ZZ Plant Care: The Actual Unkillable Houseplant

ZZ plants (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) are the houseplant equivalent of a Toyota Corolla. Reliable, low-maintenance, nearly indestructible, and not flashy but gets the job done.

I’ve seen ZZ plants survive in:

  • Windowless offices with only fluorescent lights
  • Homes where the owner forgot they existed for two months
  • Dark corners where most plants would die within weeks
  • Apartments with zero natural light

They just keep going. Shiny, waxy leaves. Slow, steady growth. Zero drama.

If you’ve killed every other plant you’ve owned, try a ZZ plant. If you kill this one, maybe stick to artificial plants.

Why ZZ Plants Are Perfect for Beginners

They tolerate extreme neglect. ZZ plants have thick, water-storing rhizomes underground. They can go weeks (or even months) without water.

They handle low light. While they prefer bright, indirect light, they’ll survive in low-light conditions that would kill most plants.

They’re pest-resistant. Pests rarely bother ZZ plants. The thick, waxy leaves are hard for bugs to penetrate.

They don’t need fertilizer. ZZ plants grow slowly and don’t require regular feeding.

They’re nearly impossible to kill. Unless you drown them or freeze them, they’ll survive just about anything.

Light Requirements

ZZ plants are flexible. They’ll tolerate almost any light level except total darkness.

Best light: Bright, indirect light. Near a window with filtered light. They’ll grow faster and produce darker green leaves.

Will tolerate:

  • Low light (north-facing windows, corners of rooms, offices with fluorescent lights)
  • Medium light (east or west-facing windows)
  • Even artificial light

Avoid: Direct afternoon sun. It can scorch the leaves. Morning sun is fine.

Pro tip: ZZ plants grow slower in low light, which is fine. They’re slow growers anyway. If you want faster growth, give them brighter light.

Watering

This is where most people go wrong. ZZ plants are drought-tolerant. They store water in their rhizomes (thick underground stems that look like potatoes).

Overwatering is the number one way to kill a ZZ plant.

How to water:

  1. Let the soil dry out completely before watering
  2. Stick your finger 2-3 inches into the soil - if it’s dry, water
  3. Water thoroughly until water runs out the drainage holes
  4. Let it drain completely
  5. Wait until the soil is bone dry before watering again

How often?

  • Spring/summer: Every 2-3 weeks
  • Fall/winter: Every 3-4 weeks (or less)

Pro tip: ZZ plants would rather be underwatered than overwatered. When in doubt, wait a few more days.

Signs of overwatering:

  • Yellow stems or leaves
  • Mushy, soft rhizomes
  • Foul smell from the soil
  • Stems falling over

Signs of underwatering:

  • Leaves wrinkling or curling
  • Stems drooping
  • Soil is bone dry and pulling away from the pot

If you overwater: Stop watering immediately. Let the soil dry out completely. If the rhizomes are mushy and rotting, remove the plant from the pot, cut away the rotten parts, and repot in fresh, dry soil.

Soil and Potting

ZZ plants need well-draining soil. They’ll rot if the soil stays wet.

Best soil:

  • Cactus/succulent mix
  • Standard potting mix + perlite or coarse sand (2 parts soil, 1 part perlite)

Pot requirements:

  • Must have drainage holes
  • Doesn’t need to be large - ZZ plants like being root-bound
  • Terracotta pots are great because they wick moisture away from the soil

When to repot: Every 2-3 years, or when rhizomes are pushing up out of the soil. ZZ plants grow slowly, so they don’t need frequent repotting.

How to repot:

  1. Choose a pot 1-2 inches larger than the current one
  2. Use fresh, well-draining soil
  3. Remove the plant and shake off old soil
  4. Trim any dead or rotting rhizomes
  5. Plant at the same depth as before
  6. Wait a week before watering

Pro tip: ZZ plants can crack plastic pots if they get too root-bound. Don’t panic - just repot them.

Temperature and Humidity

ZZ plants are flexible. They’re happy in normal household conditions.

Temperature: 60-75°F is ideal. They can tolerate temps down to 50°F but won’t be happy. Keep them away from cold drafts and heating vents.

Humidity: They’re fine with dry air. Average household humidity (30-50%) is perfect. No need for humidifiers or misting.

Fertilizing

ZZ plants don’t need much fertilizer. They’re slow growers and can survive without it.

