Money Plant
Epipremnum aureum
low lightpet cautionToxic to pets
SPECIMEN NO. 932
Native toKenya to KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Low light
ZZ Plant
Zamioculcas zamiifolia
Also known as: Zanzibar Gem, Eternity Plant, Aroid Palm
An extremely hardy, slow-growing plant with thick, glossy, upright leaves that grow from swollen underground rhizomes capable of storing water for weeks. Extremely forgiving and well suited to beginners.
14–30dwatering range
low to bright indirectlight needs
18–26°Ctemperature
Watering amount
How much water does my ZZ Plant need?
Estimated guideline, not a precise measurement — scale up for larger pots, brighter light, or active growth; scale down for smaller pots, lower light, or winter dormancy. Always water until it drains from the pot's base rather than measuring exactly. Use soil moisture and plant condition as the primary guide; the ml value is only a rough estimate.
Watering guide
Season note
Water only after the soil has dried completely; the interval varies with light, temperature, pot size, and season and is often several weeks indoors.
Overwatering signs
Yellowing leaves, soft/mushy stems, rhizome rot
Underwatering signs
Rarely occurs; extremely drought-tolerant due to water-storing rhizomes
Light & placement
Light level
low to bright indirect
Best rooms
Care details
Soil
Well-draining potting mix, sandy or with added perlite
Humidity
Tolerates average indoor humidity; no misting needed
Fertilizer
Standard houseplant fertilizer twice a year during growing season
Temperature range
18°C – 26°C
Plant care guide
The ZZ plant, botanically Zamioculcas zamiifolia, is a relatively recent addition to mainstream houseplant culture despite having existed in cultivation for much longer — it only became widely commercially available in the late 1990s, after growers developed reliable large-scale propagation techniques, and its popularity has climbed steadily ever since due to its very forgiving reputation. The species is native to eastern Africa, ranging from Kenya down through Tanzania to South Africa, where it grows in grasslands, along riverbanks, and in dry, seasonal forests — environments that experience long stretches without rain, which has shaped nearly every aspect of how the plant behaves in cultivation. It's hardy in USDA zones roughly 9b through 11, and outdoors in its native range it can reach two to three feet tall and wide.
ZZ plant belongs to the arum family, Araceae, making it a relative of peace lily and pothos, though its appearance is dramatically different. Its most distinctive adaptation is the thick, potato-like rhizome that grows underground, storing water and energy reserves that allow the plant to survive extended drought in its native habitat — this is the same structural strategy that makes it so tolerant of neglect and irregular watering as a houseplant. Above ground, the smooth, upright stems (technically part of the compound leaf structure, not true woody stems) are lined with glossy, waxy leaflets that have a naturally water-resistant sheen, another drought adaptation that also happens to make the plant strikingly attractive with minimal care. Its genus name comes from its resemblance to cycads, an ancient group of plants that predate the dinosaurs, though ZZ plant is not a cycad at all — the similarity is purely visual, and the resemblance is strong enough that it's occasionally mistaken for one by casual observers. If and when the plant does flower, which is uncommon and easy to miss indoors, it produces a small, low-growing spadix-type inflorescence near the base, similar in structure to a peace lily's bloom but far less showy.
Toxicity
Pets: Toxic to pets — keep out of reach
Humans: Toxic to humans if ingested
Contains calcium oxalate crystals; sap may also cause mild skin irritation on contact. Same toxic mechanism documented as harmful to humans in clinical/poison-control literature.
See our full guide to houseplants toxic to cats and dogs for pet-safe alternatives.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I water a ZZ Plant?+
Water only after the soil has dried completely. Indoors this may be every 2–6 weeks, with longer intervals in cooler or lower-light conditions.
Can ZZ Plant survive in an office with no windows?+
It tolerates very low light for extended periods, though growth will be slower than in indirect natural light.
Is ZZ Plant toxic to pets?+
Yes, all parts are toxic if ingested, and the sap can irritate skin — wear gloves when handling or repotting it.
Where is the ZZ Plant originally from?+
It's native to dry grasslands and forests of eastern Africa, from Kenya down to KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa — its drought tolerance and water-storing rhizomes evolved to survive that region's long dry seasons.
Is ZZ Plant a succulent?+
Not technically — it's classified as an aroid, not a succulent — but it behaves like one. Its thick, swollen rhizomes store water the same way succulent leaves or stems do, which is why it tolerates neglect and infrequent watering so well.
