Do want to know about ZZ plant care? If yes, then you are on the right page. In this article Agriculture Review will guide you on how to take care for your Zanzibar Gem plant or ZZ plant.

Gardeners, especially those who loves to have amazing houseplants for their home garden would not like to miss this plant. ZZ plant has alluring plant morphology and beneficial air purifying quality. Plant researchers claims that Zanzibar Gem plant can purify toxins such as xylene, toluene, and benzene from the air.

Well before knowing about the care guide of this useful plant let’s learn few interesting things about zz plant.


Introduction

Zanzibar Gem or Zuzu or ZZ plant is actually a name for a genus of flowering plant. ZZ is a tropical, herbaceous, and perennial plant that is native to Africa. Gardeners love to grow zz plant as an ornamental plant for its attractive glossy foliage and air purifying qualities.

Moreover, this beautiful plant doesn’t need much care to grow and that’s why, if you are a beginner then you should definitely add this plant. This plant can grow up to 60 centimetres tall and can easily survive draught conditions for shorter duration.

However this plant can be poisonous, hence you should handle with care. Wash your hands properly after touching any part of this amazing air purifying plant.




ZZ Plant Care Guide

zz plant
ZZ Plant

However this plant requires very less care, but you should definitely know about important care tips that I have discussed in this article. This will help you to understand your plant better and you will have a good experience in growing zz plant.

After reading this article you will be able to recognize about growing season, potting mix, selection of pot, sunlight, watering, fertilizers, pest and disease management for zuzu plant.



Growing Season

The best season to propagate or repot zz plant is spring season. However, this plant can easily grow and survive in regions where temperature remains from 18 to 26 degrees celsius. But in regions where temperature falls below 16 degrees celsius zz plant will face problems to grow.

ZZ plant can easily grow in plant hardiness zones 9 to 10. Or if you are living in tropical regions then you can grow this plant at ease.



Potting Mix

ZZ plant loves well drained, porous, sandy loam soil for better growth and development. However, it prefers sandy soil more than sandy loam soil. ZZ hates clayey or soggy soil. You can use succulent potting mix to grow this plant.

Or you can prepare potting mix with 40% river sand + 30% garden soil + 30% any organic compost. You can also add perlite to the mixture but do not ever add cocopeat.

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Selection of Pot

For growing zz plant you can select medium to large sized earthen, cemented or plastic pot. But make sure that your pot have at least 3 to 4 drainage holes at the bottom. Waterlogging problem can kill your plant.


Sunlight

ZZ plant loves bright indirect sunlight to grow. However, it can also survive in low light. But direct sunlight can burn the leaves of this plant. Hence, I advice you to keep this plant in indoor space. If you will keep your plant in the region where it can receive indirect sunlight then the growth will be good.



Watering

If you love watering your plants then you have to take break in watering frequency for this plant. Because zz plant do not love moist soil. Apply water only when the top layer of potting mix becomes completely dry.

Adding water frequently can kill your zz plant. During winters, I only water twice to thrice in a month. Although watering frequency can vary according to the potting mix and environment. If the top soil becomes completely dry then apply water gently.




zz plant,
ZZ Plant, Photo by Pino Nguyen on Unsplash

Fertilizers

Since zz plant is a slow growing plant and it does not require heavy amount of fertilizers. You can feed your plant with 1/2 teaspoon NPK in the ratio 10:10:10 or 20:20:20, once after every 60 days. If you want to add only organic fertilizers then you can use any organic manure.

Add one to two handful of organic manure once after every 45 days. You can also add a handful of neem cake fertilizers along with any bulky organic manure. But do not add excess of fertilizers to this plant.




Pruning, Cleaning & Misting

ZZ plant does not require much care or pruning, but you can remove old, dried or yellow leaves time to time. This will help to maintain the health of the plant.

With the help of a cotton cloth you can clean or remove the dust on the leaves. This will help to maintain your leaves to look glossy. You can also clean the leaves with cotton cloth dipped in diluted vinegar in water. This will help to remove white spots from the leaves.

If you do not have vinegar then you can use lemon juice. If the atmospheric humidity is below 40% then you can mist your zz plant. Misting during dry atmospheric conditions will help your plant to show ideal growth.



Pest and Diseases

Well ZZ plant is quite a hardy plant and does not affected by pest and diseases easily. Although in severe cases your plant can get affected by aphids. I have already discussed on how to control aphids and you can read this article by checking out the link below.

READ MORE: HOW TO CONTROL APHIDS?

Two main aspects that can kill your zz plant is overwatering and direct sunlight. Avoid these to save your plant and grow it successfully.



ZZ plant is a very easy to care for plant that can add beauty to the indoor space of your garden. You must bring one in your home to purify the air. If you face any problem related to growing plants then you can contact me by commenting below!

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