Zamioculcas zamiifolia is a tropical perennial plant native to eastern Africa. The scientific name comes from the fact that the plant's leaves resemble a Zamia which is a genus of cycads. Zamioculcas zamiifolia is better known as a ZZ plant because the scientific name can be hard to pronounce. It has become a popular indoor plant and can be seen growing next to Snake Plants in places like malls and offices and is increasingly found for sale at the average greenhouse or florist.
I've wanted a ZZ plant for a while but didn't buy one because some of the prices I saw for them were pretty ridiculous in my opinion. One thing that bothers me is that this plant is often sold as a "bonsai" in places like the Home Depot greenhouse and can cost you anywhere from $10.00-$15.00. ZZ plants are slow growing and it takes time and money to produce them but I don't think that planting a six inch tall plant in a bonsai pot justifies that price. After checking the greenhouse all winter looking for a sign of ZZ plant shipments I finally found one at the same Home Depot for $5.00 in the spring.
Why grow a ZZ plant?
ZZ plant has a reputation for being an easy to grow, low light houseplant that can survive just about any condition you put it in. I've been toying with the idea of confining my houseplant collection to a specific theme. That theme being plants that we consider to be indoor plants that are native to Africa. After seeing ZZ plant touted in magazines, houseplant forums and just about every public space imaginable I wondered if they were really such an easy houseplant. Part of me wanted to buy a ZZ plant and see if I could kill it without really trying.
I tried to kill a ZZ plant.
I've often read that after a nuclear holocaust the only thing to survive would be roaches. I wouldn't be surprised to discover that the ZZ plant can withstand such an event and be one of two things to survive. I don't think it is possible to kill a ZZ plant but if you kill a ZZ plant maybe you should take up computers or crocheting as a hobby and leave houseplants alone.
When I bought my ZZ plant in the spring I brought it home and placed it in an east facing window and kept the shade drawn for two weeks and didn't water it. After two weeks nothing happened so I took the plant outside and left it on the porch where it received full sun and was watered by the rains. For the past two weeks it has been growing back inside in a west facing, low light, window and the ZZ plant has only lost one leaf since the spring. I don't recommend treating your houseplants like this I only did it to test how tough of a houseplant the ZZ plant really was. To my surprise my ZZ plant lived up to the hype and is even sending out new growth.
Watering a ZZ plant.
A ZZ plant prefers to be on the dry side and too much water will result in leaves turning yellow and falling off. ZZ plants develop thick underground tubers that the plant uses to store water this allows the plant to go for long periods of time without water. It may even drop all of the leaves to conserve water usage if you don't water it and as long as the tubers are firm your plant should still send out new growth when regularly watered. Too much water and you'll not only have leaves turning yellow but the tuber will begin to rot. Learn how to water your houseplants by picking them up.
Soil for a ZZ plant.
ZZ plants are succulent plants so use a fast draining soil. I'd opt out of growing it in a normal houseplant soil and would go with a cactus and succulent potting mix that you can find at your local greenhouse or home improvement store.
Lighting for a ZZ plant.
ZZ plants can tolerate low light as a houseplant but don't stick the plant in a windowless room and expect it to thrive. Just because a plant can tolerate low lighting indoors doesn't mean it is the best growing condition.
Propagating a ZZ plant.
ZZ plants can be propagated by separating the tubers or by leaf cuttings. You can remove a leaf and place it in moist soil and wait about a year for the leaf to start producing a new tuber. Can also be grown from seeds.
Caution with ZZ plants.
ZZ plants are considered toxic if eaten by pets or humans.
Can ZZ plants flower?
ZZ plants are Aroids and the only Aroid that can be grown from a leaf. It produces a flower similar (looks like corn on the cob to me) most other Aroids.