ZZ Plant Care: The Complete Growing Guide (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

ZZ Plants grow best in bright, indirect light but tolerate lower-light conditions. Allow the potting mix to dry well before watering, provide good drainage, and protect the plant from cold drafts. ZZ Plants are comfortable in average household humidity and need fertilizer only while actively growing.

What makes a ZZ Plant so forgiving? Most of the answer is hiding beneath the potting mix. Thick underground rhizomes store water and nutrients, giving the plant a built-in reserve for the weeks when life gets busy and the watering can goes missing. Those reserves help a ZZ Plant coast through dry spells, but they also make continually wet potting mix one of the fastest ways to get it into trouble.

Add glossy leaflets, an upright architectural shape, and varieties with foliage that changes color as it matures, and this famously durable plant becomes far more interesting than its reputation suggests.

ZZ Plant Care at a Glance

Care factor	What ZZ Plants need
Light	Bright, indirect light for best growth; tolerates medium and lower light
Water	Allow more than half of the potting mix to dry before watering traditionally
Potting mix	Loose, well-draining houseplant potting mix
Temperature	Average household temperatures; protect from cold drafts
Humidity	Average household humidity
Fertilizer	Feed during active growth according to the product directions
Growth habit	Upright, clumping growth that emerges from underground rhizomes
Pruning	Remove declining or badly damaged leaves near the base
Pet safety	Not considered pet-friendly
Difficulty level	Easy-care

What Is a ZZ Plant?

ZZ Plant is the common name for Zamioculcas zamiifolia, a tropical plant with thick, glossy leaflets and a clean, upright form. It grows slowly from underground rhizomes that store water and nutrients.

The name "ZZ" comes from the first letters of the botanical name, which is helpful because Zamioculcas zamiifolia is a lot to spit out in casual conversation.

Although each upright shoot looks like a stem lined with individual leaves, the entire structure is technically one compound leaf. The small, glossy sections arranged along it are leaflets. New leaves emerge from the rhizomes as tightly furled spears, then slowly unfurl and harden as they mature.

ZZ Plant belongs to the aroid family, making it a relative of Anthurium, Monstera, Philodendron, Peace Lily, and Pothos. It does not resemble the familiar broad-leaved or vining members of that group, though. ZZ Plant grows upright, stores water underground, and seems perfectly content to take its time with the whole growing thing.

In our growing houses in Miami, we've watched ZZ Plant sail through missed waterings that would leave most other houseplants wilted on the bench — a good preview of how it behaves once it gets to your home.

Good to Know Those potato-like structures beneath the potting mix are called rhizomes. They store water and nutrients, produce roots, and send up new leaves. As the plant matures, the rhizomes multiply and form a dense underground network.

Think of the rhizomes as the plant's emergency pantry. They give ZZ Plant a reserve to draw from during dry periods, but they are not designed to sit indefinitely in saturated potting mix.

Which ZZ Plant Variety Is Right for Your Space? 

ZZ Plants share the same basic care needs, but their foliage color can create fun and different looks. Classic green ZZ offers deep, glossy foliage. Chameleon ZZ begins with golden-yellow new growth. ZZEverlasting™ takes new leaves from vivid lime green to near-black as they mature.

If you want...	Look for...	Variety
The classic glossy-green look	Deep green leaflets and a clean, upright form	Classic Green ZZ
Golden new growth	Bright yellow-green leaves that mature to mid- or dark green	Chameleon ZZ
Dramatic light-to-dark contrast	Lime-green new growth that deepens to dark green and near-black	ZZEverlasting™

Classic Green ZZ 

Classic Green ZZ shows off symmetrical, glossy green leaflets arranged along upright, gently arching leaves. Its deep color and sculptural form make it an easy fit for homes and offices, whether the surrounding style is modern, traditional, or somewhere comfortably in between.

A mature classic ZZ Plant can reach approximately 2 to 3 feet tall and wide indoors. Growth is naturally slow, especially in lower-light conditions.

Chameleon ZZ

Chameleon ZZ (Zamioculcas zamiifolia 'Chameleon') earns its name with foliage that changes color as it matures. New growth emerges bright golden yellow to chartreuse, then gradually deepens to green.

Because the changing color appears on new growth, brighter indirect light helps the plant grow more actively and produce more of the golden foliage that makes the variety distinctive. Chameleon tolerates lower light, but it grows much more slowly there.

Chameleon ZZ is protected by U.S. Plant Patent No. 32,253P3, so unauthorized propagation is prohibited.

