ZZ Plant Care: The Nearly Indestructible Houseplant

Let me tell you about my favorite "set it and forget it" houseplant: the ZZ plant. I have one that's survived a month-long vacation with zero care, lived through a winter in a barely heated room, and bounced back from complete neglect more times than I can count.

If you're looking for a plant that thrives on benign neglect, loves low light, and basically takes care of itself, the ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia—try saying that three times fast!) is your answer.

Not sure which plants are best for your bathroom conditions? Use our Plant Finder tool to discover plants perfect for your humidity and light levels.

I call it the "unkillable" plant, and while that's not technically 100% true (you can definitely kill one by overwatering), it's pretty darn close. This is the plant I recommend to everyone who swears they have a black thumb.

In this guide, I'll share everything you need to know about ZZ plant care, including the few ways you actually CAN kill one (so you can avoid them) and how to keep yours looking its glossy best with minimal effort.

What Is a ZZ Plant?

Scientific Name: Zamioculcas zamiifolia (often shortened to "ZZ") Common Names: ZZ Plant, Zanzibar Gem, Zuzu Plant, Aroid Palm, Eternity Plant Origin: Eastern Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar) Growth Habit: Rhizomatous perennial (grows from underground stems that store water)

The ZZ plant is native to drought-prone regions of Eastern Africa, which explains its incredible ability to survive with minimal water. In the wild, it grows in dry grasslands and forests where rainfall is seasonal and unpredictable.

Those thick, glossy leaves and potato-like rhizomes underground act as water storage tanks, allowing the plant to cruise through dry periods without breaking a sweat.

What Makes ZZ Plants Special:

• Nearly indestructible (serious minimal care)
• Tolerates low light better than almost any plant
• Can go weeks without water
• Pest-resistant
• Air-purifying qualities
• Glossy, architectural appearance
• Grows slowly (no constant maintenance needed)

Fun fact: The ZZ plant only became popular as a houseplant in the 1990s, making it a relative newcomer compared to other common houseplants!

ZZ Plant Care: The Complete Guide

Light Requirements

Ideal: Bright, indirect light Tolerated: Low to medium light (extremely adaptable!) Avoid: Direct hot sun (scorches leaves), complete darkness

Here's what makes ZZ plants amazing: they tolerate pretty much any light condition except total darkness and harsh direct sun.

In Bright Indirect Light:

• Faster growth (2-4 new stems per year)
• Glossier leaves
• Fuller appearance
• More vibrant green color

In Medium Light:

• Moderate growth (1-2 new stems per year)
• Still looks great
• Perfect health

In Low Light:

• Slow growth (may produce only 1 stem per year or less)
• Still survives beautifully
• Maintains glossy appearance
• One of the FEW plants that genuinely thrive here

Pro Tip: ZZ plants are perfect for offices, bathrooms without windows, hallways, and north-facing rooms. They literally grow under fluorescent lights!

Watering Your ZZ Plant

This is where people usually mess up. ZZ plants are drought-tolerant, not swamp-dwelling. Overwatering is the #1 way to kill a ZZ plant.

When to Water:

• When soil is completely dry (check 2-3 inches down)
• When leaves start to curl slightly inward (rare, but a good indicator)
• Every 2-3 weeks in spring/summer
• Every 3-4 weeks (or longer!) in fall/winter

How to Water:

1. Check soil is completely dry first (seriously, check!)
2. Water thoroughly until water drains from bottom
3. Let excess water drain completely
4. Don't water again until soil is totally dry

The Golden Rule: When in doubt, wait another week. ZZ plants can handle drought much better than wet soil.

Signs of Overwatering (THE Main Problem):

• Yellow or brown mushy stems at base
• Soft, falling-over stems
• Rotting rhizomes (underground stems turn to mush)
• Yellowing leaves
• Foul smell from soil
• Stems easily pull off

Signs of Underwatering (Rare but Possible):

• Leaves curling inward
• Wrinkled rhizomes (if you dig down to check)
• Stems drooping dramatically
• Dry, crispy leaf edges (very rare)

Important: ZZ plants can literally go 4-6 weeks without water and be perfectly fine. They evolved for drought! I've forgotten about mine for a month and it looked exactly the same.

Soil and Potting Mix

ZZ plants need extremely well-draining soil because they're susceptible to root rot.

Best Soil Mix:

• 60% cactus/succulent potting mix
• 30% standard potting soil
• 10% perlite or pumice

Store-Bought Alternative: Cactus or succulent mix works perfectly straight from the bag!

Soil Requirements:

• Extremely fast-draining
• Slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0)
• Chunky texture
• Doesn't stay wet for days

Avoid:

• Standard potting soil (too moisture-retentive)
• Heavy, dense soil
• Soil without drainage amendments
• Anything that stays wet

Container Requirements:

• MUST have drainage holes (non-negotiable!)
• Terracotta pots are excellent (they breathe and dry faster)
• Plastic pots work if you're careful with watering
• Never use pots without drainage

Pro Tip: I plant all my ZZ plants in terracotta pots. The porous clay wicks moisture away and dries faster, giving you more margin for error with watering.

