The Sensational ZZ Plant

When you name a plant after its first letter, the last in the alphabet, you can be sure there is some cheeky Latin behind it! Alien-looking plant with an unpronounceable name, we salute you!

For a few years now, it has been everywhere: in dentists’ waiting rooms, administrative offices and even in the homes of trendy friends who arrange plants like vases and decorative cushions. The Zamioculcas zamiifolia, or ZZ plant, is the big new thing for indoor plant lovers. In addition to being original because of its thick and glossy foliage, it has all the qualifications required to live inside as a houseplant. It grows well with little light, you can forget to water it from time to time without it holding it against you and it tolerates the dry air of our homes in winter. In short, when we say of a plant that it accepts being neglected, we are on the right track to rise ZZ plant to the top of the list of easy plants.

The Family’s Exception

At first glance, you might think that this plant from tropical Africa is a close cousin of cycads (Cycas revoluta), but that is not the case. The ZZ plant is more closely related to philodendrons, peace lilies (Spathiphyllum sp.) and aglaonemas, three beautiful subjects that also rank high on the list of easy-to-grow plants. The ZZ plant is most certainly unique, as it is the only species in the genus Zamioculcas. 

The leaves, often in limited quantities, reach 50 cm to 1 meter (2 to 3 feet) in length. And the only precaution to take is to handle them with care. The sap can be irritating for some people. Like many reliable plants, it grows slowly. It is in your best interest to choose a specimen that is well formed from the start. Because it rarely improves in this area. If you are one of those “really bad with plants” type, it’s better to learn to appreciate the ZZ plants and its little unfurnished style… but still alive!  

Easy to Grow

The ZZ plant has the ability to accumulate large reserves of water in tubers that strangely resemble potatoes, hence its good resistance to drought. It is not a plant that is watered often, but rather a plant that is watered a lot, from time to time, letting the soil dry out well between waterings. It is often excess water that causes the yellowing of the lower leaves. These tropical origins do not lie temperature-wise, because the thermometer should never drop below 12°C (53.6?), summer or winter. Indoors, the ZZ plant will grow near a window diffusing filtered light. Direct midday sun should be avoided. For fertilization, a fertilizer with a balanced ratio can be applied once a month, but it’s not necessary.  

Some Unique Varieties for Collectors

The ZZ plant has given rise to some very interesting cultivars. They can easily become plants for collectors… that collect easy plants! The big highlight these days are the varieties with very dark, almost black foliage, such as Zamioculcas ‘Raven’ or the ‘Supernova’ variety. There are also some dwarf varieties such as ‘Zamicro’ and ‘Zenzi’. Of course, you can also find a form with white-spotted foliage (f. variegata). Finally, ‘Lucky’ offers a touch of originality with its wider and more rounded leaves.

Its unique look makes it the perfect subject for refined decors where it easily takes center stage. A pale and discreetly textured container will enhance the dark green of the leaves. The ZZ plant is truly the living trinket par excellence.