All About ZZ Plants: Sunlight, Care, and Growing Tips

Grown indoors, ZZ Plants can grow up to two or three feet (.6-.9 meters) tall and wide, sometimes more. The plant is a slow grower and usually takes three to five years to grow to this size, though some grow faster and gain six or so inches per season.

How to Care for a ZZ Plant or Zamioculcas Zamiifolia

Looking for a highly dependable easy-care houseplant? The ZZ Plant is for you. Find out our tips for keeping it in the best condition.

The Zamioculcas zamiifolia, or ZZ Plant, is a tropical perennial native to Eastern Africa. It has become popular worldwide in recent years due to its tolerance of a wide range of conditions—a highly dependable houseplant, it can tolerate low light and has low water requirements. Sometimes nicknamed the “Zanzibar Gem,” the ZZ grows smooth, naturally shiny leaflets that range from bright lime in their youth to an emerald green in their maturity. Individual leaflets are typically one to three inches long and spring from thick, slightly bulbous stalks, which grow from large, water-storing rhizomes hidden underneath the soil.

How much sunlight does a ZZ Plant need?

Though it can tolerate lower indirect light, the ZZ thrives in medium to bright indirect light. It will be happy with a minimum of six hours per day and can tolerate up to 12 during the warmer months. It is important, however, to keep it away from intense, direct sun—for instance, by moving it towards the center of the room or placing a sheer curtain or drape over south-facing windows.

How often should you water a ZZ Plant?

Water your ZZ Plant every 2-3 weeks, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. Expect to water more often in brighter light and less often in lower light. Signs that it is thirsty include wilting, wrinkled leaves, and dry potting mix, while wet mix or yellowing and mushy leaves signal overwatering and root rot.

Do ZZ Plant need humidity?

It is not important to account for humidity levels when caring for a ZZ, which can handle average home humidity and even somewhat dry air. If you would like to recreate the humidity levels it would experience in its native climate, though, aim for 40-50% humidity. Humidity levels can be increased by grouping plants together or adding a humidifier or pebble tray.

What temperature does a ZZ Plant prefer?

Most houseplants prefer temperatures in the 65°F-85°F range (18°C-30°C). It’s best not to let them get much lower than that: We recommend 60°F (15°C) as a baseline.

How big does a ZZ Plant get?

Grown indoors, ZZ Plants can grow up to two or three feet (.6-.9 meters) tall and wide, sometimes more. The plant is a slow grower and usually takes three to five years to grow to this size, though some grow faster and gain six or so inches per season.

Are ZZ Plant easy to care for?

The ZZ Plant is a low-maintenance houseplant. There is not much you will need to take into account, aside from the water and light levels into account; that said, fertilizing every six months, or even monthly in the growing season, will provide additional nourishment. In the rare event plant pests appear, treat them with weekly sprays of a natural pesticide like neem oil and regular wipe-downs of the plant. As for soil, pick a well-draining potting mix and add ingredients such as perlite or lava rocks to increase aeration as needed.

Are ZZ Plant safe for pets?

The ZZ Plant is not a pet-friendly plant, it can be irritating to cats, dogs, and humans if foliage is consumed. The best practice is always to keep houseplants out of reach of small children and pets.

Precautions

Though some have suggested that the ZZ Plant specifically causes cancer, or has any cancer-causing pathogens, there is no evidence to support this specific claim. With that being said, again, we do recommend keeping this plant away from pets and small children as it can be quite irritating if consumed.

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All About ZZ Plants: Sunlight, Care, and Growing Tips

Cori Sears is a writer with over a decade of experience, specializing in houseplants, gardening, and home decor. She writes about trending news, interior design, houseplants, and gardening for The Spruce. Her expertise in these areas has led her to contribute to other major publications including Better Homes and Gardens and Apartment Therapy.

Julie Thompson-Adolf is a Master Gardener and author with over 30 years of experience in year-round organic gardening; seed starting, growing heirlooms, and sustainable farming.

Sarah Scott is a fact-checker and researcher who has worked in the custom home building industry in sales, marketing, and design.

Low-maintenance zz plants are Zamioculcas zamiifolia, characterized by their shiny, wide, oval-shaped leaves that shoot upward and quickly grow in a home indoors.

The plant natively grows in East Africa, namely Zanzibar and Tanzania. The plants are also called Zanzibar gems for their spotless, waxy leaves that are so deep green that sometimes, these plants are mistaken as artificial.

