Zamioculcas zamiifolia 'Zamicro'

The background to 'Zamicro'

'Zamicro' was discovered in 2002 in Aarlanderveen, the Netherlands, as a naturally occurring mutation affecting the whole plant. Its upright compact shape, small leaves and glossy dark green colour stayed consistent in later generations.

Zamioculcas zamiifolia occurs naturally in eastern and south-eastern Africa.

Growing 'Zamicro' indoors

• Potting mix: A loose houseplant mix that drains quickly suits 'Zamicro'. Keep the drainage holes clear.
• Light: Bright indirect light helps the clump stay full and upright. New shoots appear more slowly in dimmer spots.
• Watering: After the potting mix has dried well, water the whole root ball and let the container drain fully.
• Repotting: Move up one pot size when the rhizomes crowd the sides or moisture no longer dries evenly through the container.
• Temperature: Keep 'Zamicro' at about 18–26 °C, with temperatures staying above roughly 15 °C.
• Feeding: Give a light balanced liquid houseplant feed once or twice while new shoots are developing. Follow the label rate.
• Humidity: Typical indoor humidity is suitable.
• Propagation: Separate the underground rhizomes into rooted pieces, keeping at least one healthy shoot on each piece.

If 'Zamicro' looks unwell

• New shoots stretch and the clump loses its tight shape: The position is too dim. Increase filtered light gradually and rotate the pot for more even exposure.
• Yellow or soft watery tissue appears at the stalk bases: The rhizomes have stayed too wet. Let the mix dry, inspect below the surface and cut decay back to firm healthy tissue with a disinfected tool.
• Small brown scale insects appear among the stems: Inspect the compact leaf bases and stalks carefully. Remove visible insects and follow with a labelled scale treatment at its stated repeat interval.
• Leaflets wrinkle and the stalks lose firmness: The root ball has been dry for a long time. Give it a thorough watering once the mix is dry and allow the pot to drain.
• Dry tan patches develop on exposed leaflets: Direct sun has scorched the foliage. Move 'Zamicro' back to filtered light and build up any direct exposure gradually.

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 ‘Zamicro’ 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.

What does the name Zamioculcas zamiifolia mean?

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.