ZZ Plant Care: What to Know

Hello and welcome to HealthyHouseplants.com, where we teach you all about gardening and the great indoors. Today’s video is sponsored by our Amazon affiliate link, which you’ll see in the comment section below.

Today, I’m going to talk to you about one of my favorite plants. I have a lot of favorite plants, but this one is such a favorite plant — it’s called the ZZ plant. Its botanical name is Zamioculcas zamiifolia, but since that can be a little difficult to say, we simply call it ZZ. It’s a fun name and easy to remember!

The ZZ plant is native to Eastern Africa, and besides having a great name, it has shiny, dark green, oval-shaped leaves and a very upright growth habit. It’s really an eye-catcher, as you can see — that’s why I have it here so you can get a good look at it. The ZZ plant has thick foliage, and one of the characteristics of plants with thick foliage is that they don’t need watering as often because they hold in moisture.

One key thing to keep in mind with the ZZ plant is to avoid overwatering it. Essentially, you don’t want to over-love this plant because overwatering is one of the few ways you might lose it. But rest assured, it’s very hard to lose this plant since it’s so easy to grow. In fact, the ZZ plant was named Plant of the Year by the Florida Nursery Growers and Landscape Association in both 2002 and 2009. It’s tough as nails!

The ZZ plant is sometimes mistaken for a cycad, which is an ancient family of plants that includes sago palms. However, the ZZ plant isn’t a cycad; it’s in its own unique category. One of the many great features of this plant is its ability to tolerate low light better than most indoor plants. You can place it in a darker corner of your living room, and it will still thrive, although it will grow more slowly in low light. If you provide it with more light, it will grow faster. It’s also highly drought-tolerant, so be sure to let the soil dry out before watering.

When it comes to watering, wait until the soil is almost completely dry, as indicated by a moisture meter. If you don’t have a moisture meter, make sure the first inch or so of soil is dry before you water. The ZZ plant can tolerate a wide range of lighting conditions, from low to bright light, but it will grow best in medium to bright light.

In terms of fertilizing, you can feed your ZZ plant every three to six months, with six months being sufficient. Another interesting characteristic of this plant is that it grows from the base and puts out new shoots regularly, so you’ll often notice new growth appearing at the base.

This ZZ plant that I have here is about four or five years old. When I first got it, it was only about eight inches tall. I had it in lower light for a while to see how it would perform, and while it stayed healthy, it didn’t grow much. Recently, I’ve moved it to a brighter spot near full-spectrum lighting, and in the past year, it has started growing much faster.

I like to experiment with new houseplants to see how they do in various light conditions. The ZZ plant is a relatively new houseplant, so I’ve been testing it in different environments. Unlike many plants, the ZZ plant doesn’t get leaf burn in brighter light, which is another great feature. So far, I haven’t seen any pests on this plant either, making it an even more desirable option for indoor gardening.

In recent years, ZZ plants have become more readily available, so you should have no problem finding one to add to your collection. I think you’ll have a lot of fun with this plant!

Thank you for stopping by today. Please remember to like, comment, subscribe, and share this video. Let me know if there are any indoor gardening tutorials you’d like to see!

FAQ about ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

What is the ZZ plant’s botanical name?

The ZZ plant’s botanical name is Zamioculcas zamiifolia, though it is commonly referred to as the ZZ plant for simplicity.

Where is the ZZ plant native to?

The ZZ plant is native to Eastern Africa.

What are the main features of the ZZ plant?

The ZZ plant has shiny, dark green, oval-shaped leaves and an upright growth habit. It is known for its thick foliage, which allows it to retain moisture, making it a low-maintenance plant.

How often should I water my ZZ plant?

Since the ZZ plant retains moisture, it doesn’t need to be watered frequently. Wait until the soil is almost completely dry before watering. Using a moisture meter or checking the dryness of the top inch of soil is a good practice.

Can the ZZ plant tolerate low light conditions?

Yes, the ZZ plant can tolerate low light conditions, though it may grow more slowly. For faster growth, provide medium to bright light.

Is the ZZ plant drought-tolerant?

Yes, the ZZ plant is highly drought-tolerant, which means it can go for longer periods without watering compared to many other houseplants.

How often should I fertilize my ZZ plant?

You can fertilize your ZZ plant every three to six months. Six months is usually sufficient for maintaining healthy growth.

Does the ZZ plant grow new shoots?

Yes, the ZZ plant grows new shoots from the base, and you will often notice new growth appearing at the base of the plant.

What lighting conditions are best for the ZZ plant?

The ZZ plant can tolerate low light but grows best in medium to bright light. It can also thrive in areas with full-spectrum lighting without experiencing leaf burn.

How long does it take for the ZZ plant to grow?

The ZZ plant grows slowly in low light but can grow faster when exposed to brighter light. For instance, after being placed near full-spectrum lighting, my ZZ plant started growing much faster in the last year.

Are ZZ plants easy to find in stores?

Yes, in recent years, ZZ plants have become more widely available and are easier to find in stores and online.

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