Chinese Money Plant
Pilea peperomioides
Pet-safe
ZZ Plant
Zamioculcas zamiifolia · Araceae
Easy
Toxic to pets
Low-light tolerant
Zamioculcas zamiifolia is a tropical perennial native to eastern and southern Africa, from Kenya to South Africa, where it grows in dry grassland and forest margins. It is prized as a houseplant for its glossy, dark green pinnate leaves and exceptional tolerance of neglect, low light, and irregular watering. Its thick, fleshy rhizomes store water and nutrients, making it one of the most resilient houseplants in cultivation.
☀ Light
Low to bright indirect light
💧 Water
Allow soil to dry fully between waterings
🌡 Temp
15 to 26 C
💦 Humidity
Tolerates low humidity
🌿 Soil
Free-draining, low-fertility mix
🍽 Feeding
Monthly in spring and summer only
Photo: User:WeFt / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
How to care for ZZ Plant
Light
Zamioculcas zamiifolia adapts to a wide range of light conditions, from near-shade to bright indirect light, making it suitable for rooms with limited natural light. It will survive in low-light corners but growth will be very slow. Avoid prolonged exposure to direct summer sun through glass, which can scorch the glossy leaflets. An east- or north-facing windowsill, or a position set back from a south- or west-facing window, is ideal.
Watering
The ZZ plant's rhizomes store water efficiently, so overwatering is by far the most common cause of decline. Allow the compost to dry out completely between waterings, then water thoroughly and allow the excess to drain away. In spring and summer, this may mean watering every two to three weeks; in autumn and winter, once a month or less is often sufficient. Always check the moisture of the soil at depth before watering rather than following a fixed schedule.
Soil and potting
Use a free-draining compost to prevent waterlogging around the rhizomes. A mix of two parts peat-free general-purpose compost to one part perlite, or a proprietary cactus and succulent compost, works well. Good drainage is more important than fertility. Ensure the pot has adequate drainage holes.
Feeding
Feed with a balanced liquid fertiliser diluted to half the recommended strength once a month during the active growing season from April to August. Do not feed in autumn or winter when growth slows. Over-feeding can cause salt build-up in the compost and does not meaningfully accelerate growth in this naturally slow-growing species.
Humidity and temperature
The ZZ plant tolerates the low humidity typical of centrally heated homes without difficulty and does not require misting or a humidity tray. It performs best at temperatures between 15 and 26 C and should not be exposed to temperatures below 8 C. Keep it away from cold draughts, unheated windowsills in winter, and direct heat sources such as radiators.
Repotting
Repot only when the rhizomes are visibly crowding the pot or emerging from the drainage holes, typically every two to three years in spring. Choose a pot only one size larger, as excess compost volume retains moisture and increases the risk of root rot. Terracotta pots are beneficial as they allow the compost to dry more evenly. Handle the rhizomes gently during repotting.
Pruning
Minimal pruning is required. Remove any yellowed or damaged fronds at the base using clean, sharp scissors or secateurs. Individual leaflets do not regenerate once removed, but new fronds grow steadily from the rhizome throughout the growing season. There is no need to cut back healthy growth.
Is ZZ Plant toxic?
Pets: Toxic. All parts of the plant are toxic to dogs and cats according to the ASPCA, owing to the presence of calcium oxalate crystals. Ingestion can cause oral irritation, excessive drooling, vomiting, and difficulty swallowing. It is also considered toxic to horses.
People: The sap can cause skin and eye irritation. Wear gloves when handling, especially when propagating or repotting. Ingestion is not recommended and may cause oral and gastrointestinal irritation.
People: The sap can cause skin and eye irritation. Wear gloves when handling, especially when propagating or repotting. Ingestion is not recommended and may cause oral and gastrointestinal irritation.
Common problems
Yellowing fronds
Likely cause: Overwatering or waterlogged compost causing root or rhizome rot Fix: Allow the compost to dry out fully, improve drainage, and remove any soft or rotten rhizome tissue. Repot into fresh, free-draining compost if rot is present.
Soft, mushy stems at the base
Likely cause: Root or rhizome rot due to excessive moisture Fix: Remove the plant from its pot, cut away all affected tissue with a clean blade, dust cuts with powdered cinnamon or sulphur, and repot into dry, fresh compost. Withhold water for two weeks.
Pale, washed-out leaf colour or bleached patches
Likely cause: Exposure to direct sunlight or excessively bright light Fix: Move the plant to a position with bright but indirect light, away from direct sun through glass.
Very slow or no new growth
Likely cause: Insufficient light, low temperatures, or pot-bound roots Fix: Move to a brighter position, ensure temperatures are consistently above 15 C, and check whether repotting is needed.
Brown, dry leaf tips or margins
Likely cause: Low humidity, underwatering, or salt accumulation from over-feeding Fix: Flush the compost with water to remove salt build-up, ensure watering is adequate, and reduce or cease feeding. Remove damaged leaflets.
Scale insects or mealybugs on stems and leaflets
Likely cause: Pest infestation, more likely on stressed or dusty plants Fix: Wipe affected areas with a cotton pad soaked in 70% isopropyl alcohol, or treat with an insecticidal soap spray. Repeat every seven to ten days until clear.
