ZZ Plant Soil & Care Guide

ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is an ornamental succulent plant native to Eastern Africa and South Africa — commonly called Zanzibar gem or eternity plant.

Like a snake plant or peace lily, the ZZ plant is low maintenance and can thrive in indirect light or low light conditions. So it’s an ideal indoor plant for any plant lover!

Some popular Z. zamiifolia varieties include:

• Variegated ZZ plant
• Raven ZZ plant
• Lucky Classic ZZ Plant

But what goes into ZZ plant care?

Let’s find out:

1. ZZ Plant Soil

A Zanzibar gem plant can survive in almost any potting medium thanks to its rhizome (an underground stem that produces shoots and roots), which can store water and plant food. 

But its root system can’t handle soggy soil.

So, to flourish, this house plant requires a potting soil or potting mix with:

• Optimal drainage: It should be a fast draining soil mixture that retains some moisture to allow the rhizome to soak up water.
  
• Light and fluffy soil: ZZ plant’s soil should be porous and airy, which helps with the rhizome and root development of the plant. Dense soil will hinder the growth of new plants.
• Good Nutrition: The plant requires adequate nutrients (like nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus) despite being a slow grower. 

Moreover, although a ZZ plant can survive in cactus soil, the cactus mix probably won’t retain enough moisture to help the indoor plant flourish. 

That’s why it’s better to use a potting mix like Rosy, which provides the best soil conditions for ZZ plant growth — unlike cactus soil.

2. Essential ZZ Plant Care Tips

Here are some important ZZ plant care tips:

• Plant your Zamioculcas zamiifolia in a container with a pot size about 1-2 inches larger than the root ball.
  
• Keep your ZZ houseplant in a spot with bright indirect sunlight.
  
• Water ZZ plant thoroughly whenever the soil dries out.
  
• ZZ plant prefers slightly humid environments. So, you can use a humidifier to overcome dry conditions — even if you use an amended cactus mix.
  
• Fertilize the ZZ plant soil in its growing season (spring and summer) to support plant growth.
  
• Prune this houseplant to remove any yellow leaves or arching branches. You can use the stem cutting or leaf cutting for ZZ plant propagation.
  
• For an enlarged rhizome, overcrowded stems, or a root-bound plant, transplant it into a bigger pot during its growing season.
  
• You could also divide the rhizome and plant each division in a new container to propagate ZZ plant and enable new growth.

3. Indicators of Improper Plant Care

When your slow-growing eternity plant doesn’t get the plant care it needs, it may show warning signs like:

• Yellowing leaves: Yellow leaves can indicate soggy soil or overwatering.
  
• Brown leaves: Excessive exposure to direct sunlight may cause leaf curling or browning — move the house plant to a spot with bright indirect light.
  
• Dropped plant leaves: This may indicate inadequate watering.
• Root rot: It can imply overwatering or excessive moisture retention.