ZZ Plant is the best hard-to-kill housewarming plant

If ever there was the perfect plant for the ultimate brown thumb, the easy ZZ plant is it. This virtually indestructible houseplant can take months and months of neglect and low light and still look amazing.

The botanical name of the ZZ plant is Zamioculcas zamiifolia, because that is a bit of a tongue twister most people know it as the ZZ plant.

You only need to water this plant when the soil has completely dried out. The rare way you can kill this plant is to overwater it!

It can survive months without water but will grow faster if watered somewhat regularly.

The ZZ Plant is my favourite housewarming present to gift. I always add a Plant Profile to the plant so the new owners understand how to look after it.

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Light

It thrives in medium to bright indirect light but can tolerate low indirect light. It’s not suited for intense, direct sun.

Water

Water your ZZ every 2 to 3 weeks, allowing the soil to dry out between watering. Expect to water more often in brighter light and less often in lower light.

Fertiliser

ZZ plants are happy without fertilizer, but if you would like, you can give the plants half-strength fertilizer one to two times a year and only in the summer months.

Sad ZZ Plant Signs

Wilting plant, dry potting mix: Thirsty plant, under-watered

Wrinkled leaves: Thirsty plant, under-watered

Yellowing and becoming mushy, wet potting mix: Root rot, overwatered

WARNING!

ZZ plants are toxic to both pets and humans. They can cause skin and eye irritation with direct contact and if eaten can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

The solution is to:

Don’t eat the leaves or ingest the sap
Wash your hands after handling the plant
Keep it out of reach from children and pets.

Note: My ZZ Plant has been sitting next to me in my office on a shelf for over two years. It has been thriving on neglect and I have never experienced an issue with this luscious plant.