Zamioculcas Species, Aroid Palm, Succulent Philodendron, Zanzibar Gem, ZZ Plant
Zamioculcas zamiifolia
Family: | Araceae (a-RAY-see-ee) (Info) |
Genus: | Zamioculcas (zam-ee-oh-KUL-kass) (Info) |
Species: | zamiifolia (zam-ee-FOH-lee-uh) (Info) |
Synonym: | Caladium zamiaefolium |
Synonym: | Zamioculcas loddigesii |
Synonym: | Zamioculcas lanceolata |
Category:
Tropicals and Tender Perennials
Water Requirements:
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Sun Exposure:
Light Shade
Foliage:
Grown for foliage
Smooth
Foliage Color:
Medium Green
Height:
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Spacing:
18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Where to Grow:
Suitable for growing in containers
Danger:
All parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color:
Bright Yellow
Brown/Bronze
Bloom Characteristics:
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Other details:
Soil pH requirements:
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
From leaf cuttings
Seed Collecting:
N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Phoenix, Arizona(2 reports)
Scottsdale, Arizona
Brea, California
Burbank, California
Carlsbad, California
Clayton, California
Fontana, California
Merced, California
Redlands, California
San Diego, California
Susanville, California
Tulare, California
Upland, California
Alamosa, Colorado
Meriden, Connecticut
Wilmington, Delaware
Big Pine Key, Florida
Boca Raton, Florida
Brooksville, Florida
Englewood, Florida
Fort Lauderdale, Florida(2 reports)
Fort Myers, Florida(2 reports)
Green Cove Springs, Florida
Homestead, Florida(2 reports)
Jacksonville, Florida
Lake City, Florida
Lake Worth, Florida
Lakeland, Florida
Marianna, Florida
Miami, Florida
Miami Beach, Florida
New Port Richey, Florida
Oldsmar, Florida
Pompano Beach, Florida
Winter Haven, Florida
Hampton, Georgia
Loganville, Georgia
Villa Rica, Georgia
Chicago, Illinois
Davenport, Iowa
Chalmette, Louisiana
Gonzales, Louisiana
Kenner, Louisiana
Slidell, Louisiana
Thibodaux, Louisiana
Violet, Louisiana
Greenfield, Massachusetts
Columbia, Missouri
Dunellen, New Jersey
Lanoka Harbor, New Jersey
Woodstown, New Jersey
Warne, North Carolina
Ada, Oklahoma
Hulbert, Oklahoma
Mannford, Oklahoma
Mcalester, Oklahoma
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Middleton, Tennessee
Abilene, Texas
Alvin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Broaddus, Texas
Bryan, Texas
College Station, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Greenville, Texas
Kerrville, Texas
Lockhart, Texas
Mont Belvieu, Texas
Pearsall, Texas
Portland, Texas
Richmond, Texas
Rowlett, Texas
Saratoga, Texas
Trinity, Texas
show allGardeners' Notes:
Rating | Content |
---|---|
Neutral | On Nov 28, 2015, petrov wrote: deleted?! |
Neutral | On Jan 22, 2015, Camillia84 from Jacksonville, FL (Zone 9a) wrote: Received this plant from a girl at my husbands office----almost dead, no leaves & sopping wet soil. Had no idea what it was at the time. Split up & salvaged what I could of the plants root system. She wanted me to salvage it. Re-worked every thing & included water tube so she wouldn't over water it. Got it back about a month later--dying! |
Positive | On May 19, 2014, 2013_2 from Greenville, TX wrote: Zone 8b, Greenville, Hunt Co., Texas |
Positive | On Jun 24, 2013, MusaRojo wrote: I bought this plant as a rescue from a supermarket. It had been without water for so long the stems looked like black wires! The leaves were covered in mineral deposits from a happier time in the plant’s life when it had been watered occasionally. To get rid of the mineral deposits I gave the plant a heavy daily misting with bottled water instead of pouring water onto the soil once a week or so. |
Positive | On Aug 29, 2012, absinthe27 from Albertville, MN (Zone 4b) wrote: This plant is ridiculously easy to take care of. I have two in the house and one in my office, all of which are about three years old, and none have ever had problems. One is planted is a round fishbowl with no drainage material whatsoever, and still it flourishes. Very pretty and super easy to maintain. |
Positive | On Sep 12, 2011, leha from Santa Rosa, CA wrote: ZZ is a nice, and relatively nontoxic plant, although you should not eat it. I suspect the rumors about it being poisonous came from someone who confused it with the cycad, Zamia furfuracea, to which it is not the least bit related, though it bears a cursory resemblance, and may have gotten its name from this. |
Positive | On Dec 6, 2010, Alexwtf_93 from Susanville, CA wrote: i got this 4 years ago in a 4 inch pot, i repotted it right away and it spread out and filled the new pot, it is now in a 10 inch container and almost 3 feet tall, grows well wherever i put it |
