Cassie

Zamioculcas zamiifolia

ZZ plant; Zanzibar gem; Fern arum

• 
  Most light conditions
• 
  Almost unkillable

• Zamioculcas zamiifolia likes...
  • 
    Light watering

    She doesn’t need a lot of water, particularly in winter. You can let her dry out completely between drinks.

  • 
    Most light conditions

    She’s an ideal option if you don’t have bright rooms. She’ll cope with very little light, though not total darkness.

  • 
    Feeding

    She’ll love you if you feed her with a liquid fertiliser about once a month (no more than that) in spring and summer.

• Quick facts

  Botanical name

  Zamioculcas zamiifolia

  Nickname

  ZZ Plant; Fern Arum

  Plant type

  Evergreen perennial; indoor

  Air purifying

  Yes

  Plant height (including pot)

  20-30cm; 40-50cm; 80-90cm

  Pet/baby safe

  Toxic to humans and pets if ingested

  Nursery pot size

  12cm; 17cm; 24cm

• About ZZ Plants

  The ZZ plant, or zamioculcas, is native to Central Africa, but has spread across much of the eastern side of the continent too. It’s used to extremes of weather, surviving long periods of drought and then intense downpours. The ways it’s adapted to those conditions are the reason it’s such an excellent, easygoing houseplant.

  It can store water and nutrients for a long time, meaning you don’t need to give it a drink very often. When you do water it, make sure to let all the excess run out of the bottom of the pot, so as not to waterlog it. It will cope with neglect - the odd missed watering; minimal light - a lot better than most plants. If you like a plant that’s easygoing and sculptural, look no further.

  Give it an extra growth boost by feeding it with liquid fertiliser once per month in spring and summer.

  Did you know?

  In various parts of Tanzania, the juice of the ZZ plant is used to treat earache, inflammation and ulceration. It’s a regular little green nurse.