How to propagate
Leaf-petiole cutting
Remove individual leaflets with a short section of the petiole attached and insert them upright into a mix of perlite and compost. Keep barely moist in indirect light at around 20 C. Small rhizomes will form at the base after several months, though the process is slow.
Division
At repotting time, carefully separate the rhizome clump into sections, ensuring each section has at least one growing point and a healthy root system. Pot each division separately and withhold water for a week to allow any cut surfaces to callous.
Stem cutting
Cut a whole frond with several leaflets close to the base and place the cut end in a small container of water or barely moist propagating mix. Roots and a small rhizome will develop at the cut end over a period of several months. This method is reliable but slow.
Where ZZ Plant comes from
Native to Kenya, KwaZulu-Natal, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zimbabwe.
Story and origins
The genus name Zamioculcas combines 'Zamia', a genus of cycads whose pinnate leaves the ZZ plant's fronds superficially resemble, with the Greek 'culcas', an old name applied to certain aroid plants. The species epithet zamiifolia means 'with leaves resembling Zamia', again referencing the visual similarity to cycad foliage. The plant has no true botanical relationship to Zamia; the resemblance is a case of convergent form rather than shared ancestry.
Zamioculcas zamiifolia was first formally described by the German botanist Heinrich Wilhelm Schott in 1856, based on specimens collected from eastern Africa. For much of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries it remained a botanical curiosity, known mainly to specialists. It was the Dutch horticultural industry that transformed it into a global houseplant phenomenon during the late 1990s, recognising its exceptional tolerance of interior conditions and the efficiency with which it could be propagated by tissue culture at commercial scale. It quickly earned informal names such as 'eternity plant' and 'Zanzibar gem', the latter referencing the Zanzibar archipelago off the coast of Tanzania, part of its native range. In parts of eastern Africa it carries associations with good luck and prosperity, a symbolism that has been adopted loosely in the marketing of the plant in East Asian markets, where it is sometimes sold alongside other plants considered auspicious.
Varieties to know
Zamioculcas zamiifolia 'Raven'
A cultivar with striking near-black foliage that emerges lime green before darkening. Widely available and highly ornamental.
Zamioculcas zamiifolia 'Zenzi'
A compact, dwarf form with tightly spaced, slightly curved leaflets. Well suited to smaller spaces.
Zamioculcas zamiifolia 'Variegated'
Rare and slow-growing, with creamy yellow and green marbled leaflets. Less vigorous than the standard form.
Zamioculcas zamiifolia 'Lucky Classic'
A trade selection noted for particularly glossy, deep green foliage and a neat, upright habit.
Fun facts
- The ZZ plant was not introduced to widespread cultivation until 1996, when Dutch nurseries in the Netherlands began propagating it commercially from tissue culture.
- Its thick rhizomes can store enough water to sustain the plant for weeks or even months without irrigation, an adaptation to seasonal drought in its native African habitat.
- Zamioculcas zamiifolia is the sole species in the genus Zamioculcas, making it monotypic.
- In some African countries, including Tanzania and Madagascar, parts of the plant are used in traditional medicine, though the calcium oxalate content makes internal use hazardous.
- The plant can continue to photosynthesise at very low light levels, as low as 50 to 75 foot-candles, which is among the lowest thresholds of any common houseplant.
ZZ Plant FAQ
How often should I water my ZZ plant?
There is no fixed schedule that suits all conditions. The key rule is to allow the compost to dry out completely before watering again. In a warm home during summer this may mean watering every two to three weeks; in winter once a month or less is typical. Always check the compost at depth by inserting a finger or a moisture probe rather than watering by the calendar.
Why are my ZZ plant's leaves turning yellow?
Yellowing fronds are most commonly caused by overwatering or waterlogged compost, which leads to rhizome and root rot. Less frequently, yellowing can result from very low light or natural ageing of older fronds at the base. Check the moisture level of the compost and the condition of the roots and rhizomes, and adjust watering accordingly.
Is the ZZ plant safe to have around pets?
No. The ZZ plant is toxic to dogs and cats according to the ASPCA, as all parts contain calcium oxalate crystals. Ingestion can cause oral irritation, drooling, and vomiting. It should be placed out of reach of pets, or an alternative non-toxic species should be chosen for households with animals that chew plants.
Can a ZZ plant survive in a room with no natural light?
It will tolerate very low light better than most houseplants, but it cannot survive indefinitely in a room with no natural light at all. Under artificial lighting alone it may persist for a time but will gradually decline. For a position far from a window, supplement with a dedicated grow light for at least eight hours a day.
How do I propagate a ZZ plant at home?
The most straightforward method for a home grower is division at repotting time: separate the rhizome clump into sections and pot each one individually. Propagation from individual leaf cuttings is also possible but very slow, often taking six months or more to produce a small rhizome. Patience is essential regardless of method.
Why is my ZZ plant growing so slowly?
Slow growth is normal for this species; it is not a fast-growing plant even under ideal conditions. Growth slows further in low light, cool temperatures below 15 C, or when the plant is pot-bound. Moving it to a brighter position and ensuring temperatures remain consistently warm during the growing season will help, but rapid growth should not be expected.
Should I mist my ZZ plant to increase humidity?
No, misting is unnecessary and not recommended. The ZZ plant is well adapted to low humidity and thrives in the dry air typical of heated homes. Misting the foliage can encourage fungal spotting on the leaves without providing any meaningful benefit to the plant.
