ZZ Plant
The ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is one of the toughest, most low-maintenance houseplants you can own. Native to East Africa's alternating wet and dry climate, it stores water in thick rhizomes and glossy leaves, so it shrugs off low light, drought, and neglect.
Care basics
- Light: Tolerates very low light, but grows best in bright, indirect light. Keep it out of direct, harsh afternoon sun, which can burn the leaves.
- Water: Let the soil dry out completely between waterings, then water thoroughly. It's very drought tolerant; too much water is what kills it.
- Soil: Any well-drained potting mix.
- Temperature: Warm, tropical temperatures (roughly 65–90°F); bring it inside before it drops below about 60°F.
- Fertilizer: A slow-growing plant — a light feed once or twice a year is enough.
The 3 most common problems
1. Root rot from overwatering
ZZ plants rot if the roots sit in wet, poorly drained soil. This is the most common way people kill them — they water far too often. Fix: Let the soil dry completely between waterings, use a well-drained mix and a pot with drainage, and don't let it sit in water. See our root rot guide.
2. Leaf drop
ZZ plants may drop leaflets if they're kept too wet or underwatered for a long stretch. Its rhizomes are built to tide it over during drought, but prolonged water problems cause leaflet loss. Fix: Water on the dry side, thoroughly when you do, and avoid extremes. See our leaf drop guide.
3. Scalded or brown leaves from direct sun
Too much strong, direct sunlight can scald and brown the leaves. Fix: Move it to a spot with bright, indirect light, out of harsh sun.
ZZ plants have few pest or disease problems, making them one of the easiest houseplants around.
A few extra tips
ZZ plants grow slowly and are easy to propagate — from leaf cuttings or by division of the rhizomes — which makes them great pass-along plants. Because they store water so well in their thick roots and stems, the most common mistake is overwatering: when in doubt, let it dry out rather than water again. They're one of the best choices for low-light rooms and for busy schedules, since they bounce back from neglect far better than they recover from wet soil.
ZZ plant at a glance
- Light: tolerates very low light; best in bright, indirect light
- Water: let the soil dry completely between waterings — it's very drought tolerant
- Soil: any well-drained potting mix
- Watch for: root rot from overwatering (the number one killer), leaf drop, and scalded leaves in direct, harsh sun
The ZZ plant is one of the most forgiving houseplants you can own. It thrives on neglect, tolerates low light, and only really runs into trouble when it's watered too often — so when in doubt, let it dry. Few plants are as easy or as happy in low light, which is why the ZZ is such a favorite for offices and busy homes.