ZZ plant care: light, water, and pet safety

Zamioculcas zamiifolia

Care table

Light	Low light to bright indirect light. Tolerates low light. Bright indirect light speeds growth.
Water	Let it dry out fully. Water when the soil is dry all the way down.
Humidity	Average room air is fine
Repotting	Every 2 to 3 years in spring. It likes to be a bit root bound.

Winter care

Water sparingly, often every 3 to 6 weeks in a cool room. Stop fertilizer. Give it your brightest window.

Pet safety

Not on the ASPCA list, use caution. Not on the ASPCA list. ZZ is in the arum family with pothos and philodendron, which contain calcium oxalate crystals, so keep it away from pets.

Pet safety comes from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants list. The list is not exhaustive, and a plant marked non-toxic can still upset a pet stomach. If a pet eats a plant and you are worried, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 (a fee may apply). ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants list.

Common problems

Soft, mushy base or black roots: Root rot from soil that stays wet too long. Common in winter.
Yellow leaflets: Usually overwatering. The thick rhizomes store water.

How to check the soil

Finger test: push a finger into the soil up to the first knuckle, about an inch. Dry and crumbly means that layer is dry. Cool or damp means wait. For deeper checks use a wooden skewer: it comes out clean when the soil is dry.

All houseplants and the Light and Water tool