Pronounciation: Za-me-o-CUL-cas za-mi-i-FOL-ee-a

Hardiness zones
Sunset 12-20 (with cold protection), 21-24
USDA 9 (with cold protection)-11

Landscape Use: Containier plant, entryways, patios, atriums, interiorscape specimen.

Form & Character: Upright, arching, clean and shiny.

Growth Habit: Evergreen, herbaceous perennial, clumping with compound leaves extending upwards and arching to 3-feet long with somewhat greater spread, acaulescent with underground succulent rhizomes (stems) containing swollen water-storing tubers.

Foliage/Texture: Elongated, pinnately compound nearly succulent dark green leaves to 3-feet long emerge at the soil surface surrounded by a brown sheath, leaflets ovate to 4-inches long, strongly glaborous, up to 24 leaflets per leaf; medium coarse texture.

Flowers & Fruits: Simple, basal, green-colored spathe surrounding a creamy white spadix, uncommon; fruits uncommon.

Seasonal Color: None

Temperature: Easily damaged by air temperatures lower than 50^oF or air temperatures above 105^oF.

Light: Shade, prefers indirect sunlight and is tolerant of low light interiorscapes for extended intervals. Intolerant of direct Phoenix sun.

Soil: Tolerant, but in Phoenix ZZ plant grows best in a fast-draining soil or soilless substrate consisting of organic matter and pumice. Fertilize sparingly, no more than three times a year or if its foliage begins to fade from its otherwise deep, lustrous green color.

Watering: When grown in containers, ZZ plant can survive and even flourish for extended periods of several weeks to months without water. Highly intolerant of overwatering. For indoor culture, use harvested rainwater when ever possible.

Pruning: Remove yellowing, senescing leaves as needed.

Propagation: Division, leaf cuttings.

Disease and Pests: Root rot caused by overwatering.

Additional comments: ZZ plant is the consumate container plant for shaded, indirect sunlight exposures. Unlike so many plants, ZZ plant thrives when pot bound in containers. Its deeply green, glossy, shiny foliage make it a fabulous foliar accent plant for outdoors in shaded entryways, covered patios or atriums, or it can flourish indoors with minimal care provided there is sufficient indirect sunlight from a large window.