Neutral | On Mar 20, 2010, allisons883 from Vincent, AL wrote: When my mother died in Aug 08, the flower shop sold me a zeze plant because I told them of my inability to grow anything except weeds. They said I would not have a problem with this plant because it can be neglected and grow great. It did for about a year and half. Here lately the ends up the stalks have dried and shriveled up. The bottoms of the stalks are still green and full. It is looking pretty rough. I have been trying to find information about this and see what I can do to help revive this plant with no such luck. Anyone else have problems with dry shriveled stalks?? |
Positive | On Feb 25, 2010, trackinsand from mid central, FL (Zone 9a) wrote: i'll add my 2 cents on the ZZ plant. mine was purchased several years ago at HD. it was already a large plant. i bought an appropriate pot for it (a rather squat but large diameter, round plastic pot) and also a plant dolly because i knew it would be too heavy to move around the back porch which faces east. |
Positive | On Feb 5, 2010, mkkk from Kota Kinabalu, I am from Malaysia, zz plant in Malaysia is money tree, and it is very famous, but since last year newspaper reported that the tree is poisonous, even the soil in the pot and advice not to touch the plant or reuse the soil to plant fruit or veg. |
Positive | On Aug 27, 2009, JerusalemCherry from Dunellen, NJ (Zone 6b) wrote: Check out the picture I uploaded on this page with my Variegated ZZ Plant. You can find the standard ZZ Plant at home improvement stores etc, but the variegated ZZ Plant I could only find online and the member that was selling it was located in Thailand. Most Thai online plant sellers will ship to the US bare root via EMS. My ZZ plant arrived in great condition and very quickly (approx 4 days). |
Positive | On Aug 3, 2009, silvettann from Abilene, TX wrote: In 2004 I was dazzled by the ZZ plant in a garden center - in of all places-- WALMART- McAlester, Oklahoma! The price was insane but I purchased anyway. No one there had a clue what it was or how to take care of it. After checking out the nature of the plant online I was even happier I bought the two they had. |
Positive | On Jun 15, 2009, sevp from Warne, NC wrote: Love this plant! I've bought it about 4 years ago, had it in a bright sunroom in our house in Georgia and moved over the winter to North Carolina. Right now it's living on top of a cabinet with 2nd story windows giving it lots of light. It had 4 small fronds when I got it, has added 5 large ones in the past, and is working on 2 right now. I've severely neglected it at times and spoiled it some too. It's still in it's first pot, but after reading all your comments I can't wait to repot it to see what will happen! Never lost a leaf and even though my daughter's cats have nibbled on just about all my other houseplants they never touched this one. Smart cats. |
Positive | On Dec 3, 2008, activeZZ from Hoboken, NJ wrote: I purchased a 3' ZZ Plant in June 2008 and it seems to be growing a lot faster than what I've read about this plant. It's in a 13" wide pot, gets no sunlight, and two cups of water every two weeks. Over the summer, it grew almost ten "incomplete" flowers and it still has one (I removed the others, because they turned brown). It has grown eight new stalks since I got it and the tallest new stalk is already 3' tall. All the new stalks, including their leaves, are light green. |
Positive | On Apr 12, 2008, ExoticRainforest from Siloam Springs, AR wrote: Some of the information above does not exactly line up with botanical findings although it is generally accepted by most growers. |
Positive | On Mar 29, 2008, vossner from East Texas, A house plant I have not killed. |
Positive | On Feb 9, 2008, Sharkey from Marianna, FL (Zone 8b) wrote: I purchased this plant 3 to 4 months ago at Walmart. However, I just subscribed to this site in hopes that someone can help me save the plant before an unidentified worm destroys it. I noticed a number of worms (?) in the tray underneath the plant. I'm not sure what they are and how to treat it. I assume that is why some of the leaves are turning yellow. I only water it every few weeks. It is indoors in a southeast corner and it gets lots of light during the day. It's a thick plant with many 3 to 4 ft. stalks. Some of the larger stalks are leaning almost completely horizontal. I love the plant and want to save it! Even though I'm having a slight problem with it, I would still recommend it! I'm looking forward to learning to use all the resources of this site, as I have lots of plants and ... read more |
