A ZZ plant, with glossy dark green leaflets on smooth upright stems, and the plant to choose for a room where nothing else will grow.
Zamioculcas zamiifolia comes from eastern Africa and stores water in fat underground rhizomes, which is what makes it so hard to kill. It forms an upright clump of arching stems, each set with pairs of thick, high-gloss leaflets, and reaches around 60cm to 1m each way. The RHS calls it tolerant of neglect, and it copes with low light better than almost any other houseplant.
Stand it anywhere from a bright indirect spot to a genuinely dim hallway. Let the compost dry out completely between waterings and water sparingly, particularly in winter, because overwatering is the one thing that reliably kills it. Ordinary indoor humidity is fine and it never wants misting. Keep it between about 15C and 26C, away from cold draughts, and use a well-drained peat-free compost. Feed monthly through spring and summer. Wipe the leaflets occasionally; the gloss is half the appeal and dust dulls it quickly.
Supplied as one established plant with a 5 litre root ball, so the rhizomes are already well developed. ZZ plant is harmful if eaten and is a skin and eye irritant, and it is toxic to cats and dogs, so keep it out of their reach.
Cultural Information
Common Name: ZZ plant, Zanzibar gem, eternity plant
Fully Grown Height and Spread: 60cm to 1m x 60cm to 1m indoors
Growth Habit: Upright and clump forming with arching stems
Perfect For: Living rooms, offices, hallways, bedrooms and low-light corners
Foliage: Glossy, dark green, pinnate leaves on smooth upright stems
Flowering Time: Grown for foliage
Planting Position: Bright to low indirect light indoors
Soil Type: Well-drained, peat-free potting compost
Hardiness: Tender, indoor only; keep above 10C
Maintenance: Easy; let it dry out fully between waterings
Seasonal Interest: Evergreen foliage all year
Type: Evergreen architectural houseplant
