How to Care for ZZ Plant?

ZZ Plant is one of the most popular houseplants that is used today in the decoration of homes and workplaces all over the world. The beautiful, shiny, green leaves of this plant make Zanzibar Gem (Zanzibar Gem) play an important role in all apartment plant shopping lists. Continue reading this article in TooPlant in order to learn more about how to grow and care for ZZ Plant.

Introduction of ZZ Plant (Zanzibar Gem)

Before addressing how to care for ZZ Plant, please allow us to give you a brief introduction about this houseplant.

ZZ Plant belongs to East Africa and is a member of the Araceae family. This lovely and beautiful plant is in a family with plants such as Philodendron, Spathiphyllum and Aglaonema and has been sold in flower and plant markets like them for decades.

In this article, we want to provide you with information about how to care for ZZ Plant, so stay tuned with Tooplant.

Unique Characteristics Of ZZ Plant As An Apartment Plant

Zanzibar Gem houseplant has all the characteristics and competencies of a desirable houseplant and can be a great choice for bringing a new plant home.

• No problem with low light. (ZZ Plant is one of the best low light succulents.)
• Easy and hassle-free growth
• Low water requirement
• Resistant to indoor environmental conditions
• Patient against drought
• Tolerates inattention and lack of regular care
• It has bright green leaves

In this article, we want to provide you with information about how to care for ZZ Plant, so stay tuned with Tooplant.

Care for ZZ Plant

In this part, we will focus on the most important aspects which you need to take into consideration while treating this houseplant. The best methods of how to take care of ZZ Plant include as follows:

ZZ Plant Light Requirements: What light is best for ZZ Plant?

Light is among the first important issues to care for ZZ Plant. ZZ Plant copes well with low light. Although the plant will grow well in low sunlight, it will perform better if you place it in adequate, indirect sunlight. ZZ Plant is an indoor plant that also grows under fluorescent light bulbs, so make sure you sufficiently provide the ZZ Plant light requirements.

Keep the plant away from hot, direct sunlight, otherwise it will burn. The bright, filtered light of the afternoon sun is unparalleled for the growth of Zanzibar Gem plant.

Above, we tried to discuss all the details related to the ZZ plant light requirements since it plays a significant role in order to care for ZZ plant.

ZZ Plant Watering: How often should you water a ZZ Plant (Zanzibar Gem)?

In the rest, the methods of caring for a ZZ Plant, we must say that do not let ZZ Plant drown in water, do not leave the plant in water or experience wet soil for a long time, as it will cause root rot. Therefore, watering is another important aspect in order to care for ZZ Plant. This indoor plant has a better relationship with staying dry. If you water it too much or keep it wet in the soil all the time, you will see the leaves turn yellow.

Let me share some of our experiences with you:

If you are hesitant to water the plant, it is better not to do so. Keeping plants dry is much better than watering them and helps you gauge your plant resistance.

In our experience, watering every 10-14 days is good for ZZ Plant. But this watering must be done well. That means you have to wet the whole root ball and let the remaining water come out. Therefore, watering of ZZ Plant should be done in large volumes and completely deep. If you put it in a low light environment, it may not need watering once a month!

In this way, to take care of ZZ Plant, watering is considered to be of great significance.

ZZ Plant Soil: What is the best soil for a ZZ Plant?

Intending to care for ZZ Plant, the other crucial matter is soil. The best choice for ZZ Plant is cactus soil. You know that this plant is sensitive to watering and is quickly damaged. As a result, the soil selected for it should have excellent drainage. You can improve drainage by adding perlite or sand to the soil.

In addition to having ideal soil, the presence of numerous drainage holes under the pot is also very important. These cavities allow excess water in the soil to pass through and prevent the roots from rotting and decaying. So it can be said that soil is another important issue to care for ZZ Plant.

Thus, it can be said that, soil is another basic and important issue so as to care for ZZ Plant.

