Eternity Plant Zamioculcas zamiifolia
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Caladium zamiifolium
- Zamioculcas lanceolata
- Zamioculcas loddigesii
- Phonetic Spelling
- zam-ee-oh-KUL-kass zam-ee-FOH-lee-uh
- This plant has medium severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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ZZ plant is an erect, semi-evergreen perennial in the Araceae (ariod) family and native to Africa. The species name means with leaves like Zamia, which is an unrelated genus. This plant has a slow growth rate, reaching 2 to 4 feet in height and width.
In the landscape, ZZ plant needs to be planted in partial to deep shade and highly organic or sandy soil with good drainage. It has bulbous fleshy rhizomes that give rise to glossy leaves that store water and make it highly drought tolerant.
As a houseplant, pot it in well-drained potting soil that is watered routinely but allowed to dry out between waterings, as wet feet are not tolerated. Water it only once a month in winter months when it goes dormant; water twice monthly in the summer, but only if the soil has dried out completely. Use a balanced fertilizer once or twice a year. This plant can be treated in much the same way as cactus and other succulent plants. While they will grow in very low levels of light, even in areas with only fluorescent light, they do best with bright indirect sunlight. Scalding and browning of leaves can occur if the plant is placed in direct sunlight. Propagate by division or leaf cutting. This plant has a medium toxicity to cats and dogs.
ZZ plant is one of the easiest to grow, low-maintenance houseplants and is seen frequently in commercial interiorscapes. In some areas, it may be possible to grow this plant in a container outdoors if it is brought in once the temperature falls below 60 degrees F.
Quick ID Hints:
- stemless evergreen, grows up to 3 feet tall
- pinnately compound leaves
- each leaf has 6 to 8 pairs of glossy green leaflets that are elliptic
- the flower is a spadix surrounded by a sheath-like spathe
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Black Raven'
young leaves are bright green and then transition to black as it matures - 'Chameleon'
leaves emerge golden-yellow and then transition to dark green with maturity - 'Lucky'
wide green leaves with rounded tips
Raven™ 'Dowon'
Lime green new growth that turns a dramatic purple-black color as it ages - 'Black Raven'
- 'Black Raven', 'Chameleon', 'Lucky', Raven™ 'Dowon'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Black Raven'
young leaves are bright green and then transition to black as it matures - 'Chameleon'
leaves emerge golden-yellow and then transition to dark green with maturity - 'Lucky'
wide green leaves with rounded tips
Raven™ 'Dowon'
Lime green new growth that turns a dramatic purple-black color as it ages - 'Black Raven'
- 'Black Raven', 'Chameleon', 'Lucky', Raven™ 'Dowon'
- Tags:
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-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Zamioculcas
- Species:
- zamiifolia
- Family:
- Araceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Leaf Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Africa
- Distribution:
- Native: Kenya, KwaZulu-Natal, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Houseplant
- Poisonous
- Succulent
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Semi-evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Green
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Spadix
- Flower Description:
- Rarely flowers. Sheath-like green spathe surrounds a white spadix. (an upright spike of creamy white flowers)
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Semi-evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Fleshy
- Glossy
- Leathery
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Pinnately compound glossy green leaves with thick petioles that can grow up to 2-4' long. Around 25 leaflets, each elliptic and about 1-2" long.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Description:
- Thick, fleshy stems from a rhizome. They start out broad and taper towards the top.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Houseplants
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs