What is a ZZ Plant?
ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is native to tropical regions of Africa. It was “discovered” by Europeans in 1829, but did not become popular as a houseplant until the late 1990s when Dutch nurseries began offering it for sale.
The ZZ plant is also known as the Arwood Palm because it is a member of the Arum family, also known as the Arwood family. All Aroid plants grow from rhizomes or tubers and their flowers grow on pollen surrounded by a patch.
The ZZ plant is a perennial in zones 10 – 12. In cold areas it is grown as a houseplant. It has a reputation as a good plant for those unable to grow houseplants because it can grow in almost no light and can last for months without water.
The plants grow from a thick rhizome that they retain for water during dry periods in their native environment. For this reason, if you forget to water your plant, it will not die. It will use the water stored in its rhizome to keep going until you remember to water it.
ZZ plants grow 3 to 4 feet tall. Plant stems with small leaves attached are not actually stems. They are the leaves of the plant. Plants have no stems. Each leaf (the leaves excluding the stem) grows directly from the rhizome. The leaves are shiny. Like other papers, it gets dusty over time but resist the temptation to use leaf polishing products to make it shine again. These products will clog the pores of the leaves and prevent them from breathing. Use plain old water to clean your leaves and return them to their shiny condition.
You cannot prune your plants to make them too bushy. If you cut off a leaf anywhere along its stem, it will not grow a new, dense stem. Alternatively, if you want more leaves, cut off the lower “stem” where it grows from the rhizome. This will signal the rhizome to grow more leaves.
The leaves, along with the stem, are another adaptation of the plant to the dry environment. They are thick and fleshy and hold water like a rhizome. They live up to 6 months. One way you can tell you need to water your ZZ plant is if the leaves start to fall. This means it has used up all its stored water so the plant gets rid of it to help conserve water in the rhizome. Don’t worry. Simply start watering your plant again and it will start growing new leaves to replace the dead and fallen leaves.
The ZZ plant blooms, but the flowers may be difficult to see because they are hidden under the leaves. The space around the flower is often confused with the flower. The actual flowers on the Spadix grow inside the Spadix. Spathe is light yellow or cream in color. Bloom time is mid-summer to early fall.
How to Grow a ZZ Plant
ZZ plants do best in bright, indirect light, whether grown indoors or outdoors. Avoid direct sunlight. This will burn the leaves. They will also thrive under the fluorescent lights found in office buildings.
Well-drained soil is essential. If the soil is not drained, the rhizome will rot and the plant will die. Regular soil works well. You can also add sand or perlite for extra drainage. Plant the rhizome in a pot that is one-third the width of the rhizome. If you use a pot that is too large, it will collect too much soil which will hold too much water and your rhizome will rot.
Don’t be tempted to repot your ZZ plant into a larger pot until it completely fills the current container. Wait until the rhizome actually touches the edge of the pot. Then transplant it into a larger pot, about a third as wide as the rhizome.
One way gardeners can kill this indestructible plant is by overwatering it. Too much water will cause the rhizome to rot. Simply water your ZZ plant every 2-3 weeks. A good rule of thumb is to water only when the top 3 inches of soil is dry.
Like most drought-tolerant plants, ZZ plants do not need fertilization. They thrive in poor soil. If you want to fertilize your plant, use a fertilizer designed specifically for houseplants and dilute it to half strength. Do not apply more than once or twice during the growing season.
How to Divide a ZZ Plant
When you purchase a ZZ plant, you will receive multiple roots per container. This is because plants grow faster when multiple roots grow together. To divide your plant, when you repot it, simply cut the roots and place them in separate pots making sure there is more than one rhizome in each pot.
How to grow ZZ plants from leaf cuttings
You can propagate your ZZ plant via leaf cuttings as long as you have plenty of time and patience. It may take from 6 months to a year for a new rhizome to form.
You can take pieces anywhere on any card as long as it has at least two connected cards. Place the “stem” in a pot with moist, well-drained soil. I always moisten the soil before I put my cuttings in because I find that if I water them later, it washes away the soil and the branches together. Then place the container and cuttings in a plastic bag to create a moist environment. Place it in a window with indirect light. Check the soil periodically to make sure it is moist. Not wet, just wet. The leaf may die. decent. At this point a new rhizome should grow in the soil. It will take 6 months to a year for the new rhizome to become large enough to start growing its own plants.
