Plant Library
ZZ Plant Care Guide
Zamioculcas zamiifolia
By the Plantshop.com Editorial Team · Updated · How we research · Report an error
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Glossy, upright stems grow from water-storing rhizomes, which is why the ZZ plant shrugs off neglect, low light and dry air.
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Plant profile
- Light
- Low to bright indirect light
- Water
- When soil is fully dry, every 2-4 weeks
- Humidity
- Low to average
- Pets
- Toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA) [ASPCA]
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Size
- 2-3 ft
- Growth
- Slow
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Watch a care walkthrough
Optional video. Written steps above still cover light, water and problems.
Video: ZZ Plant Care: Are They REALLY Low Maintenance? · Sprouts and Stems on YouTube · reviewed 2026-11-06. Loads from YouTube only after you press play.
Light
Low to bright indirect light. Rotate the pot every few weeks so growth stays even.
Water
When soil is fully dry, every 2-4 weeks. Always use a pot with drainage holes and empty the saucer after watering. Plants use far less water in winter.
Humidity and temperature
Humidity: low to average. Most houseplants prefer 60-80°F (16-27°C) and dislike cold drafts and heating vents.
Soil and feeding
Use a well-draining potting mix with extra grit or perlite. Feed lightly in spring and summer with a balanced houseplant fertilizer at half strength; skip feeding in winter.
Our tip
Overwatering is the only reliable way to kill it. When in doubt, wait a week.
Common problems
- Yellow stems: Overwatering; let it dry out fully.
- Leaning stems: Reaching for light; rotate the pot.
- Wrinkled stems: Severe underwatering.
Pets
Toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA), according to the ASPCA plant list. If a pet chews it and shows symptoms, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Check any plant in our Pet-Safe Plant Checker.
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Free download
Free 12-month plant care calendar
Keeping a zz plant happy all year? Get our free month-by-month calendar: when to water less, when to feed, when to repot, and the seasonal notes for all 71 plants in our library.
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Recommended book
How Not to Kill Your Houseplant (New Edition)
by Veronica Peerless
Survival tips for the “horticulturally challenged”, covering 119 popular houseplants. A good first book.
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