ZZ Plants Things You Need to Know

Family Name: Araceae

Botanical Name: Zamioculcas Zamiifolia

Common Name: ZZ plant, Zam Zam

What Is a Zamioculcas Zamiifolia (ZZ) Plant?

Plant Description:

These low light plants are known for its hardiness and toughness. It can survive any weather condition, even drought or less water. It can grow in any types of light even without water, but not under full sun exposure.

ZZ Plants feature the shiny, oval-shaped fleshy leaves in a stem that looks like a wand. The dark, waxy leaves are attractive, especially when the leaves reflect the light in the room.

Originating in East Africa, a place known for drought condition, the ZZ Plants are natively hardy and long-enduring. Naturally low-maintenance, it is an ideal houseplant or office plant for those who want a hands-off type of plants indoors.

Interesting Fact:

The glossy leaves shine naturally, especially after removing the dust off its surface. There is no need to apply leaf shine to keep it glossy.

How to Grow and Care for ZZ Plants?

Here is a simple guide on how to grow and care for your Zam Zam. It includes the right light, amount of water, temperature, humidity, fertilizer, and proper maintenance that this type of plant usually needs to thrive in and grow.

·         Light

Zamioculcas Zamiifolia love the bright light but they can thrive even in low light. They can grow in spaces without windows, as long as there is artificial light. If placed outdoors, in a place where it can get indirect, bright light, the plant will grow quickly. However, if it is placed under direct sunlight, the leaves may turn brown due to sunburn.

·         Water

ZZ Plants love less water and moisture. Similar to the Cactus plants, it can thrive well in drought condition or with less water. The rhizomes in its roots can store water that the plant used for its needs. To care for the plant, it is best to water it only when the well-drained soil feels dry. Depending on the humidity and temperature in the area where it is placed, water the plant thoroughly after every 1 or 2 weeks and let it drain. No water should sit still on the pot’s saucer to prevent root rotting.

·         Humidity

Zam Zam Plants grow in humid and in not humid area. In fact, it does not need too much humidity to grow.

·         Fertilizer

ZZ Plants need fertilizer or plant food at least after every 6 months or twice a year.

·         Tips in Caring for ZZ Plants

Zamioculcas Zamiifolia grow healthy and happy when ignored. It does not like attention. However, if leaves start to drop, don’t lose hope on the plant because it is their natural way of conserving water and moisture during drought season. A little water will help it go back to having full, hardy leaves.

·         Toxic to Pets and Humans

ZZ Plants contain toxins that may irritate the mouth and stomach, causing the pets and people, especially children to suffer from nausea, vomiting, and skin rashes.

Common Problems in Caring for Zamioculcas Zamiifolia Plants

Those who grow and maintain ZZ Plants usually encounter common problems such as leaves turning brown or yellow and other issues. Here are some tips to solve these common problems:

• Leaves Turn Brown
• Leaves Turn Yellow

 

Why Do ZZ Plant Leaves Turn Brown on the Tips?

There are several reasons why the leaves of the ZZ Plants turn brown. The good thing about it is that there are ways to solve the problem.

The first step to solve the problems is to clean the plant. It is also easier to discern the problem of the ZZ plant by cleaning it.

How to clean the plant:

• Prune the ZZ Plants by removing the brown leaves using shears or scissors.
• Use clean blades and scissors in pruning the plant.
• Do not remove more than 20% of the ZZ Plant leaves to avoid shocking the plant. It is best to trim the plant in stages.

Here are the reasons why leaves turn brown or yellow:

·         Water Contains Chlorine and Salt

One reason why leaves turn brown is because of the water you use on them. Tap water is not suitable for the ZZ Plants because it contains chlorine and other minerals that are harmful to the plant. These minerals tend to pile up in the soil and eventually affect the plant, causing the tip of its leaves to turn brown. According to the experts in gardening, it is best to use filtered water or distilled water. A filtration system is an ideal option, but in case you do not have one, you can use the water in a container left overnight.

·         Low Humidity Level

Another reason why the leaves of the ZZ Plants turn brown is because the humidity level is low. If the plant lacks moisture due to low humidity, the leaves become dry. The humidity level can be increased by adding a tray of pebbles beside the plant or by placing the plant near a humidifier.

·         Dry Soil

Dry soil is also a reason why leaves turn brown. Although the ZZ Plants prefer dry soil instead of damp soil, it is still important to keep them hydrated at least once in a while. If the soil feels dry already, you can give it a thorough watering, but let it drain well.

If you notice that the leaves become limp or they start to wrinkle and turn brown, give the plant thorough water soaking.

Follow this procedure to water soak the ZZ Plants:

• Soak the plant in a tub or in the sink filled with water. The water should be at room temperature, no hot water, to allow the plant to rehydrate.
• Let the pot sit at the tub or sink for 45 minutes to allow the roots of the ZZ Plants to soak well through the drainage hole of the pot.
• You will know that the soil and the roots of the plant are already soaked in water if the soil feels wet on top. The water should have reached the upper part or 2 to 3 inches up from the bottom after 45 minutes of soaking.
• If the soil is still dry, you may choose to add water from the top part of the soil and help water saturate deeply into the roots.
• Now that the soil is soaked in water, it is time to drain the tub or sink and let the soil drain well, too, before placing back the pot to its saucer.

 

Why Do ZZ Plant Leaves Turn Yellow?

ZZ Plant leaves turn yellow because of several reasons. Here are some of the reasons why:

·         Too Much Exposure to Sunlight

ZZ Plants are known to thrive well in areas with low to medium light, but when placed under direct sunlight exposure, the leaves will turn yellow. Too much exposure in direct sunlight burns the leaves of the plant. If the plant is exposed in the direct sunlight, transfer it to a spot with low to medium light to stop and prevent sunburn.

·         Overwatering

Too much water brings too much moisture to the ZZ Plants, thus its roots become rotten and the leaves turn yellow. This type of plant does not require too much water, and it does not like its roots sitting on damp, wet soil. In fact, it can thrive even without water for a week or two.

·         Irregular Watering

The leaves turn yellow if watering is irregular. If you think the soil becomes dry after two weeks, set the watering on regular basis.

·         Insect and Pest Infestation

Pests and insect infestation weakens the plant and causes its leaves to become yellow. When you see the dark green leaves turning into yellow color, it could be because the bugs or spider mites are sucking the moisture off from the ZZ Plant. Most of the ZZ Plants placed inside the house or indoor spaces are also affected by the scales and mealy bugs, thus leave the plant infested. To treat pest and insect infestation, you can wipe those leaves with cotton soaked in mild soap and hot water. The bugs can also be removed by hand picking and by cutting affected leaves. Also, to prevent pests, insects, and other plant diseases from affecting your ZZ Plants, make sure that you keep them healthy.