ZZEverlasting™

ZZEverlasting™ (Zamioculcas zamiifolia 'TVZAMBL1') is a color-shifting ZZ Plant with new growth that emerges vivid lime green before gradually deepening to rich dark green and near-black. Because leaves mature at different times, one plant can display striking light-to-dark contrast as it grows.

Its upright, architectural form works well on desks, shelves, side tables, and plant stands. Bright, indirect light supports the best growth and strongest foliage contrast. ZZEverlasting™ also tolerates medium to low indirect light, but it may grow more slowly. It typically matures to approximately 24 to 36 inches tall and 18 to 24 inches wide indoors.

ZZEverlasting™ is protected by U.S. Plant Patent No. 33,531P2, so unauthorized propagation is prohibited.

How Much Light Does a ZZ Plant Need?

ZZ Plants grow best in bright, indirect light. They tolerate lower-light conditions better than many houseplants, but lower light generally means slower growth.

Position the plant near a window where it receives useful natural light without hours of intense direct sun. An unobstructed east- or west-facing window can provide good growing conditions — though trees, curtains, roof overhangs, nearby buildings, and even the distance from the glass all quietly chip away at how much light actually reaches the plant.

ZZ Plants can also grow under artificial plant lights. The plant doesn't much care whether its light comes from a window or a fixture — only whether enough usable light is reaching the leaves. Follow the directions for the particular light, including the recommended distance between the fixture and the foliage.

Varieties with dramatic new growth benefit especially from brighter conditions. Chameleon produces its golden color on developing leaves, while ZZEverlasting™ creates its strongest contrast as lime-green new growth matures through deeper shades. Lower light does not erase those characteristics, but it may reduce how frequently the plant produces new leaves.

Can a ZZ Plant Grow in Low Light?

Yes, a ZZ Plant can tolerate lower-light conditions, but growth may become extremely slow. Low-light tolerant does not mean the plant can live indefinitely without useful natural or artificial light.

A ZZ Plant in lower light may hold its existing foliage for a long time without producing much visible change. That doesn't necessarily mean something is wrong — the plant may simply be operating in energy-saving mode.

Move the plant toward brighter, indirect light if you want more active growth. Make the change gradually so the foliage can adjust.

 

How Often Should You Water a ZZ Plant?

Water a ZZ Plant after more than half of the potting mix has dried. Check the mix rather than watering on a rigid schedule because light, temperature, season, container size, root development, and indoor conditions all affect how quickly the plant uses moisture.

The plant's rhizomes store water for dry periods. That reserve is one reason ZZ Plant handles an occasional missed watering so well, but it is not an invitation to keep topping off the tank. Give the roots and rhizomes a steady diet of soggy mix, and you're cutting off the air they need to function — the setup for decay rather than growth.

When watering a ZZ Plant in a standard grower pot:

• Check the potting mix below the surface.
• Water slowly and evenly across the mix.
• Add enough water to moisten the root zone.
• Allow excess water to drain from the container.
• Empty any water collected in the saucer or decorative pot.
• Let more than half of the mix dry before watering again.

A ZZ Plant growing in brighter light may use water more quickly than one in lower light. A large, established plant may also dry at a different rate from a small plant with a limited root system. The calendar can remind you to check the plant, but it cannot tell you that the plant needs water.

Quick Tip Push a clean, unfinished wooden chopstick or bamboo skewer several inches into the potting mix, avoiding major roots and rhizomes when possible. If it comes out clean and dry, the mix at that depth is dry. If it appears darkened, feels damp, or has potting mix clinging to it, wait before watering.

Check more than one location in a large container because the potting mix may not dry evenly.

How Do You Water a ZZ Plant in a Self-Watering Planter?

If your ZZ Plant comes in a Wick & Grow® planter, follow the instructions for that system rather than watering it like a standard grower pot.

Traditional watering and self-watering systems play by different rules. Water it conventionally, and the whole root zone gets wet at once, then dries out gradually until the next watering. In a properly used self-watering system, that pattern works differently: the grower pot sits above the reservoir, and a wick quietly pulls up moisture as the plant uses it, providing a gradual supply rather than wetting the entire root zone from the top at once.

Keep the grower pot above the water and do not overfill the reservoir. Use the water-level window or indicator when one is provided, and refill according to the planter instructions.

See how the Costa Farms self-watering system works.

 

What Potting Mix Is Best for ZZ Plants?

ZZ Plants grow best in a loose, well-draining potting mix that holds some moisture without staying saturated around the roots and rhizomes.

A quality houseplant potting mix works well here, as long as it's paired with a container that actually lets excess water drain. If the mix in your conditions stays wet for an extended period, the fix is better drainage and aeration — not a bigger pot. A larger container adds more potting mix that can hold moisture around roots that have not grown into it yet.

