The lush leaves of the ZZ plant stay fresh even when left for weeks without water
(Picture: ALAMY IMAGES)Known for being indestructible, Zamioculcas zamiifolia, or the ZZ plant, is a great way to start your houseplant collection.
Endemic to East Africa, the ZZ thrives in arid conditions. If underwatering your houseplants is your weak point but you prefer the rainforest style to cacti and succulents, this is the plant for you.
How to look after Zamioculcas zamiifolia
ZZ Plants are pretty fuss free, but there are a few things to remember in order to keep them happy.
Firstly, they have an amazing tolerance for neglect. They have evolved to survive extended time with very little water. The leaves, stems and fleshy roots all hold massive reserves of water. Whilst the plant might look a bit like a palm, you should water it the same way you would a cactus.
Allow the compost to dry out between watering in summer, and in winter, only water once or twice. If the roots are too wet, especially when it’s colder in the winter, they very quickly begin to rot. By the time you notice, it’s often too late. Always water the plant in the sink or the bath, and let the excess water drain away.
Position your ZZ in part of your home with bright, indirect light for the best results. They will tolerate time in a darker corner, but after a few months, desperate for more light, they will start to suffer.
Propagating Zamioculcas zamiifolia
ZZ plants are just as easy to propagate as they are to care for. The most important thing you will need is patience, it’s a slow process.
You can propagate your ZZ by taking leaf cuttings. You’ll need a shallow glass or jar, some free draining compost (a mix of 2 parts peat-free multipurpose compost, 1 part sand and 1 part grit is ideal). Using scissors, cut a few oval ‘leaflets’ from the main stem of the plant.
Where you make the cut doesn’t matter, but it's always best to take a few, sometimes not every cutting will be successful.
Place the cuttings in a glass of water. About a quarter of the leaf should be submerged, keep checking the water level and don’t let the water evaporate completely.
Place them on a bright windowsill that doesn’t get the sun all day - an east facing window that gets sun in the morning is ideal. After a few months, you will start to see roots forming. When these roots are 2-3cm long you can plant the cuttings into compost.
Keep them in the same location and water only once the surface has dried out. If any of your leaves start to decay before they have made roots, remove them and stick them in the food waste or compost. The rooted leaflets might take up to a year to produce new stems, but the wait will be worth it.
However, if you haven’t got the patience, larger ZZ plants can easily be divided. Over a tray or some newspaper, remove the plant from the pot and gently shake off all the compost, you’ll find several potato-like structures (sadly not edible!) connected to the leaves, carefully separate and repot into smaller individual pots.
