ZZ plants (commonly known as Zanzibar Gems) are low-maintenance houseplants with shiny, deep green leaves that shoot upward. The zigzagged pattern of these plants makes them easy to spot and can sometimes lead people thinking they’re artificial!
ZZ plants are slow-growing but if you do need to plant or repot one, go in the spring or summer when it’s active. The zz is mildly toxic for humans and animals.
ZZ Plant Care
The ZZ plant thrives in a basic care environment with enough light and water. It’s an easy-to-grow houseplant, that even gardeners who hate plants can keep it alive!
Growing a zz plant can be tough, but don’t worry too much about forgetting to water it. These plants store their moisture under the soil and are thus drought-tolerant! Though they thrive outdoors in Africa (or other dry places), indoor grown ones will suffice almost anywhere you place them.
By reducing the amount of dust and debris on Zanzibar gem plants, you can keep them looking healthy for years to come. Leaves naturally develop a dull shine as they age but with some simple maintenance methods like gently wiping away dirt from those pores, this beautiful plant will remain bright!
Light
With a wide range of light conditions, these plants can survive and grow well in any location. They’re also happy without much natural sunlight but love bright indirect lighting with some protection from direct rays which might scorch their leaves or cause them to become leggy over time.
Soil
ZZ plants are not overly picky about their potting medium as long as it’s well-draining. You can use most standard potting mixes for ZZ, but if additional drainage is required you may want to mix in perlite or sand (these ingredients help).
Water
These plants are extremely drought-tolerant and can handle infrequent watering. ZZ plants should generally be watered once the soil dries out completely—usually every week or two depending on their growing conditions. Avoid overwatering. Better water your zz plant less, than encounter overwatering problems later.
Temperature and Humidity
Most of the time, Zanzibar gem plants are just fine with average household temperatures. However if you live in an area that consistently has cold winters or cool summers then it would be best to avoid putting your plant close to drafts and other areas where temperature are lower than 45 degrees F, as the zz plant won’t survive these conditions.
If you live in a dry area and want to keep your ZZ plant alive, increase humidity around the room by purchasing an humidifier or placing it on top of a water tray.
Fertilizer
If you want to keep your plant healthy and happy, lightly feed it with indoor plant fertilizer diluted in water once or twice during its active growing season.
Propagating ZZ Plant
ZZ plants are known for their ease of propagation. You can simply divide the rhizomes to make more, or you could take stem cuttings and put them in separate containers once they’re rooted—the choice is yours!
Propagating with stem cuttings is more time-consuming than propagating by division and you may need to wait six months before any new rhizomes begin growing.
Potting and Repotting ZZ Plants
Repotting zz plants is a simple process that should only be done when they have grown too large for their pot. This will usually happen because the roots are pushing up against or warping the shape of its container, showing it has outgrown itself in this space.
If you want your Zanzibar gem to live long and prosper, be sure not to repot it during winter. Instead wait until the warmer months of spring or summer when plant activity is at its peak!
Make sure that any potting container has drainage holes for optimal moisture management too–this will ensure healthy growth with minimal stress on its delicate roots.
Common Pests Problems
Don’t let the name fool you – ZZ plants are virtually disease-free. But, keep an eye out for common houseplant pests such as mealybugs and scale that may infest this plant; use insecticidal soap to eliminate them!