You can also use a well-draining potting mix formulated for cacti and succulents with some moisture-retaining material added, or amend a general houseplant mix with perlite. A straight cactus or succulent mix may dry considerably faster, so check the moisture rather than assuming every mix will behave alike. Cactus and succulent potting mixes, even when amended, are not recommended for use with a self-watering planter.

Avoid garden soil and do not compress the potting mix tightly around the roots. Dense material may drain slowly and reduce the air spaces around the root system.

The container matters too. If you want to display the plant in a decorative pot without drainage, keep it in a plastic grower pot placed inside the decorative container. Remove the grower pot with the plant inside to water, allow it to drain fully, and empty any water collected below it before returning the plant to the decorative pot.

When Should You Repot a ZZ Plant?

Repot a ZZ Plant when the roots and rhizomes have filled the container, the plant has become unstable, expanding rhizomes have distorted the pot, or the potting mix no longer drains or absorbs water normally.

ZZ Plants grow slowly and do not need frequent repotting. They generally tolerate a snug container, but expanding rhizomes can eventually press firmly against the sides or change the shape of a flexible pot.

Signs that it may be time to repot include:

• Roots growing densely through the drainage holes
• Rhizomes pressing against or distorting the shape of the container
• The plant becoming top-heavy or unstable
• Water moving through the pot unusually quickly
• Potting mix that has broken down or become compacted
• Potting mix that remains wet much longer than expected
• Several natural clusters you want to divide

Choose a new container only slightly larger than the current one. A pot approximately 1 to 2 inches wider in diameter provides additional room without surrounding the established root system with a large volume of unused mix.

More potting mix holds more water, and the plant can't draw on moisture its roots haven't reached yet — so an oversized container just leaves the root zone wet longer than the plant actually needs.

How Do You Repot a ZZ Plant, Step by Step?

• Choose a clean container with drainage that is slightly larger than the current pot.
• Slide the plant carefully from its container.
• Examine the roots and rhizomes.
• Remove loose or exhausted potting mix without tearing apart healthy roots unnecessarily.
• Trim only roots or rhizomes that are clearly soft, decaying, or badly damaged.
• Separate natural divisions now if you are propagating an unpatented ZZ Plant.
• Position the plant at approximately the same depth at which it previously grew.
• Fill around the roots with fresh, well-draining potting mix.
• Settle the plant in place without packing the mix tightly.
• Water according to the moisture already present in the new mix and allow any excess to drain.

Do not bury the rhizomes deeper than they were growing before. Maintain approximately the same planting depth to avoid holding unnecessary moisture around the base of the plant.

[Image sequence: ZZ Plant leaving its pot, exposed rhizomes, divided clusters, and completed repotting.]

Learn more about repotting houseplants: Video.

Learn more about repotting houseplants: Blog.

Does a ZZ Plant Need Fertilizer?

ZZ Plants aren't heavy feeders, but a little fertilizer during active growth gives new leaves some extra support. Use a fertilizer formulated for houseplants and follow the package directions.

Time-release fertilizer pellets are a convenient choice because they supply nutrients gradually over an extended period. Water-soluble fertilizer can also be used when mixed and applied according to its label.

Do not exceed the recommended amount. Excess fertilizer can damage roots and contribute to mineral salts accumulating in the potting mix.

Fertilizer supports growth, but it cannot correct inadequate light, damaged rhizomes, poor drainage, or an unsuitable watering routine. If the plant is stressed or not actively growing, correct the underlying problem before feeding it.

Quick Tip The dramatic colors on Chameleon ZZ and ZZEverlasting™ appear on new growth. Fertilizer can support active growth when the plant already has suitable light and healthy roots, but it is not a color switch. Start with the growing conditions before reaching for the fertilizer.

What Temperature and Humidity Do ZZ Plants Prefer?

ZZ Plants settle comfortably into the temperatures and humidity most homes already offer. Protect them from cold drafts, abrupt temperature changes, and the direct path of heating or air-conditioning vents.

Average household humidity is plenty — ZZ Plant isn't asking for a rainforest. Skip the misting routine and the humidifier; light, healthy roots, and thoughtful watering do far more for this plant than any amount of humidity in the air around the leaves.

Keep the plant above 55°F for long-term health, with warmer household temperatures generally supporting more active growth. A ZZ Plant exposed to chilly conditions may slow down, develop damaged tissue, or become more vulnerable to problems in wet potting mix.

How Do You Clean and Prune a ZZ Plant?

Wipe dusty ZZ leaflets with a soft, damp cloth, and remove fully declining or badly damaged leaves near the base with a clean, sharp tool.