ZZ Plant Temperature Tolerance

Now, we come to temperature and humidity which are assumed to be principal to care for ZZ Plant in addition to light, watering and soil that are mentioned above. The ideal temperature for Zanzibar Gem is between 13 and 26 degrees Celsius, or the normal room temperature, and you should avoid placing it near heating appliances.

Zanzibar Gem Humidity: Does ZZ Plant like humidity?

Moisture is another thing which we need to inevitably pay attention to when talking about how to take care of ZZ Plant. ZZ Plant grows and performs better in a humid environment. If the environment of your house is dry, moisten the leaves of the plant with water spray. Therefore, please do not forget to take humidity into consideration in order to care for ZZ Plant in the best way.

ZZ Plant Fertilizer: What is the best fertilizer for a ZZ Plant?

When you want to care for ZZ Plant, one of the important questions that may come to your mind is “what is the best fertilizer?” In what follows, we will address how to fertilize this plant:

This plant does not need special fertilizer. But due to its slow growth, if you want, you can give it liquid fertilizer once a summer. The best time to fertilize is after watering and when the soil is wet. This prevents the plant from burning. Add fertilizer to the indoor plant at half the recommended strength.

As a result, we could say that fertilizer is regarded as one of the fundamental issues when someone wants to care for ZZ Plant.

ZZ Plant Toxicity: Is ZZ Plant poisonous to humans and pets?

In order to care for ZZ Plant, toxicity is considered to be a major issue because it directly relates to your health, especially children as well as dogs and cats

Is a ZZ plant toxic to dogs and cats? Yes, ZZ plants are toxic to dogs as well as cats and humans.

Read this section more carefully.

Be careful of your skin contact with any sap contained in ZZ Plants. The calcium oxalate crystals in this plant may cause severe skin inflammation. These crystals are also found in many other plants, the most famous of which is Dieffenbachia.

Touching the indoor plant without contact with its sap should not cause side effects. If you have very sensitive skin, we recommend that you follow these tips against ZZ Plants:

• It is better to wear gloves when carrying indoor plants.
• Keep children and pets such as dogs and cats away from this houseplant.
• Wash your hands after working with the house plants.

As mentioned above, ZZ plant is toxic to dogs, cats and humans, so you need to keep it in a safe place to prevent any consequences.

ZZ Plant Repotting: How to repot ZZ Plant? (Essential tips)

Zanzibar Gem can live in a pot for a long time, without the need for repotting. However, if you feel you need to repot the plant, read the below steps in order to learn how to repot ZZ plant:

1. Repot ZZ Plant in the spring
2. Choose a pot that is one size larger than the current pot. Make sure the new pot has plenty of drainage holes. For example, a 10 cm pot should be replaced with a 15 cm pot.
3. Use quality soil, Like African violet potting soil.
4. Fill the bottom of the pot with potting soil.
5. Remove the plant from the old pot.
6. Remove very soft, viscous and damaged rhizomes from the root ball.
7. Place the plant in a new pot, right on the ground. It should be planted at the same depth as the previous pot. So match the height of the soil and its position in the new pot with the previous pot.
8. Now pour the rest of the soil and fill the empty space of the pot. Do not squeeze or compact the soil. Water the plant well, until excess water comes out from under the pot.
9. Allow the remaining water in the soil to drain through the drainage holes.
10. Take the plant to its original location and keep away from direct light.
11. Never allow soil and pots to drown in water.

In the above section, we sought to provide you with the necessary information on how to repot ZZ plant point by point, hoping that it could be useful.

ZZ Plant Propagating: How to propagate ZZ Plant?

When you want to care for ZZ Plant, another important question that may come to your mind is “how to propagate it.” ZZ Plant propagation is done in two ways, both of which we will explain to you.

1. ZZ Plant propagation by seeds

Cuttings separated from the plant stem grow faster and eventually propagate faster. You have to do this to propagate it through the stem.

Cut a stem from the lowest part of the houseplant. With a clean, disinfected knife, make a perfectly smooth cut and cut it carefully.

