| Houseplant
Cultural
information: If your in the market for a really neat
plant that is hardy, requires very little care and truly easy to grow, pickup a ZZ
plant the next time you visit the local greenhouse. ZZ is also
called the Eternity Plant because it lasts an eternity.
What makes the ZZ plant so easy to grow is that it thrives in
nearly any lighting condition except total darkness. It doesn't
get bugs. The ZZ plant requires a minimum of care in terms of
watering and fertilizing.
Zamioculcas zamiifolia was houseplant of the
year for 2002.
ZZ plants will
adapt to nearly any lighting condition except total darkness. In my
opinion I feel the ZZ plant should be placed in bright filtered
light for best long-term plant health.
The reason the ZZ plant requires very little is
because the plant grows from a large tuber similar to a potato that
stores water every time the plant is watered. This tuber acts like a
little reservoir giving up its water as the plant needs it. With
this in mind let the soil
dry down completely between waterings. Then water thoroughly all
the way around the plant allowing plenty of water to run from the
drain holes into the drip tray. If the ZZ plant has not taken up the
excess water in the drip tray within a couple of hours it should be
remove to help prevent root rot.
Zamioculcas zamiifolia is not a heavy feeder and
will get by just fine if feed about 4 times per year with Peter's
Houseplant Special.
ZZ plants are easy to propagate. Simply remove the
plant from the pot and break the tubers away from each other.
Replant the tubers in any good well drained houseplant potting soil. Water in the
transplants and set them in bright indirect light. That's it!
Common houseplant pests can include: I've not seen a
Zamioculcas zamiifolia with bugs.
ZZ plants are extremely popular and available as
small 3" or 4" starter plants, mid sized 6" and
8" pots, as well as larger 10", 12" and 14"
specimens. ZZ plants can even be found growing in Bonsai like
containers. ZZ plants are a little more expensive than other houseplants...
but they are well worth the small investment.
Related Articles: The
Incredible ZZ Plant
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