funky (and How to Fix the Problem)
A plumber reveals five reasons your bathroom might smell like sewage or emanate a musty odour
Full Story
Most Popular
From Planning to Pendants: Kitchen Lighting Essentials
By Joanna Tovia
This valuable guide will give you all you need to know about choosing kitchen lighting for fabulous form and function
Full Story
Most Popular
The Full Picture: How High Should Your TV Be?
By Matt Clawson
We look at an important question to consider when locating your television: how high should you set it?
Full Story
Bathrooms
All the Dimensions You Need to Know for Your Bathroom Makeover
Fit everything comfortably in a small or medium-size bathroom by knowing standard dimensions for fixtures and clearances
Full Story
I do advise talking to your local garden center or nursery before using any treatments. They of course have plenty of experience with what will work best for your plant.
If you want something stronger that will solve the problem with one application, get BIFEN. Use it the same way but only one application will be needed every month or two for ongoing, long lasting control.
Both products will control any pest that may want to live in the soil or on any house plant. And both can be used inside or outside.
Organic Insect Killer: http://www.amazon.com/Safer-567GAL-32-Insecticidal-Concentrated-Pyrethrin/dp/B00BIDYQCG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1397594400&sr=8-1&keywords=safer+567
Bifen IT: http://www.amazon.com/Bifen-Control-Solutions-Insecticide-Concentrates/dp/B00ID2C49W/ref=sr_1_16?ie=UTF8&qid=1397594444&sr=8-16&keywords=bifen+it
Centipedes are beneficial to houseplants, as they eat the decaying leaf matter. I have them in my peace lily, and the plant is thriving. It puts out one or two new shoots a month, even in winter, and hasn't lost a leaf at the base yet (knock wood). At first, I was horrified (worms!) and tried to get rid of them. But I read more about them, and now I leave them alone. They never crawl out of the pot, and if they seem to be getting too big or too prolific, you can always get rid of a few or move them to an outside garden. Be grateful for your centipedes.