Zamioculcas zamiifolia

Where it grows naturally

Zamioculcas zamiifolia is native to eastern and south-eastern Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and KwaZulu-Natal. It grows naturally in seasonally dry tropical areas. Its thick rhizomes and fleshy leaf bases store water through dry periods.

How to grow it well

• Light: Bright filtered light gives steady growth. It also handles lower light, with slower new growth.
• Watering: Let the potting mix dry well before watering again, then soak the whole root ball and let the pot drain fully.
• Temperature: A range of about 18–26 °C suits the plant. Keep temperatures above roughly 15 °C.
• Humidity: Normal indoor humidity is suitable.
• Potting mix: Use a light, well-draining mix that stays loose around the rhizomes.
• Feeding: Feed once or twice when new shoots are growing, using a balanced liquid houseplant fertiliser and following the label.
• Repotting: Repot when the rhizomes press against the pot or the pot stops drying evenly.
• Propagation: To divide the plant, separate the rhizomes into sections with healthy roots and shoots. Leaf cuttings can also be used. Leaf cuttings take time because they form a new rhizome before new shoots appear.

Signs of trouble

• Stalks yellow and soften while the mix stays damp: The roots and rhizomes have stayed wet for too long. Rot may be starting. Let the mix dry and inspect the rhizomes. Cut soft decay back to firm tissue with a disinfected tool, then repot into fresh, loose potting mix.
• Stalks wrinkle or leaflets begin to drop: Stored water is running low. Check that the root ball is dry, then water thoroughly and let the pot drain.
• Tan patches appear on exposed leaflets: Strong direct sun can scorch indoor foliage. Move the plant to bright filtered light and increase direct sun gradually.
• Small brown scale insects appear on leaves or stalks: Check closely for scale insects. Remove visible pests and use a treatment labelled for scale, repeating it as directed on the label.
• Soft, watery patches spread quickly: Stem or rhizome rot may be developing. Isolate the plant and cut away badly affected tissue with disinfected tools. Discard severely rotten rhizomes and the old potting mix.

If you need help identifying a problem, send us clear photos of the whole plant and the affected area. Include the soil or potting mix around the roots.

Zamioculcas zamiifolia is toxic to people and pets

• Keep this plant away from children, cats and dogs.
• Its leaves and stems contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate the mouth, throat, skin and eyes.
• Chewing may cause burning pain, drooling, swelling, vomiting or difficulty swallowing. Contact a veterinarian or medical professional after exposure, especially if swelling or breathing problems occur.

Where does the name Zamioculcas zamiifolia come from?

Zamioculcas combines the genus names Zamia and Colocasia. The epithet zamiifolia means having leaves like Zamia, referring to the resemblance of the compound foliage to that cycad genus.

Heinrich Wilhelm Schott established the genus Zamioculcas in 1856 in Synopsis Aroidearum, page 71.

George Loddiges first described it as Caladium zamiifolium in 1829 in The Botanical Cabinet, volume 15, plate 1408. Heinrich Gustav Adolf Engler later placed it in Zamioculcas as Zamioculcas zamiifolia in 1905 in Das Pflanzenreich, IV, 23B, page 305.