The plant's naturally glossy finish can make dust easy to see. Support the leaf gently with one hand while wiping the leaflets with the other. Cleaning both surfaces gives you a chance to inspect for insects, webbing, discoloration, or physical damage.

Avoid leaf-shine products. Clean water and a soft cloth are usually all the foliage needs.

ZZ Plants rarely need pruning for shape. What looks like an upright stem is part of a compound leaf, and cutting it shorter will not cause it to branch like a Money Tree. If an entire leaf is yellow, damaged, soft, or declining, remove it near the potting mix with clean scissors or pruning shears.

New growth comes from the underground rhizomes rather than branching from the cut portion of an old leaf. The action is underground first, visible later.

How Do You Propagate a ZZ Plant?

Unpatented ZZ Plants can be propagated by division or from leaf cuttings. Division is the faster route, since each division already comes with established roots and rhizomes attached. Leaf cuttings can also produce a new plant, but they have to build a root system and a new rhizome from scratch first, so the process runs considerably slower.

Do not propagate patented varieties without permission. Chameleon ZZ and ZZEverlasting™ are protected by plant patents, and unauthorized propagation is prohibited.

How Do You Propagate a ZZ Plant by Division?

• Remove an unpatented ZZ Plant carefully from its container.
• Gently loosen enough potting mix to see the natural plant clusters.
• Identify connected groups with healthy rhizomes, roots, and leaves.
• Separate the clusters by hand when they come apart easily, or use a clean, sharp tool to divide the connecting rhizomes.
• Make sure each division retains healthy rhizome and root tissue.
• Place each division in an appropriately sized container with drainage.
• Fill around the roots with fresh, well-draining potting mix.
• Maintain approximately the same planting depth.
• Water as appropriate for the moisture already present in the new mix.
• Return the divisions to bright, indirect light.

Division may temporarily leave the plants looking smaller, but each one begins with the underground equipment needed to support continued growth.

Can You Propagate a ZZ Plant From a Leaf?

Yes. An unpatented ZZ Plant can be propagated from individual leaflets, but the process is slow. A leaflet must first produce roots and begin forming a new rhizome before it can send up visible foliage.

To propagate an unpatented ZZ Plant from leaflets, root the cutting in water or insert it directly into potting mix:

• Select a healthy, mature leaf.
• Remove several firm leaflets with a clean, sharp tool.
• Allow the cut ends to dry to the touch.
• To root in water: Place the base of each leaflet in a small container of room-temperature water, keeping the cut end submerged and the leaflet itself above the surface. Change the water regularly, and transfer the leaflet to potting mix once roots and a small rhizome have developed.
• To root in potting mix: Insert the base of each leaflet directly into a small container of well-draining potting mix, and keep the mix lightly moist but never saturated.
• Keep the container in bright, indirect light.
• Keep the mix lightly moist but never saturated.
• Wait for roots and small rhizomes to develop.
• Continue caring for the cutting until new growth appears.

ZZ leaf propagation can take months or longer. The original leaflet may sit quietly above the potting mix while the real work happens underneath. This is not a failed experiment. It is simply ZZ Plant moving at ZZ Plant speed.

Common ZZ Plant Problems and What They Mean 

One yellow leaflet or one leaning leaf isn't a diagnosis on its own. Check the potting mix, drainage, roots, rhizomes, light, and the overall pattern of damage before changing anything about the plant's care.

ZZ Plant symptom	Possible causes	What to check
Yellow leaves	Potting mix remaining wet too long, root or rhizome stress, natural aging	Moisture, drainage, roots, and rhizomes
Soft leaf base	Moisture-related decay	Rhizomes, roots, and standing water
Wrinkled stalks or leaflets	Prolonged dryness or damaged roots	Moisture throughout the pot and root condition
Leaflet drop	Severe dryness, root stress, or environmental change	Potting mix, roots, and recent care changes
Brown tips	Physical damage, inconsistent moisture, mineral accumulation, or environmental stress	Overall damage pattern and recent care
Slow or no growth	Lower light, cool conditions, natural seasonal slowing, or ZZ Plant's normal pace	Available light and overall plant health
Faded or disappointing new color	Lower light or normal color development	Variety, age of the growth, and available light
Webbing or small insects	Possible pest activity	Leaflets, leaf bases, nearby plants, and new growth

Why Is My ZZ Plant Turning Yellow?

Yellow ZZ Plant leaves often indicate that the root zone has remained wet too long, especially when the affected leaf also feels soft or the rhizomes have begun to deteriorate.

Check the moisture below the surface and confirm that the container drains. If the grower pot sits inside a decorative container, look for water collected underneath it.

