DIG THIS
ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) may be slow-growing, but it just might be the easiest plant to keep alive.
Its thick stems allow it to store water for a long time, and its waxy leaves lock in moisture and repel dust. This easily makes a ZZ the king (or queen!) of the set-it-and-forget-it lifestyle.
If you keep it happy long enough, you might get lucky and spot its rare “corn on the cob” shaped flower. It’s subtle. It's weird. But definitely a plant parent win!
Pretty Chill
Any Light
Except Direct Sun
Keep Soil Dry
Not Pet Safe
SHADE,
PARTIAL SUN, or INDIRECT SUN
AVOID HARSH, DIRECT SUN
The ZZ plant is notorious for not being very particular about sunlight. Please note that it will be its happiest in bright, indirect sunlight!
Although it can survive in dimmer areas, if you start to notice leggy stems, it may be time to relocate.
FIND YOUR LIGHT
Take a moment to note which direction the windows face in your space. Then tap around the room below to see how the light hits throughout the day.
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SOUTH-FACING WINDOW
⊹ Highest amount of sunlight ⊹
⊹ Consistent light all day ⊹
⊹ Perfect for "full sun" plants ⊹
EAST-FACING WINDOW
⊹ Soft morning sunlight ⊹
⊹ Avoids harsh afternoon rays ⊹
⊹ Perfect for low to indirect light plants ⊹
⚠︎ May not be bright enough for "full sun" plants
WEST-FACING WINDOW
⊹ Brightest in the afternoon ⊹
⊹ Warm, golden hour glow ⊹
⊹ Great for indirect-sun lovers ⊹
⚠︎ Can overheat sensitive plants
NORTH-FACING WINDOW
⊹ No direct sunlight ⊹
⊹ Avoids harsh afternoon rays ⊹
⊹ Perfect for shade-tolerant plants ⊹
⚠︎ Can be too dim for most houseplants. If this is your only light source, consider using a grow light for your sun-loving plants!
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KEEP SOIL DRY
This is drought-tolerant plant, so you can go longer periods without watering and it will still thrive.
Let the soil completely dry out before watering. Overwatering is the most common cause for issues for a ZZ Plant. Remember, it is retaining moisture on its own, so don’t drown it!
LOW HUMIDITY
It isn’t fussy, so indoor humidity will work just fine. Try to keep moisture off its leaves if you can.
SOIL
SNAKE PLANT DIGS A DRY, FAST-DRAINING MIX
When choosing a potting mix for this houseplant, look for mixes that include:
PERLITE
PERLITE
Looks like tiny white popcorn bits mixed into the soil. Improves drainage and prevents waterlogging.
PUMICE
Looks like very tiny, gray and white pebbles. Helps prevent compact soil and improves airflow for the roots.
COARSE SAND
Looks like gritty and chunky beach sand. Like perlite, it improves drainage and prevents waterlogging.
COMMON ISSUES
YELLOW / MUSHY
Yellowing or mushy leaves is definite sign of overwatering. A ZZ Plant that has been overwatered can lead to root rot.
Remove affected leaves. Dry out soil completely (1-5 days). Adjust your watering schedule for this plant.
If problem persists and/or you suspect root rot: remove from pot, trim away dead mushy roots, and repot in fresh soil.
LEANING or LEGGY
A sign of not enough sunlight.
If you notice your plant is looking leggy and weak, try moving it to a sunnier spot.
PESTS
Sometimes issues can be the result of a pest infestation. Watch out for these creepy crawlers:
MealybugsScale
Spider Mites
