ZZ Raven

How to care for ZZ Raven

Light

Zamioculcas zamiifolia 'Raven' tolerates a wide range of light conditions, from bright indirect light to relatively low interior light. It performs best in bright, indirect light, which encourages good growth rate and maintains the rich dark colouration of mature leaves. Direct sunlight, particularly harsh afternoon sun, should be avoided as it can scorch or bleach the foliage. New growth emerges lime-green regardless of light level and darkens to near-black over several weeks as the leaf matures.

Watering

This cultivar stores water efficiently in its thick rhizomes and fleshy stems, making it highly drought tolerant. Water thoroughly when the potting mix has dried out completely, then allow it to dry out fully again before the next watering. In winter or in low-light positions, watering frequency should be reduced significantly, perhaps to once every three to six weeks. Overwatering is the most common cause of failure; the roots rot quickly in persistently damp compost.

Soil and potting

A well-draining, gritty potting mix is essential. A blend of peat-free multipurpose compost with added perlite or coarse grit in roughly a 2:1 ratio works well. Cactus and succulent compost can also be used, optionally amended with a small quantity of general-purpose compost to retain a little more moisture. Good drainage at the base of the pot is equally important; always use a container with drainage holes.

Feeding

Feed once a month during the active growing season (spring through summer) with a balanced, liquid houseplant fertiliser diluted to half the recommended strength. Do not feed in autumn or winter when growth slows considerably. The plant has modest nutrient requirements overall, and overfeeding can cause salt build-up in the compost, which may damage the roots.

Humidity and temperature

Zamioculcas zamiifolia 'Raven' is highly tolerant of the low humidity typical of centrally heated homes and offices. It does not require misting or supplemental humidity, though it will grow comfortably in average household humidity levels. The preferred temperature range is 15-26 C. It dislikes prolonged exposure to temperatures below 8 C and should be kept away from cold draughts, unheated porches in winter, and heating vents that could cause sudden desiccation.

Repotting

Repot every two to three years, or when roots begin to emerge from the drainage holes or visibly push the plant out of its pot. Choose a new container only one size larger, as an oversized pot retains excess moisture and increases the risk of root rot. Spring is the ideal time to repot. Handle the rhizomes gently, as they can be brittle. Refresh the potting mix at each repotting even if the pot size remains the same.

Pruning

Little pruning is required. Remove any individual leaflets or entire stems that have yellowed, died back, or been physically damaged by cutting them off cleanly at the base with sterile scissors or a knife. This is primarily for aesthetic reasons and to maintain plant health by removing dying tissue. New stems emerge directly from the rhizomes below the soil and cannot be encouraged by pinching in the way that branching stems can.

Is ZZ Raven toxic?

Common problems

How to propagate

Stem cutting

Remove a healthy stem at the base and allow the cut end to callous for a few hours. Place the stem in a well-draining mix of perlite and compost, or in water, and keep in bright indirect light at around 20-25 C. Roots and a small rhizome will develop over several weeks to months; pot on once the rhizome is well established.

Leaf cutting

Remove individual leaflets with a short length of petiole attached and insert the cut end into moist perlite or a perlite-compost mix. Keep warm and lightly covered to retain humidity. A small rhizome forms at the base over several months, after which the cutting can be potted into standard mix. Note that new plants grown from leaf cuttings of 'Raven' may revert to the green form of the species.

Rhizome division

When repotting a mature plant, carefully separate the rhizomes into sections, each with at least one growing stem. Allow cut surfaces to dry for a few hours before potting each division into fresh, well-draining compost. This is the most reliable method for maintaining the 'Raven' cultivar characteristics.

Where ZZ Raven comes from

Native to Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa (KwaZulu-Natal).

Story and origins

The genus name Zamioculcas is a compound derived from Zamia, a genus of cycads whose leaves the plant superficially resembles, combined with the genus name Colocasia, an aroid to which early botanists thought it was allied. The species epithet zamiifolia means 'with leaves resembling Zamia', reinforcing the visual similarity to cycad foliage. The cultivar name 'Raven' is a straightforward reference to the near-black colouration of mature leaves, evoking the glossy dark plumage of the raven (Corvus corax).

Zamioculcas zamiifolia was first formally described by the German botanist Heinrich Wilhelm Schott in 1856, based on specimens collected in eastern Africa. For much of the twentieth century it remained obscure in cultivation, but Dutch nurseries began propagating it commercially in the 1990s and it rapidly became one of the world's most popular houseplants. The 'Raven' cultivar was developed and introduced by Costa Farms in the United States, reaching mass retail outlets from around 2019 onwards. In parts of East Africa the plant has cultural associations with wealth and a welcoming household, and it is sometimes displayed near entrances for this reason.

Varieties to know

Zamioculcas zamiifolia (species)

The straight species, with glossy mid to dark green leaflets; the parent from which 'Raven' was selected.

Zamioculcas zamiifolia 'Zenzi'

A compact dwarf form with tightly clustered, slightly cupped leaflets; well suited to small spaces.

Zamioculcas zamiifolia 'Variegated'

A rare form with irregular cream, yellow, or pale green variegation on the leaflets; very slow growing and uncommon in cultivation.

Fun facts

• The rhizomes of Zamioculcas zamiifolia act as water reservoirs, allowing the plant to survive drought conditions in its native habitat; this adaptation is directly responsible for its exceptional low-maintenance reputation as a houseplant.
• New growth on 'Raven' is consistently bright lime-green and darkens to near-black as the chlorophyll is partially masked by anthocyanin pigments during leaf maturation, a process that takes several weeks.
• Zamioculcas zamiifolia is so efficient at utilising carbon dioxide and light that NASA and other researchers have noted its contribution to indoor air quality, though the practical effect in a normal room is modest.
• Despite its common name and palm-like appearance, the ZZ plant is not related to palms or true zamias; its pinnate leaves superficially resemble those of cycads, which led to confusion in early classification.
• The genus Zamioculcas is monotypic, meaning 'Raven' and all other cultivars belong to the single species Zamioculcas zamiifolia; no other species exist within the genus.

ZZ Raven FAQ