At a glance
The ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) has become one of the most popular houseplants in the UK over the past decade, and the reasons are easy to understand. It tolerates low light conditions that would kill most other houseplants, survives extended periods without water thanks to thick rhizomes that store moisture underground, grows slowly enough to stay in the same pot for years, and produces handsome, glossy deep green leaves on gracefully arching stems that look genuinely architectural in an interior setting. For a room with difficult light conditions – a north-facing office, a dim hallway, a room that rarely gets direct sun – the ZZ plant is one of the most reliable choices available alongside the cast iron plant and peace lily.
The plant’s reputation for near-indestructibility is largely deserved, but it does have one significant vulnerability: overwatering. The same rhizomes that allow the ZZ plant to survive drought also rot readily if they sit in consistently wet compost, and root rot is by far the most common cause of ZZ plant decline in UK homes. Understanding that this plant genuinely needs to dry out completely between waterings – and resisting the urge to water it on the same schedule as other houseplants – is the single most important aspect of its care.
Varieties available
The standard Zamioculcas zamiifolia is the version most widely available and the one most people mean when they refer to a ZZ plant – a slow-growing plant reaching 60-90cm in maturity with deeply glossy, pinnate leaves on arching stems. Raven is a dramatic cultivar with leaves that emerge bright green and gradually darken to a near-black purple-black as they mature – the colour contrast between new and old growth on the same plant is striking and makes Raven one of the most visually interesting houseplants currently available. Zenzi is a compact dwarf form with shorter, more densely set stems and slightly wavy leaves – it reaches only 30-45cm and is well suited to a shelf or desk where a full-sized ZZ plant would be disproportionately large. Like the jade plant, the ZZ plant’s care needs are consistent across all varieties – the cultivation advice below applies equally to standard, Raven and Zenzi.
Light, temperature and position
The ZZ plant’s tolerance of low light is genuine and well-documented, but it is important to distinguish tolerance from preference. In very low light – a poorly lit corner away from any window – the plant survives but grows extremely slowly and produces smaller, less glossy leaves than one in a better position. The ideal position is bright, indirect light: within 1-2 metres of a window that receives good natural light but not direct sun. In direct summer sun through glass, the leaves can bleach and develop pale, washed-out patches. A position near a north or east-facing window, or set back from a south or west-facing window, is typically ideal in a UK home.
Temperature requirements are undemanding by houseplant standards – the ZZ plant is comfortable anywhere between 15°C and 26°C and will tolerate the cooler end of a typical UK home in winter without difficulty. It dislikes cold draughts and temperatures below 8°C, which can cause leaf yellowing and root damage. Keep away from external doors in winter and from air conditioning units in summer. Unlike many tropical houseplants, it does not need high humidity – the average humidity of a UK home is entirely adequate and misting is unnecessary and potentially harmful if it keeps the leaves wet for extended periods.
Watering and feeding
The ZZ plant’s underground rhizomes store water and nutrients, giving it a genuine drought tolerance that most houseplants lack. Allow the compost to dry out completely – all the way to the bottom of the pot – between waterings. In a typical UK home this means watering every two to four weeks in the growing season and every four to six weeks or less in winter. The most reliable way to check is to push a finger into the compost to the full depth of a finger – if it feels damp at all, do not water. When you do water, water thoroughly until it runs from the drainage holes and then allow the pot to drain completely before returning it to its saucer.
Never allow the pot to sit in water in a saucer – the rhizomes and roots will begin to rot within days of sustained waterlogging. If the pot has been overwatered, remove it from its saucer, allow it to drain on a rack for an hour, and check that the drainage holes are free. Feed lightly during the growing season – one application of a balanced liquid houseplant fertiliser at half the recommended strength in April, June and August is ample. The ZZ plant is a slow grower and does not require or benefit from heavy feeding.
Quick care reference
Repotting and propagation
The ZZ plant grows slowly and is content in the same pot for two to three years before repotting becomes necessary. Signs that repotting is due include roots appearing through drainage holes, the rhizomes visibly pushing above the soil surface, or the plant drying out very rapidly after watering because the root mass has displaced most of the compost. Repot in spring into a pot one size larger – a 15cm to a 19cm, for example – using a free-draining compost mix. A general houseplant compost mixed with approximately 30% perlite or grit gives the drainage the ZZ plant needs to avoid waterlogging. Never repot into a pot significantly larger than the current one – excess compost stays wet for too long without roots to absorb it, increasing rot risk.
Propagation is slow but achievable by three methods. Division at repotting time is the simplest – separate the rhizomes into sections, each with at least one stem, and pot individually into fresh compost. Leaf cuttings work but are a test of patience – remove a healthy leaf with its short petiole attached, insert into moist perlite or a mix of compost and sand, and wait. Roots and a tiny rhizome develop at the base over several months before any visible new growth appears above soil – typically six to nine months before a new plant is evident. Stem cuttings taken in spring and summer root more quickly than individual leaves and are the preferred propagation method when speed is the priority.
Clean the leaves regularly to maximise light absorption. The ZZ plant’s glossy leaves are excellent at reflecting as well as absorbing light, but they accumulate dust that reduces photosynthesis efficiency. Wipe each leaf with a damp cloth every few weeks – working from the base of the leaf to the tip to avoid breaking the stem. This is particularly important in rooms with low ambient light where the plant is already working with limited resources. Clean leaves also look significantly better and show off the natural gloss that makes the plant so attractive.
Common problems and solutions
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