ZZ plant

The ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia), also known as a Zanzibar Gem or Fortune Tree is an attractive indoor plant famed for its glossy leaves, low maintenance, and ease of care. They are revered as symbols of good luck and prosperity. This care guide will provide all that you need to keep this marvelous plant alive and healthy.

Table Of Content 

-Origin

-Soil type

-Lighting

-Temperature and humidity 

-Watering 

-Repotting

-Fertilization

-Pruning  

Origin:

Zamioculcas zamiifolia is a tropical plant native to Eastern Africa.  It is a perennial slow-growing plant great for offices and homes, adding lush greenery to any space. Since it’s easy to care for, this plant is great for beginners. 

Soil type: 

ZZ plants like soil that drains well so any common potting mix that is light and airy is good. You can also add cactus soil mix to help with the drainage. They like slightly acidic soil with a PH level between 6.0 to 7.0

Lighting:

While ZZ plants are adaptable, they thrive in medium and indirect bright light. You’ll want to avoid leaving them in direct sun as their leaves are prone to scorching and it is advisable to also avoid heavy shade. Outside of these two extremes, this plant does well in most lighting conditions and can tolerate lower light levels than most house plants!

Temperature and Humidity: 

Once again the ZZ plant proves its adaptable and resilient nature as they are comfortable in the average temperature range of most homes, between 65 F to 85 F. This is the same for the humidity, between 40%-50%. If you have low humidity you might want to consider a humidifier or placing wet pebbles in a dish underneath your plant.

Watering: 

This plant is remarkable for its ability to store water within its rhizome. For this reason, this plant is more likely to be killed by overwatering than by underwatering. The plant can tolerate missing a few waterings but is prone to rot if overwatered. You can check if you need to water by sticking your finger in the first inch of the soil. If it’s dry you should water. It’s also important to ensure proper drainage via the correct soil mix and a pot with plenty of drainage holes.

Repotting: 

You can repot your plant once it’s begun to warp its pot, typically every 2 years. You want to loosen the root ball and clean any plant debris before moving to a pot that's slightly larger. 

Fertilization: 

This plant does not require heavy fertilization. If you choose to do so you can use a diluted water-soluble fertilizer once a month in the spring and summer. It is not recommended to use the suggested full strength, instead opting for half strength. It is also recommended to avoid fertilizing in the fall and winter. 

Pruning: 

Not much pruning is needed for this plant as it is slow growing. You mainly want to clean off any dried, dead or yellowed leaves.

FAQ

Q: How tall does this plant get?
A: Typicaly between 2 and 3 feet.

Q: Is this plant pet friendly?
A: Its leaves are considered irritating to dogs and cats alike so it is advisable to keep this plant out of their reach 

Q: What if I need more help with my plant?
A: Message us on our Instagram @barsch_tropicals