Positive | On Jan 6, 2008, fburg696 from Farmersburg, IN wrote: I picked one of these plants up at Lowe's after seeing it there a couple times when I went there for potting soil.I knew it would die if i didnt get it so i bought it and I have never regretted it. |
Positive | On Nov 26, 2007, txboy65 from Austin, TX (Zone 8b) wrote: Had mine for a few years now. Found it at a local home improvement store. It has quickly outgrown the pot I put it in - which is a shame since the jade color of the pot really looks good with the leaves. Just brought in in from under the tree where it spent all Summer here in Austin Tx. I had to pry it out of the ground where it took root. I am thinking a wider pot for this item. Looks like it wants to spread. Probably have about 2 dozen amazing green and smooth branches with more on the way. Just a lovely item to have. |
Positive | On Oct 10, 2007, robbit from Brooklyn, NY wrote: yesterday i went to the florist down the block and saw this sad tall, slender plant. i didn't know what it was, and the guy working that night never really knows what the plants are called or how to take care of them. then i had a dream about the plant. so today i went and got him! he was nearly falling over--too tall and not many roots to hold him up. the man working showed me what he is "supposed" to look like and showed me a "healthier" one and said he'd give it to me for 8 bucks if i wanted to take it. he said it wasn't doing so well. I got him anyway! he looks healthy to me...i think he was just not potted very well. i got some potting soil and a new pot for him and replanted him (or...all 4 of him and a knot i also found!). he seems a lot more stable now. can't wait to see... read more |
Neutral | On Sep 4, 2007, Sashagirl from Davenport, IA (Zone 5a) wrote: I have a love/hate relationship with this plant. |
Positive | On Jul 23, 2007, marybeverly from Northbrook, IL wrote: I found this ZZ plant in Naples Florida and its the most wonderful plant you can have, especially good for beauty and conversation. I have even made cuttings and rooted them for friends. |
Positive | On Jun 26, 2007, goldendragon from Mannford, OK wrote: My husband and I live a few miles west of Tulsa, Ok. I was given a start of the ZZ plant in the spring of 2004. I have repotted it 3 times since using just ordinary potting soil. The latest repotting was early May 2007. It had already put on 2 flower stems by that time. Since repotting to a larger pot, it has put out several new shoots. As to whether they are leaf stems or flower is yet to be seen. I normally keep the plant in my livingroom during the winter with subdued light from a nearby window. In the spring I put it out on the deck as soon as all frost danger is past and the night time temperatures remain above 55 degrees. It receives early morning sun and about 4 hours of afternoon sunlight. The only thing I have found to cause any damage to the plant is Hummingbird necta... read more |
Positive | On Oct 5, 2006, VERTICOLOR from TROIS-RIVIÈRES, QC (Zone 3b) wrote: Back in 2001, my wife and I purchased a ZZ plant which then had only 3 or 4 stems of roughly one foot high. We were attracted by its particularly shiny, plastic-like foliage disposed neatly about those smooth cylindrical stems and also by the peculiar look of those stems at the base. We thought at that time that this plant was some kind of cycad but after intensive searches on the Internet, including this wonderfully well arranged Dave’s Garden site, we found what exactly the plant was. |
Positive | On Sep 18, 2006, DirkRyan from Mitchell, NE wrote: i bought a zz plant form my college plant sale i love it its slow to grow a new stem but uts an prefect plant for my room which gets no direct sun and i enjoy its leaf texture. |
Positive | On Apr 25, 2006, Sujatha from Kuala Lumpur, An easy plant to grow and has lovely glossy leaves. Grows very well in tropical climate like Malaysia. In Malaysia, it is locally called the prosperity plant and feng shui believers generally keep this plant in the house for good luck. |
Positive | On Apr 24, 2006, coopermini_1 from Saint Paul, MN wrote: The ZZ is so cool, it's fun to see it grow because it's fast! I love how the leaves unfurl....AND mine has a small "pod", I'm hoping it's a flower bud! Can't wait to see what it turns out to be. Love this plant! |
