ZZ Plant Guide: Benefits, Care, Propagation, and More

ZZ Plant Guide: Benefits, Care, Propagation, and More

Feb 22, 2023Rohit Sharma

If you are looking for low-maintenance plants, then ZZ plants are the best bet. Also known as Zamioculcas zamiifolia, the plant beautifies your home with its shiny, wide, oval-shaped leaves. The leaves of the plant shoot upward and quickly grow indoors. This particular plant grows in East Africa, Zanzibar, and Tanzania.

There are some other names for the plant- Zanzibar gems for their spotless, waxy leaves, these leaves are so deep green and some people can think that it's artificial.

These plants grow slowly and they prefer bright, indirect sunlight. One of the key benefits of this plant is it can thrive in many lighting conditions. When you plant or repot a ZZ plant for home, do it in the spring or summer, the plant grows well in these conditions.

A perfect indoor air purifier

The plant removes Toluene and Xylene from indoor air, keeping the air clean and allowing you to breathe fresh. So, if you want to purify indoor air in your home or office, this plant is the best choice to make.

A good plant for your bedroom

Due to its air-purifying abilities, this plant can be placed in your bedroom, and this plant will help you fall asleep quickly, a perfect choice for those seeking a good night's sleep.

Sunlight needs

ZZ plants can tolerate a wide range of lighting conditions, and they are perfect for growing indoors. ZZ plants can grow easily in low-light conditions. The plant can become leggy if you are not giving them enough light. Having the plant in your home, you need to opt for a bright, indirect light spot, it can be your room with south-facing windows. It is advisable to avoid direct sunlight, as this can scorch the leaves of your beautiful plants.

Soil

ZZ plants don't have high demands for their potting medium as long as it is well-draining. The plant can remain happy in various standard potting mixes. If additional drainage is required, mixing in perlite or sand can be very helpful.

Watering the plant

ZZ plants are highly drought-tolerant and can handle some missed watering, special thanks to their thick rhizomes. Plant owners need to water ZZ plants once the soil dries out completely, in other words, once every two weeks will be sufficient, depending on their growing conditions. Watering less can be more beneficial than over-watering the plant. If you are going to water your plant, wet the soil thoroughly until you see the water seeping out of the drainage hole.

Propagating your ZZ plant

ZZ plants can be propagated in two different ways: through division and alo through stem cuttings. Propagation by division is one of the easiest ways to create more ZZ plants. you simply need to separate the rhizomes the next time you repot your plant and you need their own, small homes.

  • If you are trying to propagate with stem cuttings, it can take longer than propagating by division, and it can make you wait for six to nine months before roots will start to grow.
  • Cut a complete stalk, and it must have leaflets using a sterilized and sharp cutting tool.
  • Remove the bottom leaves from the stem, and place it in the stalk in a jar of water.
  • Place your plant in indirect light. Roots may start to form in a few months. Change the water on a weekly basis to prevent bacterial growth.
  • When root growth is substantial, use a container filled with potting mix to place the plant.

The bottom line

ZZ plant is perfect for beginners, it’s very low maintenance, present this as a gift to any plant lover or any of your near and dear ones, the plant is best for indoors.



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