How to fertilize:

  • Use a balanced liquid fertilizer (10-10-10 or 20-20-20)
  • Dilute to half strength
  • Fertilize once in spring and once in summer
  • Skip fertilizer in fall and winter

Warning: Too much fertilizer can cause leaf burn and damage roots. Less is more.

Cleaning the Leaves

ZZ plants have glossy leaves that collect dust. Dusty leaves can’t photosynthesize efficiently.

How to clean:

  • Wipe leaves gently with a damp cloth every few weeks
  • Or take the plant outside and hose it down (let it dry before bringing it back inside)

Don’t use: Leaf shine products. They clog the pores and look artificial.

Propagating ZZ Plants

ZZ plants are easy to propagate, but they’re slow. Patience is required.

Method 1: Division (fastest)

  1. Remove the plant from its pot
  2. Separate the rhizomes with a clean knife
  3. Each section should have at least one stem and healthy rhizomes
  4. Plant each section in its own pot with fresh soil
  5. Water lightly and wait a week before watering again

Method 2: Stem cuttings (slower)

  1. Cut a healthy stem near the base
  2. Place the stem in water or moist soil
  3. Change the water every few days (if using water)
  4. Roots and new rhizomes will form in 2-3 months
  5. Once roots are established, plant in soil

Method 3: Leaf cuttings (slowest but fun)

  1. Cut a healthy leaf near the base
  2. Let it dry for a day
  3. Plant the cut end in moist soil
  4. Water lightly
  5. A new rhizome and stem will form in 4-6 months

Pro tip: ZZ plant propagation is slow. Don’t expect instant results. But it works.

Common Problems

Yellow stems or leaves: Overwatering. Let the soil dry out completely and reduce watering frequency.

Brown leaf tips: Low humidity, tap water with fluoride, or inconsistent watering. Use filtered water if your tap water is heavily treated.

Stems falling over: Overwatering, poor drainage, or the plant needs repotting (rhizomes are too cramped).

Slow growth: This is normal. ZZ plants are slow growers. If you want faster growth, give them brighter light and fertilize in spring/summer.

No new growth: The plant might be dormant (normal in winter), or it needs more light or fertilizer.

Pests: ZZ plants rarely get pests, but occasionally spider mites or mealybugs show up. Wipe leaves with insecticidal soap or neem oil.

Varieties Worth Trying

There are a few ZZ plant varieties with different looks:

Zamioculcas zamiifolia (standard ZZ): Classic glossy green leaves. The most common variety.

ZZ Raven (Zamioculcas zamiifolia ‘Raven’): Dark purple-black leaves. New growth starts green and darkens over time. Stunning and dramatic.

ZZ Zenzi (Zamioculcas zamiifolia ‘Zenzi’): Compact variety with shorter stems and smaller leaves. Great for small spaces.

Variegated ZZ: Rare and expensive. Leaves have cream or white variegation. Slower-growing than standard ZZ.

Is the ZZ Plant Toxic?

Yes. ZZ plants contain calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause irritation if ingested.

Symptoms if eaten:

  • Mouth and throat irritation
  • Drooling
  • Difficulty swallowing

Is it deadly? No. It’s mildly toxic, not fatal. But keep it away from pets and small children who might chew on it.

Pro tip: Wash your hands after handling ZZ plants, especially when propagating or repotting. The sap can irritate skin.

Why I Love ZZ Plants

I have three ZZ plants. One in my living room, one in my bedroom, and one in a windowless hallway.

They all look great. I water them every few weeks. I forget about them most of the time. They don’t care.

My kids have knocked them over. I’ve forgotten to water them for a month. I’ve left them in dark corners. They just keep growing.

That’s the beauty of ZZ plants. They don’t need constant attention. They don’t drop leaves if you move them. They don’t get pests. They just sit there, looking glossy and healthy, asking for almost nothing.

Perfect for busy parents, forgetful plant owners, or anyone who wants a plant that doesn’t require daily maintenance.

The Bottom Line

If you want a plant that:

  • Survives extreme neglect
  • Tolerates low light
  • Needs watering once a month (or less)
  • Looks modern and clean
  • Requires zero maintenance

Get a ZZ plant.

Put it in a pot with drainage holes. Use well-draining soil. Water it every few weeks. Ignore it the rest of the time.

If you follow those basic rules, you’ll have a thriving ZZ plant for years.

And if you somehow manage to kill it, maybe plants just aren’t your thing. And that’s okay.

(But seriously, try a ZZ plant first. They’re as close to unkillable as plants get.)

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