Put the cut stem in water. This water should be changed every 3-4 weeks. If you forget, there is no problem. As long as there is no mold, do not worry.

Place the cuttings near the window so that it can receive enough sunlight indirectly. Sunlight is the best stimulant for the growth of ZZ Plant cuttings.

Once the cuttings have formed a rhizome and new roots have grown at least 3 cm, you should transfer it to the final pot.

2. ZZ Plant propagation by leaves

Propagation of ZZ Plant by leaf planting requires more time for rhizome and root mating. But it is possible anyway Choose a healthy leaf and cut it from the closest part to the plant body. Also, have some of the stems to which the leaf is attached in your cut.

Place the leaves in the soil of the pot, at a depth of approximately 1 cm from the soil surface. It is better to plant several leaves together. Because a single leaf in a pot looks a little sad.

Water the pot well and allow the soil to soak in the water. Do the next watering when the soil is dry, watering it almost every two weeks is suitable.

After about 3 months, the leaves will grow and form small rhizomes.

How Do You Know When A Zanzibar Gem Needs Water?

ZZ Plants are similar to cacti in their need for water. Because are need little water and prefers dry to wet.

Watering of this plant should be done infrequently but completely. Water the ZZ Plant only when the soil is completely dry. This amount usually varies between 1-2 times depending on the environmental conditions of the plant.

Warmer environments that receive a lot of light increase the plant’s need for water. But even in these conditions, be careful not to immerse the plant in water. The most common problem for ZZ Plant is due to overwatering, which quickly affects the stem and rhizome.

Let the water drain through the drainage holes. Then completely empty it from the collected water under the pot. If the leaves turn yellow, it means that they have received too much water and are on the verge of decay. In this case, stop watering immediately.

So, to care for ZZ Plant, watering is also plays an important role.

How To Clean ZZ Plant Leaves? (Easy methods for cleaning your ZZ Plant’s leaves)

In the remaining, concerning the tips of caring for a ZZ Plant, it is better to know that the green leaves of this plant are naturally shiny and bright. You do not need to apply any brightening solution to the leaves. (We never recommend this.) Every one or two weeks, clean the surface of the leaves with a damp soft cloth or damp microfiber cloth. This helps the plant receive all the available light and can “breathe.”

Zamioculcas zamiifolia Growth Rate And How To Make It Grow Faster?

A medium-sized ZZ Plant planted in a 25cm pot will grow to approximately 90-60cm in size. The growth of ZZ Plant is symmetrical and uniform in width. Many gardeners have planted ZZ Plant in a 10 cm pot and seen it grow 90 cm. But that can take years. For example, it takes about 8 years for a 90 cm tall ZZ Plant to grow in a 25 cm pot and be placed on a patio without direct sunlight.

Are ZZ Plants Air Purifying? (Can ZZ Plants Purify the Air in Your Home and Office?)

Although ZZ Plant has no place in NASA’s research on air purifiers (at the time of this research, ZZ Plant was not yet commercially thriving), many of its family members are known as air purifiers. The longevity and high resistance of this plant can confirm its presence in this category.

Many people have been cultivating beautiful ZZ Plants in their own homes for over 40 years. But at the time, there was no attempt to introduce it globally, which made ZZ Plant less studied by researchers.

The base of the prominent stems of this plant (rhizome) has dark green leaves that naturally have a unique glow. For this reason, it is sometimes thought that special sprays have been used to polish these leaves, but this is not the case.

Can Zanzibar Gem Cause Cancer In People?

The title “ZZ Plant can cause cancer in people” is a baseless rumor that was spread in 2010. Please do not pay attention to such baseless and emotional rumors and do not cite them.

Caring for ZZ Plant: Common Problems With ZZ Plant

After a description of taking care of a ZZ Plant, we will explain the problems and their solutions:

Why Are ZZ Plant Leaves Turning Yellow?

