Zamioculcas zamiifolia
Zamioculcas zamiifolia (ZZ Plant) Care Guide
Featured photozamioculcas-zamiifolia.jpgZamioculcas zamiifolia is the ZZ plant, an East African succulent aroid with thick, glossy, dark-green leaflets on upright stems emerging from a fleshy underground rhizome. It is famous for being almost indestructible — tolerating low light, irregular watering, and dry air better than nearly any other tropical plant. It is one of the most popular office plants worldwide.
Care facts at a glance
- Light
- Medium light
- Water
- Water when the mix is fully dry; typically every 2 to 3 weeks.
- Humidity
- 30–50 %
- Temperature
- 16–27 °C
- Soil
- Standard well-draining houseplant mix with extra perlite.
- Toxicity
- Mildly toxic. Calcium oxalate sap. (humans) · Toxic to cats and dogs per ASPCA Zamioculcas listing. (pets)
- Origin
- East Africa from Kenya to South Africa.
- Mature size
- 60 to 90 cm tall.
Overview
Zamioculcas zamiifolia became a popular houseplant in the 1990s and has remained a workhorse of low-light indoor planting. The Raven cultivar with deep purple-black foliage is a popular newer variant.
Care Priorities
- Tolerates very low light; medium light is the sweet spot.
- Water rarely; the rhizome stores months of moisture.
- Free-draining mix.
- Wipe the glossy leaves regularly to keep them efficient at light capture.
Common Problems
Yellow leaves with mushy bases is overwatering. Brown crispy edges are dry air. Slow new growth is normal — ZZ pushes only a few new stems per year.
Sources & further reading (3)
- encyclopedia — accessed 2026-04-28
- botanical-garden — accessed 2026-04-28
- toxicity-database — accessed 2026-04-28
Frequently asked questions
How often should I water?
Every 2 to 3 weeks in summer, every 4 to 6 weeks in winter. ZZ plants are far more tolerant of underwatering than overwatering.
Why is it so hard to kill?
The thick rhizome stores enough water for months of drought. Combined with low light tolerance, it survives where almost nothing else will.
Raven vs typical ZZ?
Same care. Raven has near-black foliage but the same growth habit and tolerance. New leaves emerge green and darken over weeks.