If the plant continues declining in wet potting mix, remove it carefully and inspect the roots and rhizomes. Healthy rhizomes should feel firm. Soft, mushy, hollow, or foul-smelling tissue points to decay.

One older outer leaf may eventually yellow and decline as part of the plant's natural growth cycle. One aging leaf is different from several leaves yellowing at once.

Learn More: How to Save an Overwatered Plant: Root Rot Rescue.

Why Is My ZZ Plant Soft or Mushy?

A soft base or mushy rhizomes are signs that the root zone has been sitting in more moisture than it can handle for too long. Stop watering and check whether the potting mix is saturated, the container lacks drainage, or the grower pot is sitting in collected water.

Slide the plant from its pot if the condition continues. Healthy roots and rhizomes should feel firm and remain structurally intact. Remove badly damaged tissue with a clean, sharp tool, replace wet or degraded potting mix, and correct the drainage or watering issue before repotting what remains of the healthy plant.

Do not add water simply because the leaves look limp. Damaged roots can leave a plant looking dehydrated even while the potting mix remains wet.

Why Is My ZZ Plant Wrinkled or Dropping Leaflets?

Wrinkled stalks or leaflet drop may appear after the potting mix has remained dry for an extended period. In severe drought, ZZ Plant may shed leaflets to reduce water loss and conserve the moisture stored in its rhizomes.

Check the potting mix throughout the container rather than judging only by the surface. If the mix is dry and the roots and rhizomes remain firm, water thoroughly and allow the excess to drain.

If the mix is wet, inspect the roots before adding more water. Damaged roots may be unable to supply the foliage even when moisture surrounds them.

Why Is My ZZ Plant Not Growing?

ZZ Plants grow slowly, and their growth can become extremely limited in lower light or cooler conditions. A healthy plant may go for a considerable period without producing a new leaf.

Much of the machinery behind new growth is underground. The plant may be developing roots and rhizomes before sending up a spear that you can see.

If the plant has not grown for a long time, check:

• Whether it receives useful natural or artificial light
• Whether the potting mix dries normally
• Whether the roots and rhizomes remain firm
• Whether the container is dramatically oversized
• Whether temperatures are warm enough to support active growth
• Whether the plant is otherwise holding its existing foliage well

Move the plant into brighter, indirect light if faster growth is the goal. Do not use additional fertilizer as the first response when light or root health may be limiting growth.

Are ZZ Plants Safe for Cats and Dogs?

No. ZZ Plants are not considered pet-friendly and should not be eaten by cats, dogs, or people.

Keep them out of reach of pets and children who may chew the foliage. If you believe a pet has eaten part of a ZZ Plant, contact a veterinarian or animal poison-control service for guidance.

When handling cut or damaged plant tissue, avoid contact with the sap if you have sensitive skin and wash your hands afterward.

This plant may have some natural degree of toxicity and may cause discomfort or illness if ingested. Additionally, exposure to the sap of this plant may cause discomfort to individuals with a sensitivity to it upon contact. Grown for ornamental purposes and not intended for human or animal consumption.

Find pet-friendly houseplants.

Can ZZ Plants Grow Outdoors?

ZZ Plants can spend warm weather outdoors in a shaded or protected location. Acclimate them gradually rather than moving them directly from an indoor location into any direct sun.

Begin in full shade, then slowly introduce brighter filtered or dappled light if desired. Protect the plant from strong winds and prolonged heavy rain, which can saturate the potting mix.

Outdoor conditions can change how quickly the plant uses water. Heat and wind may speed drying, while repeated rainfall may keep the root zone wet. Check the potting mix instead of assuming that outdoor plants need daily watering.

Bring the plant back indoors before nighttime temperatures fall below 55°F. Inspect the leaflets, stems, container, and potting mix for pests before placing it near the rest of the indoor collection.

In USDA Hardiness Zones 9b through 11, where winter temperatures rarely or never dip below freezing, a ZZ Plant can be grown directly in the landscape as a permanent outdoor perennial rather than a seasonal patio plant. Outside that range, even a brief frost can severely damage or kill the plant, so landscape use should be limited to areas with consistently mild, frost-free winters. To find your local cold hardiness zone, simply enter your zip code into an internet search along with the words "cold hardiness zone."

Find Your ZZ Plant

Classic green, golden, or changing from lime to near-black, ZZ Plants prove that easy-care does not have to mean ordinary. Choose the variety that fits your space, give it useful light, and let those underground rhizomes handle a little of life's unpredictability.

Shop ZZ Plants Online

ZZ Plant

Chameleon

ZZEverlasting™