Plant care
ZZ plant (Zanzibar gem) care
Zamioculcas zamiifolia
Also called Zanzibar gem, eternity plant.
Light
ZZ plant is one of the rare houseplants that genuinely tolerates low-light corners. Low to medium indirect light. Bright indirect light produces faster growth but the plant happily survives in genuinely dim corners. Watch for a few telltale signs that even a low-light plant has been pushed too far: slow or stalled growth, pale or stretched stems, and a soil that stays wet for far longer than it should because the plant simply is not transpiring much.
Watering
Water zz plant when the soil is completely dry, every 2-3 weeks. Succulents and succulent-like plants store enough water in their stems and leaves that they would rather be slightly thirsty than slightly soggy — and the most common way to kill one is by watering on a fixed weekly calendar instead of by feel. ZZ stores enough water in its rhizomes to skip a watering or two without complaint. Overwatering is the only common way to kill one.
Soil and pot
ZZ plant grows best in free-draining cactus or houseplant mix. Standard potting compost cut with 30% perlite. A terracotta pot with a drainage hole is ideal. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.
Humidity and temperature
ZZ plant sits happiest at around 30-50% humidity and 18-26°C (65-80°F). Tolerates dry household air without issue. If you keep the room above 18 year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.
Fertilising
Feed zz plant sparingly. Half-strength balanced liquid feed every 6-8 weeks during the growing season. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.
Common problems
Below are the issues we see most often on zz plant in the Growli community. Where a problem matches one of our diagnostic guides, click through for the full step-by-step recovery plan written for zz plant specifically.
- Yellow leaflets — Almost always overwatering.
- Mushy stems at the base — Root rot from too-wet soil; salvage firm rhizomes only.
- No new growth — Normal in low light or winter; otherwise check the roots.
- Drooping stems — Underwatering after a long dry spell; soak thoroughly.
Companion plants
ZZ plant pairs well with Snake plant, Cast iron plant, and Pothos. These are species with similar light and water needs, so you can group them in the same room or on the same shelf and water as a batch.
Propagation
Divide the rhizome at repotting, or root a single leaflet in water — patience required, as new rhizomes take 3-6 months. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.
Toxicity to pets
ZZ plant is mildly toxic to pets. ASPCA lists Zamioculcas zamiifolia as toxic to cats and dogs due to insoluble calcium oxalates. Symptoms include oral irritation, drooling and vomiting. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).
Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.
ZZ plant care — frequently asked questions
What is the common name for Zamioculcas zamiifolia?
Zamioculcas zamiifolia is most commonly called ZZ plant, but it is also known as Zanzibar gem, eternity plant. The names refer to the same species, so care instructions for ZZ plant apply identically to anything sold as Zanzibar gem.
How much light does zz plant need?
ZZ plant grows best in low light (north window or shaded room). Low to medium indirect light. Bright indirect light produces faster growth but the plant happily survives in genuinely dim corners.
How often should I water zz plant?
Water zz plant when the soil is completely dry, every 2-3 weeks. ZZ stores enough water in its rhizomes to skip a watering or two without complaint. Overwatering is the only common way to kill one. The finger-test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) beats a fixed weekly calendar because pot size, light, and season all change how fast the soil dries.
Is zz plant toxic to cats and dogs?
ZZ plant is mildly toxic to pets. ASPCA lists Zamioculcas zamiifolia as toxic to cats and dogs due to insoluble calcium oxalates. Symptoms include oral irritation, drooling and vomiting.
What USDA hardiness zone does zz plant grow in?
ZZ plant is rated for USDA zone 9-11 (indoor-only in most US homes) and RHS hardiness H1b. Outside that range, grow it as a container plant that overwinters indoors before the first hard frost.
ZZ plant deep-dive guides
Every aspect of zz plant care, each with its own calibrated guide:
- ZZ plant watering schedule
- ZZ plant light requirements
- Best soil mix for zz plant
- ZZ plant fertilizing guide
- When to repot zz plant
- How to propagate zz plant
- ZZ plant growth rate & size
- ZZ plant cold hardiness
- ZZ plant temperature & humidity
- Is zz plant toxic to cats & dogs?
Related guides
ZZ plant is also commonly called Zanzibar gem or eternity plant.
- ZZ plant care — the deep-write article with seasonal care notes
- Diagnose zz plant symptoms — yellow leaves, drooping, brown spots, and more
- Snake plant care — light, water and common problems
- Dracaena care — light, water and common problems
- Peperomia care — light, water and common problems
- All 200 plant care guides in the Growli library