ZZ plants are slow-growing plants that prefer bright, indirect sunlight. One of the benefits of zz plant is that it can thrive in many lighting conditions. If you plant or repot a zz, do it in the spring or summer when it’s in an active growth phase. These plants are toxic to humans and animals if ingested.

Light

ZZ plants are tolerant of a wide range of lighting conditions, which makes them well-suited to indoor growing. The plants can grow in low-light conditions. They can quickly become leggy if not given enough light. When placing the plant in your house, choose a bright, indirect light spot, preferably in a room with south-facing windows. Avoid direct sunlight, as this can scorch the leaves of your plants.

Soil

ZZ plants are not overly picky about their potting medium as long as it is well-draining. Most standard potting mixes should be sufficient for your plant. If additional drainage is required, mixing in perlite or sand will help.

Water

These plants are highly drought-tolerant and can handle infrequent watering thanks to their thick rhizomes. You should generally water zz plants once the soil dries out completely—usually once every two weeks, depending on their growing conditions. It’s better to water your plant less than give it too much water. When watering, wet the soil thoroughly until the water is running out of the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot. Get rid of the excess water.

Temperature and Humidity

Average household temperatures and humidity are acceptable for Zanzibar gems. ZZ plants do not tolerate cold temperatures well (no lower than 45 degrees Fahrenheit), so avoid placing your plant in a location close to drafts or particularly cold areas of your home. ZZ plants don’t require humid conditions, but if your home runs on the dry side, consider increasing the humidity around your plant by purchasing a humidifier or placing it on top of a tray filled with pebbles and water.

Fertilizer

ZZ plants generally do not require regular fertilizing to thrive. However, if you’re hoping to increase your plant’s size or vigor, fertilize your zz plant with indoor plant fertilizer diluted to half-strength one to two times during its active growing season.

Types of ZZ Plant

Some of the best zz plant varieties are as follows:

• Zamioculcas zamiifolia ‘Raven’: a relatively new variety that is distinguished by its dark purple-maroon foliage
• Zamioculcas zamiifolia ‘Lucky Variegated’: characterized by green foliage that is variegated with white and yellow; variegation fades if not given adequate light
• Zamioculcas zamiifolia ‘Zamicro’: a dwarf version of the zz plant with shorter stems and smaller leaves

Propagating ZZ Plant

ZZ plants propagate in two main ways: through division and stem cuttings. Propagation by division is the simplest way to create more plants—separate the rhizomes the next time you repot your plant and place them in separate containers.

Propagating with stem cuttings takes longer than propagating by division, and you may need to wait six to nine months before roots begin to grow.

1. Cut an entire stalk, including leaflets using a sterilized and sharp cutting tool.
2. Remove the bottom leaves from the stem, and place the stalk in a jar of water.
3. Place in indirect light. Roots should form in a few months. Change water weekly to prevent bacterial growth.
4. When root growth is substantial, place the plant into a container filled with potting mix.

Potting and Repotting ZZ Plants

ZZ plants should be repotted only once they have outgrown their potting container. Repotting is needed when you see the rhizomes pressing up under the soil against the edge of the container or warping the shape of the container. The plant may also show signs of stress if it has become root-bound.

As with most houseplants, it is usually a good idea to wait until the spring or summer to repot the plants because they will be better able to tolerate being disturbed during the active growing period. Choose a potting container one size larger with ample drainage holes for your Zanzibar gem.

Common Pests

ZZ plants are virtually disease-free, but keep an eye out for common houseplant pests such as mealybugs, scale, fungus gnats, and aphids that may infest this plant. Use insecticidal soap to eliminate most of these pest problems.

Common Problems With ZZ Plants

A common problem with a Zanzibar gem is how much water the plant is receiving. If the leaves drop, the plant is dehydrated and needs water. The opposite is true if the leaves are yellowing and dropping simultaneously; give the plant more water. If the top 3 inches (roughly the length of your finger) of soil are dry, the plant is ready for water.

ZZ plants are said to be impossible to kill because they tolerate poor conditions and neglect, making this an excellent plant for beginner indoor gardeners.

This plant grows somewhat slowly. But, it does generate a handful of new stems per year. It also grows in spurts of a couple of inches or more at a time in a season.

Since it’s tough as nails, it’s a long-lasting plant. ZZ plants are also called heirloom plants because you can pass them from generation to generation.

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1. The zz plant | horticulture and home pest news. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.
2. Zamioculcas zamiifolia. North Carolina State University Extension.
3. Common Houseplant Insects and Related Pests. Clemson University Home and Garden Information Center.