Houseplant of the Week: ZZ Plant

By Hyaden Riesenbeck, Turkey Shed Mercantile

ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

Basic Info:

If you're looking for a houseplant that's nearly impossible to kill, thrives on neglect, and looks good year-round, the ZZ Plant (short for Zamioculcas zamiifolia) might just be your green soulmate. This is a plant I highly recommend for a beginner because of these reasons. There are multiple varieties of the ZZ, such as the Raven or Chameleon. The Raven ZZ produces black leaves instead of the typical green. The younger leaves are green, and as they mature, they turn black. The Chameleon is more of a yellowish-green. Both of these can sometimes be harder to find since they are considered to be more rare. The common ZZ is a darker rich green color leaf. The leaf texture is a waxy feeling, sometimes they almost seem to be fake. ZZ plants will sometimes randomly bloom with a flower that looks similar to a peace lily bloom.

Care:

ZZ plants are drought-tolerant due to their water-storing rhizomes. I water my ZZ plants around every three weeks or so. Let the soil dry out completely before watering. They would prefer to be underwatered than overwatered. Overwatering can lead to root rot. Yellowing leaves could mean too much water or that it needs to be repotted. These plants can survive without being repotted for a long time, they do not mind to be root bound. They like bright indirect light but can survive on lower light too. Direct sun could cause burning on the leaves. They are great plants for an office space or a darker corner of a room! Humidity is not a big deal for the ZZ plant.

Additional Info:

Whether you’re a new plant parent or someone looking for a stylish, no-fuss addition to your space, the ZZ Plant is a strong contender. It’s the kind of plant that thrives in the background, quietly doing its thing while asking for very little in return. Once the plant is mature, you should be able to split the plant easily. If you are in a mall or indoor building with house plants as decor, you will more than likely find a few ZZs in the mix! They are considered to be toxic to animals/humans, so just a heads up before purchasing. Contact The Turkey Shed Mercantile on Facebook if you are interested in ZZ plants, we have multiple sizes available.

Contact The Turkey Shed Mercantile on Facebook or at (937)-726-6627 if you are interested in trying out Fittonia; we have multiple varieties/sizes available.