Positive | On Jun 18, 2005, brugmansialover from Santa Maria, CA (Zone 9a) wrote: I love ZZ plant! It is soo pretty, and very easy to grow, i have it in my restroom, where it doesnt get alot of light, but it sure looks like it loves what im doing, it gets humidity when i take a shower, or a bath, and i use bottled water on all my house plants, because i have bad tap water in this town!!! I cant wait for my ZZ plant to get big, i have seen some huge ones in person, about 3 feet tall!!! |
Positive | On Apr 20, 2005, artcons from Fort Lauderdale, FL (Zone 10b) wrote: Here in zone 10 it has been a good grower. It's just a bit over a year old. It's growing in light shade. |
Positive | On Feb 23, 2005, txgirl221 from Saratoga, TX wrote: I love my ZZ plant. Is feb and it has been on 6 new stems. But now I have 2 old stems that the leaves are dying on. What is wrong. Can anyone help me? |
Positive | On Feb 3, 2005, sophieprincess from Melbourne, I took a trip to China shortly after purchasing my ZZ plant from a department store in Australia. To my amazement I saw the same plant bonsaied in the breakfast lobby of my hotel (and had very little exposure to daylight at all) I truly was a magnificant specimen in the tint pt with the very fleshy stems bulging out of the top! |
Positive | On Oct 17, 2004, dvotaw from Lancaster, TX (Zone 8a) wrote: My first siteing was in my doctors office building four years ago. I was just dying to know what it was. Even told my husband how neat this plant was. Well after 4 years of seeing it, I finally got the nerve to reach in and rip off by hand a small stem.(4 leaves) |
Positive | On Aug 27, 2004, Indyka from Sulphur, OK wrote: After doing a little research of my own on the ZZ Plant I have found out that Plant needs to be planted in a shallow containr and in sandy soil. Since I have just recently purchased this ZZ Plant I wanted to find out a little more about it. I also found out it looks and resembles the Cycad zamia furfuracea or cardboard palm. Another bit of information I got was to keep the plant away from any hot direct afternoon sun as the plant can burn. A good bright filtered afternoon sun will work just fine. Also if you over water your plant you will find that the leaves will start yellowing. One article said that the ZZ Plant is a member of the Aroid family along with the Philodendron, spathipyllum and the Aglaonema. The only down side of the ZZ Plant was is slow growing process. I personally... read more |
Positive | On Jun 2, 2004, fredfour from Fair Oaks, CA wrote: Fast growing, low maintenance plant that can quickly grow into a 4' tall dramatic addition to any household. A great place to start for the novice or new homemaker seeking an easy care, flexible placement, table top, plant stand or eventually floor plant. |
Positive | On Feb 6, 2004, palmbob from Acton, CA (Zone 8b) wrote: This is a great indoor/outdoor potted plant in So Cal... it's a bit tender.. think the rating on cold tolerance is a bit off... I cannot grow it outdoors in Thousand Oaks consistently (dies off in cold years), though have to admit grows back from the tubers... so maybe you could say it is deciduous in 9a-9b. This is a native of Tanzania and Zanzibar, where it commonly found growing in the short forests and among the rocky areas. It is an aroid, but the only aroid that grows from leaf cuttings... just cut a leaf, stuff it in the ground and it will form a bulb. This is a primitive characteristic so it is thought this is one of the more primitive plants on this earth. NOT related to a cycad as some assume by the name. |
Positive | On Nov 9, 2003, joeynorris wrote: I have found one of the best indoor plants I have seen in years. This plant grows good in any light and goes well in any setting. I am a true ZZ lover! |
Neutral | On Apr 6, 2003, kimche from Mentor, OH wrote: This plant was just profiled in Better Homes and Gardens Magazine as a great, easy maintenance houseplant. The plant contains oxalates (hence my adding toxicity to the description), which are the same chemicals as Diffenbachia (Dumb Cane) contains. It could cause swelling on the tongue and mouth if ingested, so I'd be careful around children and pets. I was very close to buying one until I found that out. |
Positive | On Mar 26, 2003, jello45420 from Dayton, OH wrote: This plant is indeed easy to maintain. It grows rapidly and is an attractive addition to any house plant collection. |
Positive | On Dec 22, 2002, Chamma from Tennille, GA (Zone 8b) wrote: I find that this is one of the easiest plants to grow! I do little for it except water it and when I think of it give it a little fertlizer! It grows into quite a large plant and quickly! |
Neutral | On Oct 8, 2001, pinkphal wrote: The ZZ plant has thick, succulent stems carrying smooth, waxy, glossy leaves. It develops tubers underground. |