The Zamioculcas Zamiifolia – or ZZ plant for short – is a hardy, almost impossible-to-kill houseplant that can thrive in interior rooms as much as 10 feet from the nearest sunlit window.
Eternity Plant
This ornamental houseplant native to eastern Africa is becoming more common, noted for it glossy leaves and thick, tuber-like stalk. It likes bright indirect light but can do well away from windows too, making it a great choice for a houseplant. Avoid over-watering as this can cause the tuber root to decay, watering maybe once a month can be sufficient. Best to maintain the plant slightly drier than you would think than to over water it.
This plant is probably easier to care for and hardier that even Ficus which is one of the easiest houseplants that anyone can have. Ficus grow easily but can be damaged too easily from over-watering, even moreso than the Zanzibar Gem.
The ZZ Plant
Hot temperatures is said to increase leaf production, so the plant can actually do well in summertime when other houseplants might be struggling to maintain. The plant can be propagated from the leaves, which are partially buried in granular soil and in time, will develop small tubers and these will sprout new growth. Wikipedia cites that ‘leaf shine’ products should not be used on the ZZ plant, but with leaves that are so naturally glossy, one should not need to anyway.
The leaves are said to have medicinal qualities, used by local tribes people of Ghana as a stomach ache remedy, although over-consumption can be toxic and deadly. It is probably a good idea to not permit children or pets access to the plant. Don’t allow this plant be used in herbivorous/omnivorous reptile cages, such a bearded dragons for instance, even though it is probably safer than many houseplants. These reptiles are notorious nibblers and you don’t want them eating a potentially toxic houseplant.
The waxy succulent leaves are the secret to this plant’s ability to endure the drier conditions. Water is held in the plant and the bulbous stems and tuber roots. The potting soil in the Zanzibar Gem planter can be allowed to dry out, become dusty in fact. Maybe once a month, water the plant thoroughly. Submerging the pot in a bath or bucket of water for 20-30 minutes will water the plant adequately. Over-watering will cause the tuber roots to rot, so the regimine of a monthly ‘wet season’ is probably very reasonable.
This is a hardy, almost-imposible to kill, plant that people whom have trouble raising houseplants should try. I am eager to get some for myself now.