Temperature and Humidity

Ideal Temperature: 60-75°F (15-24°C) Tolerated Range: 50-85°F (10-29°C) Cold Damage: Below 45°F (7°C)

ZZ plants prefer average household temperatures and aren't picky about humidity at all.

Humidity Requirements:

Minimum: 30% (very dry air, totally fine) Ideal: 40-50% (average household humidity) Maximum Benefit: They honestly don't care—save your humidifier for finicky plants!

Unlike most tropical plants, ZZ plants don't need high humidity because they evolved in dry conditions. This makes them perfect for:

• Heated homes in winter (dry air)
• Air-conditioned offices
• Desert climates
• Any space where humidity is low

No Special Humidity Measures Needed! This is a true set-it-and-forget-it plant.

Fertilizing Your ZZ Plant

ZZ plants have very low fertilizer needs. They're used to nutrient-poor soil in their native habitat.

Fertilizer Schedule:

• Spring/Summer: Once every 2-3 months (not more!)
• Fall/Winter: Skip entirely

Best Fertilizer:

• Balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer (20-20-20 or 10-10-10)
• Dilute to HALF or QUARTER strength
• Cactus/succulent fertilizer also works great

Application Tips:

1. Water thoroughly before fertilizing
2. Apply diluted fertilizer with regular watering
3. Less is more—ZZ plants don't need much
4. Skip fertilizing for 6 months after repotting (soil has nutrients)

Signs of Over-Fertilization:

• White crust on soil surface (salt buildup)
• Brown leaf tips
• Yellowing leaves
• Stunted growth (counterintuitive!)

Signs of Under-Fertilization (Rare):

• Very pale new growth
• Extremely slow growth even in bright light
• Overall lackluster appearance

Pro Tip: I fertilize my ZZ plants only 2-3 times per year total, and they look fantastic. These plants truly don't need much!

Common ZZ Plant Problems and Solutions

Yellow Leaves

Most Common Cause: Overwatering

Solution:

1. Stop watering immediately
2. Check if soil is soggy
3. Remove plant from pot and inspect rhizomes
4. If rhizomes are firm and tan/white, let soil dry completely
5. If rhizomes are soft and brown, cut away rotted portions and repot in fresh dry soil
6. Adjust watering schedule going forward

Other Causes:

• Natural aging (1-2 older leaves yellowing is normal)
• Cold stress (move to warmer location)

Brown Spots on Leaves

Causes:

• Direct sun exposure (sunburn)
• Physical damage
• Pest damage (rare)

Solution: Move away from direct sun, check for pests, remove damaged leaves if cosmetically bothering you.

Leggy or Sparse Growth

Causes:

• Insufficient light (even ZZ plants have limits)
• Extremely old plant that needs division

Solution: Move to brighter location, consider dividing rhizomes to encourage new growth.

Stems Falling Over

Causes:

• Overwatering (rot at base)
• Top-heavy stems in low light
• Natural aging

Solution: Check for rot, reduce watering, stake stems if needed, or prune older stems.

No New Growth

Causes:

• Natural slow growth (they're just slow!)
• Insufficient light
• Dormant period (fall/winter)
• Needs fertilizer (rarely)

Solution: Be patient, move to brighter light, wait for growing season, fertilize lightly.

Propagating ZZ Plants

ZZ plants are easy to propagate, though they take time. There are two main methods:

Division (Fastest Method)

Best For: Mature plants with multiple stems

Steps:

1. Remove plant from pot during repotting
2. Gently separate rhizomes (underground potato-like structures)
3. Each division should have 2-3 stems and healthy rhizomes
4. Plant each division in its own pot with fresh soil
5. Water lightly and wait for roots to establish (2-4 weeks)

Timeline: Instant new plant! Just needs time to adjust.

Leaf Cuttings (Slow but Cool!)

Best For: If you just have a few leaves to spare

Steps:

1. Cut a healthy leaf cleanly at the base
2. Let cut end dry for 2-3 hours (prevents rot)
3. Plant cut end in moist succulent mix (only 1 inch deep)
4. Place in bright, indirect light
5. Keep soil barely moist (not wet!)
6. Wait for rhizome to form underground (2-4 months!)
7. Wait for first shoot to emerge (4-9 months total!)

Timeline: 4-12 months for a new plant. Seriously, it's slow. But it works!

Pro Tip: You can also root leaves in water first, then transfer to soil once small rhizomes form (2-3 months in water).

Stem Cuttings

Steps:

1. Cut a full stem with leaves attached just above soil
2. Let cut end dry 2-3 hours
3. Plant in moist soil
4. Keep warm and in bright light
5. Wait for roots (1-2 months)

Timeline: 2-4 months for established roots.

