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ZZ Plant Care: The Complete Guide to Growing Zanzibar Gem Indoors

ZZ plant in a container

ZZ plant thriving in a terracotta pot—ideal for preventing overwatering and promoting healthy root growth.

Photo Credit
kyozstorage
Botanical Name
Zamioculcas zamiifolia
Plant Type
Houseplants
Sun Exposure
Part Sun
Shade
Soil pH
Acidic
Slightly Acidic to Neutral
Bloom Time
Spring
Summer
Fall
Flower Color
Yellow
Hardiness Zone
9
10

Care Tips for Watering, Light, Soil, and Propagation of ZZ Plants

Written By: Lauren Landers Master Gardener and Contributing Writer

There’s nothing snooze-worthy about ZZ plants! With their glossy green leaves and graceful arching stems, ZZ plants (also known as the Zanzibar gem) combine elegance with an easygoing nature, making them one of the best beginner-friendly houseplants. I’ve grown ZZ plants for years in my home, and they’ve never failed me—even in a bathroom with just one small window. In this guide, I’ll share all my best tips for watering, soil, repotting, and propagation so your ZZ plant can grow beautifully with minimal effort.

About ZZ Plants

ZZ plants (Zamioculcas zamiifolia), also called Zanzibar gem, eternity plant, aroid palm, or zuzu plant, are beloved for their glossy, deep-green leaves and nearly indestructible nature. Native to the dry forests and grasslands of eastern Africa, they’re prized as one of the easiest indoor plants to care for. Like peace lilies and monstera, ZZ plants belong to the Araceae family. They may occasionally produce small, peace-lily–like blooms indoors—though most growers keep them for their striking foliage.

ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas Zamiifolia) put forth fresh flower,
A rare ZZ plant flower — a thick stalk-like bloom that often hides at the base of the stems. Credit: NRYS studio

Like other Araceae plants, ZZ plants are toxic to pets and humans if ingested, and their sap can sometimes irritate skin. Still, their incredible ability to thrive in low light, go weeks without watering, and tolerate neglect makes them a top choice for beginners and anyone who claims to have a “brown thumb.”

I personally grow my ZZ plant in a bathroom that has a single window that doesn’t let in enough light to keep most houseplants happy, but still, my ZZ plant thrives. These plants look great on tabletops and in mixed houseplant collections, too, and their no-fuss nature makes them perfect for desks and offices. Just keep in mind that ZZ plants can grow between 2 and 4 feet tall, so you’ll want a bit of space to display them in all their glory.

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Planting

One of the most challenging things about growing ZZ plants is that these plants don’t tolerate “wet feet” and can quickly develop root rot in poorly draining pots. That’s why I recommend repotting ZZ plants as soon as you bring them home, and keeping them in well-draining terracotta pots that allow moisture to wick away from their roots!

  • Choose the right pot: Growing houseplants in oversized pots can increase the risk of overwatering. To avoid this, repot your ZZ plant in a container that’s just one or two sizes larger than the plant’s existing pot.
  • Wear gloves:ZZ plant sap can be a skin irritant for some. Wearing gloves when repotting, dividing, and pruning these plants is wise!
  • Use a well-draining potting mix: Any well-draining potting mix intended for houseplants is suitable for ZZ plants. For extra drainage, consider mixing in a bit of sand or perlite, too.
  • Bury plant roots at the proper depth: When repotting, handle your plant carefully and plant the ZZ plant’s roots at the same depth they were growing in their old container. Then, firm the potting mix around your plant and water well.
  • Don’t waste rhizomes: If any of the plump rhizomatous roots break off your ZZ plant when repotting, bury them in the plant’s pot too, or pot them up in their own container. They may just grow into new ZZ plants.

Growing

ZZ plants can become leggy and spindly over time — especially when they don’t receive enough light. If this occurs, prune the leggy stems back to a leaf node. Stagger the stem lengths as you work around your plant to achieve a more natural look. Save the cut stems you remove for propagation if desired. These plants can also collect dust on their leaves, but you can make them shine again by wiping the leaves down with a damp cloth. No leaf shine products required!

Water
Easy does it when it comes to watering ZZ plants. These plants should be treated like cacti and succulents and watered deeply only when their soil feels completely dry. You may need to water them once every 2 weeks in summer, but as little as once a month in winter.
Light
ZZ plants can grow in nearly full shade to bright, indirect sun, but they'll scorch in full sun locations. Lower light will cause these plants to grow slower though!
Humidity
Although ZZ plants appreciate a bit of extra humidity during dry winter weather, their humidity needs are flexible and they'll grow happily with or without a humidifier or pebble tray.
Temperature
Temperatures below 45°F can be fatal to ZZ plants, and these plants should be kept far away from cold or drafty windows. If you place your houseplants outdoors in summer, move ZZ plants back inside when temperatures start to consistently drift below 60°F.

