ZZ Plant Care Instructions
A note from Joey
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There is a chance your plant may show signs of stress after shipping. This is completely normal. Unbox it promptly, check the soil, and place it in bright, indirect light. Avoid repotting or moving it repeatedly while it adjusts. A few older leaves may yellow after the trip, but new growth should remain firm and green.
Quick Care Summary
ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) grows best in bright, indirect light but tolerates lower light. Its thick underground rhizomes store water, so allow the potting mix to dry completely before watering thoroughly. Give it a pot with drainage, keep it warm, and protect it from strong direct sun and soggy soil. Growth will be slower in dimmer rooms.
Light
Bright, indirect light encourages steady growth and glossy leaves. ZZ Plants can live in lower light, including spaces lit by fluorescent lights, but they will grow more slowly and use less water. Prolonged strong direct sun can scorch the foliage.
- South-facing window: Keep the plant several feet back or filter the light with a sheer curtain so strong midday sun does not rest on its leaves.
- East-facing window: Often an excellent location. Gentle morning light and bright daylight suit a ZZ Plant well.
- West-facing window: Give it bright light, but move it back from hot afternoon sun or use a sheer curtain.
- North-facing window: The plant can tolerate this lower-light exposure, especially close to a clear window. Expect slower growth and longer drying times.
Rotate the pot occasionally for even growth. If new stems stretch or lean strongly toward the window, move the plant to brighter indirect light.
Water
Check the soil after arrival. Do not water simply because the plant was shipped. Wait until the potting mix is dry all the way through.
Feel the soil deep in the pot or check several spots with a moisture meter. Once it is fully dry, water slowly and thoroughly until excess runs from the drainage holes. Empty the saucer or decorative pot afterward so the roots never sit in standing water.
Do not follow a fixed calendar schedule. Soil in low light or during winter can stay damp for much longer than soil in a bright, warm room. Yellow leaves, soft stems, or a musty potting mix may indicate excess moisture. If the plant is still damp, wait and check again later.
Soil
Use a loose, well-draining houseplant mix in a pot with drainage holes. Adding perlite or pumice can help excess water leave the pot. ZZ rhizomes do not tolerate constantly wet soil, so avoid heavy mixes that remain soggy. Always check the soil before watering.
Fertilizer
Fertilizer is optional. ZZ Plants grow slowly and can stay healthy with suitable light, drainage, and watering.
If desired, use a balanced houseplant fertilizer once or twice during spring and summer while the plant is actively growing. Wait until the plant has settled after shipping, and introduce fertilizer gradually:
- First application: Half the label-recommended amount
- Second application: Three-quarters of the label-recommended amount
- Later applications: Do not exceed the amount on the label
Skip fertilizer in fall and winter or whenever the plant is stressed or not actively growing. More fertilizer will not make a plant in low light grow faster.
Repotting
ZZ Plants prefer a pot that fits their rhizomes without holding a large amount of extra wet soil. Repot only when the rhizomes crowd the container, distort it, or roots grow heavily through the drainage holes. Choose a pot with drainage that is only 1–2 inches wider than the current root ball.
After shipping, it is usually best to leave the plant in its grow pot while it settles. You can place that grow pot inside a decorative pot and remove it for watering and drainage.
Humidity & Temperature
Normal household humidity is suitable; a humidifier is usually unnecessary. Keep the plant in a warm room away from cold drafts, air-conditioning vents, and heating vents. Bring it indoors before temperatures fall below about 60°F. If you move it outdoors during warm weather, start in shade and introduce brighter light gradually.
Pet Safety
ZZ Plant is not pet safe if chewed or ingested. Its tissues contain calcium oxalate crystals that can irritate the mouth and stomach. Keep it away from pets and children, and contact a veterinarian or poison-control service if any part is eaten.
Accessories
The following instructions apply if your order included a plant stand or water meter.
Plant Stand
Assemble the stand by connecting the two pieces at their center points, then place it on a stable, level surface. Pull the ends apart to open the stand as wide as possible. Carefully place the plant in the center, holding it securely so it does not fall while the stand is still open. Gently push the ends inward until they fit snugly around the pot and hold it securely in place.
Water Meter
Insert the probe into the soil until the tip reaches approximately two inches above the bottom of the pot. Check several areas without forcing the probe through the rhizomes or roots. Wait until the soil reads dry throughout before watering. Wipe the probe clean after each use, and do not leave it in the soil permanently.
Questions?
If you have any questions or concerns about your plant, please reach out to support@joeyshouseplants.com. Thank you for supporting Joey’s Houseplants. Enjoy your new ZZ Plant!