As “leaves turning yellow” is one of the common problems that you may face when you want to care for ZZ Plant, we will try to describe the reasons and the ways to solve it in detail. Unlike many houseplants, ZZ Plant will not shed old leaves over time. This event, which begins with the fall of the lower leaves of the plant, is rare in the case of ZZ Plant.

Instead, as the leaves age and winter arrives, the leaves of ZZ Plant turn yellow. So if yellowing has occurred on the eve of the onset of a cold, there is no need to worry. But if the leaves of your plant are rapidly turning yellow and this discoloration is not limited to a specific area of ​​the plant, it is likely that the plant has been overwatered.

Do not forget that ZZ Plant is very sensitive to the amount of watering, if you doubt whether it is the right time to water it, do not water it. It is better for the soil to be always dry than wet!

There are many reasons for the yellowing of the leaves of this plant:

• Older leaves will turn yellow naturally over time.
• Yellowing of the leaves may be due to complete disregard for the needs of the plant and the lack of sufficient water and light for it. In this case, the yellowing of the leaves will take several months.
• Root problems manifest themselves as the leaves turn yellow. The reason for this is usually excessive watering of the plant.
• Plants that do not receive the necessary nutrients and elements turn yellow over time.
• Burns caused by direct light are another cause of yellowing of ZZ Plant leaves.

Does ZZ Plant Flower?

Yes. ZZ Plant blooms and its flowers are very similar to Philodendron and Monstera. Propagation of this plant is often done by cuttings or root division, but its growth is a time-consuming process.

Weaknesses of ZZ Plant: You can always find a weakness in any topic. The disadvantage of Zamioculcas Zamiifolia (Zanzibar Gem) houseplant is its very slow growth. Also, the growth of the propagated plant is very slow.

Essential Tips To Care For ZZ Plant

The best houseplants often grow slowly, and ZZ Plant is no exception. This houseplant is easily propagated but grows slowly. ZZ Plant, like the plants of the African violet family and the jade plant, can propagate from a single leaf.

– ZZ Plant is very suitable for areas that have enough space for plant growth so that it can easily move its beautiful leaves in the wind!

– ZZ Plant is a hardy and stable plant and can tolerate indirect and low sunlight, dry air and lack of attention to care, and even in these conditions, it can grow well.

– ZZ Plant is one of the best plants for baths, rooms and places without windows.

– In the classification of resistant houseplants, ZZ Plant is equal to Sansevieria and Aspidistra elatior and is considered one of the most resistant plants.

– But one of its best features still remains no pests and problems!

– Considering this feature makes it much easier for you to maintain the plants. Therefore, in the case of Zamioculcas Zamiifolia house plants, it is only necessary to pay attention to water and light. Simply!

Where Should I Place My ZZ Plant?

Another thing to consider to care for a ZZ Plant is where it is maintained. If you place ZZ Plant in a bright place away from direct sunlight, it will grow very healthy. But it also performs well in low light areas.

If ZZ Plant is exposed to direct sunlight, various effects will occur on the surface of the leaves. Tubular, yellowing and bending of the leaves is a sign of excessive sunlight. If you see these signs, move them away from the light source and into a darker place. It is better to place it next to a window with light filtered by the curtain.

This house plant also grows under fluorescent lamps, so it is a good choice for office environments. Larger ZZ Plant can be placed in the hallway and empty corners of your home, while smaller types are more suitable for shelves and tables. Never place it near heating/cooling devices. Because the air in these places is too dry. Browning of the tips of the leaves is a sign of dry air.

Infographic Of How To Care For ZZ Plant

In this article, we tried to explain to you in an infographic the essential tips on how to take care of ZZ plant, so that you can briefly and usefully learn the methods of caring for this plant.

In The End

In this article, we tried to provide you with the necessary information about the methods of caring for a ZZ Plant.

However, if you have any questions regarding this indoor plant or you need to get advice from our houseplant experts, please share your questions with us through the comments section below.