Fertilizer

Light feeding ZZ plants don’t need much fertilizer, but will grow faster if you feed them once or twice during the growing season with an organic houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength.
Toxicity
ZZ plants are toxic to humans and pets if ingested, and their sap can be a skin irritant in some sensitive individuals.

Types

Standard ZZ plants have deep green leaves, but these plants are also available in a few other options. If you can’t find these rarer varieties in stores, try purchasing them online from a reputable plant nursery.

  • ‘Raven’: Highly sought after ‘Raven’ ZZ plants have a moody look with leaves so dark they look black in most lighting.
Raven ZZ plant leaves close-up
Raven ZZ plant showing off its dramatic near-black foliage—a striking statement in modern interiors. Credit: P. Zielinski
  • ‘Variegated’: Variegated ZZ plants are even harder to find and their green or near-black leaves may feature splashes of white, cream, yellow, and even pink!

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Pests/Diseases

ZZ plants may be hard to kill, but they can still experience a few common issues.

  • Pests, like mealybugs and scale, may feed on ZZ plant leaves, while fungus gnats frequent these plants when they’re overwatered. Correcting watering issues should make gnats dissipate on their own, while organic soap sprays are the best treatment for more pesky pests.
  • Overwatering can cause ZZ plants to develop yellow leaves or brown leaf spots with yellow halos, and it may result in plants wilting dramatically or developing smelly roots. Mild cases of overwatering and root rot can be corrected by adjusting your watering schedule and potentially repotting your plant; however, if rot is severe, you may want to propagate new plants from stem cuttings or start over with a new ZZ plant.
The gardener points to the yellow-brown leaf of Zanzibar Gem as the cause of too frequent watering, overfilling water or occasional uneven watering.
The yellow-brown leaf of Zanzibar Gem as the cause of too frequent watering, overfilling water, or occasional uneven watering. Credit: NIce-pics-125

Potting and Repotting

How Often to Repot

Slow-growing ZZ plants rarely need repotting, but they should be moved into a larger container if their soil appears worn out or the plant’s rhizomes are pressing against the sides of the pot.

When to Repot

As with other houseplants, the best time to repot ZZ plants is in spring or summer.

How to Repot

  • Wear gloves: Always wear gloves when working with ZZ plants to prevent the plant’s irritating sap from coming into contact with your skin.
  • Remove the old pot: Hold the plant’s stems in one hand and wriggle the plant’s pot free with your opposite hand. If the pot sticks, run a butter knife around the outside of the soil to loosen it up.
  • Use fresh soil: Plant your ZZ plant in its new pot at the same depth the plant was growing in its old container. Remember to use fresh potting mix that drains well, and water your plant deeply when you’re done.
Repotting plants at home. Zamioculcas plant on floor with roots, soil, ground, pot with drainage, gardening tools
Repotting a ZZ plant at home: fresh soil, a well-draining pot, and essential gardening tools for healthy root growth. Caption: Bogdan Sonjachnyj

Propagation

ZZ plants can be propagated either via root division or stem cuttings, but you’ll get results much faster by dividing your plant’s roots.

  • Choose the best time: The best time to propagate ZZ plants is when you’re repotting your plants in spring or summer.
  • Separate the roots: Wearing gloves, remove your plant from its pot and gently tease apart the roots to separate the rhizomes into smaller sections. For faster growth, divide your plant into sections that each have a healthy cluster of roots and stems.
  • Pot them up: Repot each divided ZZ plant section into its own pot with well-draining soil, and then water them in.

Seasonal Care

Throughout the year, ZZ plants require the same basic care, although they’ll need less water and no fertilizer at all in fall and winter. Over time, the lower leaves on ZZ plant stems can appear bedraggled or dry out, turning brown. If this occurs, pinch off the leaves to freshen up the look of your plant.

Wit and Wisdom

  • Traditionally, ZZ plants have been used as medicinal plants to treat ailments as varied as inflammation, ulcers, and earaches.
  • ZZ plants were first written about by British naturalist and gardener George Loddiges in 1829.
  • ZZ plants owe their drought tolerance to their potato-like rhizomes that are adept at water storage, and their succulent leaves that contain 91% water!

Houseplant Guides
About The Author
Lauren Landers

Lauren Landers

Master Gardener and Contributing Writer

Lauren is a gardener, writer, and public speaker with over a decade of experience helping others learn about gardening, homesteading, and sustainable living.She combines years of practical gardening a...
Read More from Lauren Landers

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