Important: ZZ plant propagation is SLOW. Be patient! The plant is putting energy into growing underground rhizomes before you see any top growth.

Repotting Your ZZ Plant

ZZ plants are slow growers and don't need frequent repotting.

When to Repot:

• Every 2-3 years
• When rhizomes push against pot sides (you'll see bulges!)
• When roots grow through drainage holes
• When plant is extremely root-bound

Best Time: Spring (start of growing season)

Repotting Steps:

1. Choose a pot only 1-2 inches larger (ZZ plants like being slightly pot-bound)
2. Prepare fresh, well-draining soil
3. Remove plant from old pot (may need to cut plastic pots—rhizomes get BIG!)
4. Shake off old soil
5. Inspect and remove any rotted rhizomes
6. Plant in new pot at same depth
7. Water lightly (just enough to settle soil)
8. Wait 1 week before watering again

Pro Tip: Don't be alarmed if rhizomes are HUGE and bulging out of the soil. This is totally normal! Those bulbous underground structures store water and are the plant's superpower.

Pot Bound = OK: ZZ plants actually prefer being slightly root-bound. Don't rush to repot just because roots fill the pot.

ZZ Plant Varieties

While standard green ZZ plants are most common, there are a few stunning varieties:

1. Classic ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

The original! Deep green, glossy leaves. Most common and easiest to find.

2. ZZ Raven (Black ZZ Plant)

Stunning dark purple-black foliage! New growth emerges green then darkens to near-black. Same easy care as green variety. Absolutely gorgeous and increasingly available.

3. ZZ Zenzi (Dwarf ZZ)

Compact variety that stays smaller (12-18 inches vs. 2-3 feet). Perfect for desks or small spaces. Slightly darker green, more compact leaves.

4. Zamicro (Miniature ZZ)

Even more compact than Zenzi. Stays under 12 inches tall. Great for small pots and tight spaces.

5. Lucky Classic

Slightly variegated variety with lighter green streaks. Less common but occasionally available.

All varieties have the same easy care requirements!

ZZ Plant Care Card (Quick Reference)

Shopping List: ZZ Plant Essentials

Want to set your ZZ plant up for success? Here's what you need:

• Cactus & Succulent Soil Mix - Perfect fast-draining soil
• Terracotta Pot with Drainage - Helps prevent overwatering
• Moisture Meter - Takes guesswork out of when to water
• Diluted Liquid Fertilizer - For occasional feeding

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Why ZZ Plants Are Perfect for Beginners

Let me be real with you: if you've killed every plant you've ever owned, a ZZ plant might just change your life.

Here's why they're the ultimate beginner plant:

1. Forgiving watering schedule - Can go weeks without water
2. Low light tolerant - One of the few plants that genuinely thrives in low light
3. No humidity requirements - Works in any home
4. Pest resistant - Rarely has pest problems
5. Slow growing - Doesn't need constant repotting or maintenance
6. Looks great with minimal care - Those glossy leaves stay beautiful
7. Hard to kill - Really, really hard (as long as you don't overwater!)

I've given ZZ plants to friends who swore they couldn't keep anything alive. Three years later, their ZZ plants are still thriving with basically zero care.

The ONE Way to Kill a ZZ Plant

Let's be honest: there's really only one common way to kill a ZZ plant, and that's overwatering.

ZZ plants have thick, water-storing rhizomes underground. When you water too frequently or let the plant sit in soggy soil, those rhizomes rot. And once rot sets in, it spreads quickly.

How to Avoid This:

• Let soil dry COMPLETELY between waterings
• Use well-draining soil
• Ensure pot has drainage holes
• When in doubt, wait another week to water
• Remember: this plant evolved for drought!

If you can master the "when in doubt, don't water" mentality, your ZZ plant will outlive most of your other houseplants.

Ready to find more plants for your home? Explore our Plant Finder for personalized recommendations.

Related Guides

Explore more plant care resources:

• Low Light Houseplants Guide - ZZ plants are featured as ultra low-light champions
• Best Bathroom Plants - ZZ plants adapt well to bathroom humidity
• Pet-Safe Houseplants - Note: ZZ plants are toxic to pets, see safe alternatives

Final Thoughts

The ZZ plant is proof that stunning doesn't have to mean high-maintenance. Those glossy, architectural leaves make a statement in any room, while the plant itself asks for almost nothing in return.

Whether you're a total beginner, constantly traveling, or just want a plant that doesn't stress you out, the ZZ plant delivers. It thrives on neglect, tolerates low light like a champ, and basically takes care of itself.

My advice? Get a ZZ plant, put it somewhere with decent light, water it every few weeks, and then just… enjoy it. That's it. That's the whole routine.

If you can avoid the overwatering trap (the plant's one weakness), you'll have a gorgeous, glossy green friend for many years to come.

Now go forth and embrace the easiest houseplant care routine of your life! 🌿