ZZ Plant #1
Zamioculcas zamiifolia
#1 of 2 you own
Toxic to pets☀ Low–bright indirectEasy care
Check in 2 days· Jul 15
Water only when soil is nearly or completely dry.
Every 14 daysLast watered: 2026-07-01
This is a soil-check date, not an automatic watering date.
Overview
- Summary, origin & habitat
- A slow-growing rhizomatous aroid from tropical Africa. Its thick underground rhizomes and fleshy petioles store water, making it a favored low-light interiorscape plant.
- Interesting facts
- The visible “stems” are actually thick leaf petioles emerging from underground rhizomes.
- Name story
- Zamioculcas means the plant resembles Zamia, an unrelated cycad. Zamiifolia means “with leaves like Zamia.” “Eternity plant” reflects its long-lived, resilient character.
- History & legends
- Known botanically for many years but became especially popular through modern interiorscaping because of its reputation for surviving neglect.
Care
- Light
- Low to bright indirect light. Avoid prolonged harsh direct sun.
- Temperature
- 65–80°F (18–27°C); avoid temperatures below about 55–60°F.
- Watering
- Water only when soil is nearly or completely dry.
- Fertilizing
- Feed once or twice in spring–summer at ½ strength. Skip fertilizer in winter.
- Toughness
- High
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Maintenance
- Low
- Maintenance notes
- Tolerates low light and missed watering. Let the mix dry substantially and avoid oversized pots.
Growth & flowers
- Mature height
- 2–4 ft
- Mature spread
- 2–4 ft
- Leaf colors
- Glossy deep green; new growth is lighter green.
- Leaf type / form
- Pinnately compound leaves with thick petioles and smooth, leathery oval leaflets.
- Best planting / repotting time
- Best divided or repotted in spring to early summer.
- Bloom time
- Rare indoors; irregular during active warm-season growth.
- Flower color
- Cream, pale green and white spadix partly enclosed by a green spathe.
Safety
- Toxic if eaten?
- Yes
- Who is affected
- People, cats and dogs
- Possible effects
- Calcium oxalate can cause mouth irritation; larger ingestions may cause vomiting or diarrhea.
A safety guide, not medical or veterinary advice. “Non-toxic” does not mean edible — even non-toxic plants can cause stomach upset. For a person, contact Poison Control; for a pet, a veterinarian.
Tips
- Pruning
- Cut yellow or damaged stalks at the soil line. Do not shorten healthy stalks because they will not branch from the cut.
- Propagation
- Division of rhizomes is easiest. Individual leaflets or stem sections can root, but the process may take many months.
- Repotting
- Repot every 2–3 years or when rhizomes distort the pot. Use a container only slightly larger than the root mass.
Ecology
- Adaptation strategy
- Water-storing rhizomes and petioles buffer long dry periods. Glossy, leathery leaflets reduce moisture loss, and the plant can slow growth substantially under low light.
- Ecological application
- Best as a low-light indoor specimen or drought-tolerant container plant. It has limited wildlife value as an indoor ornamental.