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When it comes to growing houseplants, it can feel like a constant fight to keep things alive. We have all lost plants over the years. If you’re looking for something that isn’t challenging at all, consider growing ZZ plants.
ZZ plants, also known as Jewels of Zanzibar, are perfect houseplants for beginners and experts alike, as they are low maintenance and tolerant of all kinds of environmental conditions. They have an unusual look that will also stand out from the usual pothos and dracaena.
Ready to learn all about these remarkable beauties?
Contents
All About ZZ Plants
The botanical name for ZZ plants is Zamioculcas zamiifolia. No wonder we call it the ZZ plant. It originated in East Africa, but today people around the world keep it in their homes.
The oval leaves of ZZ plants are often mistaken for artificial because they produce a bright green, variegated, or almost black color with a waxy coating. Plants can grow up to five feet tall with leaves running the length of the stems.
Outdoors, this plant thrives in USDA Growing Zones 10-12.
There are three cultivars of this plant that you will commonly find at your local garden store or online. These are the standard species, plus ‘Raven’ and ‘Variegata.’
The only difference between these three ZZ plant cultivars is color. ‘Raven’ cultivars are known for their dark purple foliage that looks almost black inside your home. The variegated cultivar has green and yellow foliage. The main species has medium green foliage.
Then there are a few rare cultivars that you may be able to track down.
‘Zenzi’ is a dwarf cultivar with a dense, compact growth, while ‘Zamicro’ is small but proportionate, making it look like someone has simply shrunk a full-sized plant. ‘Jungle Warrior’ has almost black foliage and is known to be exceptionally hardy.
Finally, ‘Lucky’ comes in the classic rounded leaf cultivar, while ‘Lucky Giant’ has huge rounded leaves.
Choose the right floor
Finding the right soil is essential when bringing home a new plant. The good news is that ZZ plants aren’t too picky about what soil they prefer. This means that as long as it’s well drained, they’re happy. Any standard potting soil will do.
If you’re concerned about humidity levels or tend to overwater, add a handful of perlite. This will provide more drainage and keep your plant happy as it grows.
They also grow well in leca, if that’s what you prefer.
Make sure the pot you use has good drainage so standing water doesn’t sit against the roots.
Ideal light levels
ZZ plants are not only adaptable to different types of soil, but they can also grow in a variety of lighting conditions. For many plant growers, lighting is one of the hardest things to get right. This houseplant takes the guesswork out of the situation.
Although ZZ plants grow in darker areas, they prefer bright, indirect light. In front of a window with a curtain is perfect. Avoid direct sun. It’s best not to place your plant directly in front of a window that receives a lot of sunlight.
Black or variegated cultivars need a little less light to maintain their color.
Temperature and humidity
The lowest temperature at which ZZ plants can grow is 40℉. If you plan to place your plant near a window and you live in a cold region, be careful of drafts which can harm your plant.
In addition to temperature, another factor to consider is humidity. Although ZZ plants are tropical, they don’t need a lot of moisture to grow.
Now that we’ve covered the three main elements of growing ZZ plants, let’s move on to maintenance techniques.
Caring for ZZ Plants
All plants need water to grow. If you’re new to gardening, it can be easy to overwater your plants. Getting the right balance for every plant is difficult because the same watering schedule won’t work for all of your houseplants.
For ZZ plants, rhizomes make your life easier because they store moisture in case you forget to water for a week. You can leave your plant for a few days and nothing bad should happen. That being said, it is ideal to check your houseplant as much as possible.
If you feel the soil has become dry and hard, you’ve waited too long to water your plant. Soil should be just dry to the touch on the surface before watering. For most of the year, you’ll probably need to water weekly or bi-weekly. It is better to water too little than too often.
Fertilizer
Fertilizer helps your plant grow and fill out, but you don’t want to overdo it. ZZ plants are not very greedy. Use a mild, balanced houseplant food like this one from Easy Peasy Plants, but dilute it by half.
Apply fertilizer once a month in spring, summer and fall.
Are ZZ plants poisonous?
Nature can be wonderful. It provides us with many beautiful plants, but even the prettiest ones can be harmful.
ZZ plants contain calcium oxalate crystals which can cause skin irritation and can potentially lead to stomach pain if digested. These crystals can also be toxic to pets, which is another reason to choose a location wisely when growing this plant.
However, just because these plants contain toxic elements shouldn’t stop you from bringing home a ZZ plant. There are some safety measures you can take to ensure that you and your family stay safe when handling this plant.
Every gardener should own a pair of gloves for pruning, and you should place your plant out of the reach of children and pets.
Size and cleaning
Some plants are needy and will need regular pruning to keep them in shape and prevent them from overgrowing. Fortunately, ZZ plants are an exception. They do not need to be pruned. All you need to watch out for are the leaves turning yellow.
You can simply remove the leaves if they discolor. Discolored leaves are just a drain on the plant, plus they look ugly.
Clean your sheets if dust accumulates there. You should never clean the leaves with soap. Instead, go over them gently with a damp cloth.
Common diseases and pests
When caring for houseplants, you’ll often be able to tell if there’s something wrong just by looking at them. The color and texture of the leaves is a dead giveaway.
pests
Houseplants are normally affected by the same pests, so you can practice spotting them quickly in order to get rid of them. Here is a list of the most common pests:
If you don’t already have a supply of neem oil or insecticidal soap, then you need to stock your cupboard. A solution of neem oil or insecticidal soap is the perfect remedy for these household pests that tend to infect ZZ plants.
Diseases
Another amazing thing about these plants is that they rarely catch diseases. Root rot is the most common problem.
The reason for yellow, brown, wrinkled, or mushy leaves is often due to your watering schedule. It’s easy to overwater these plants and when you do, they tell you through the leaves.
It is practice makes perfect. If you discover discolored or soggy leaves, reduce your watering and check your plants frequently to see how they are recovering. Eventually, you will get there!
Companion plants
Plants like to be kept with other species that have similar needs. Why not collect several indoor plants and display them in your home? The best companion plants for ZZ plants are aglaonema, calathea and kalanchoe as they have similar requirements.
Growing ZZ plants is simple if you give your plant the right climate, enough water, and keep an eye out for pests. It’s so easy!
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