The ZZ plant is the closest thing to a houseplant that looks after itself — glossy, architectural stems that stay immaculate in rooms where most plants give up. It stores water in fat rhizomes below the soil, which is the key to everything about its care: it wants less than you think, of everything.
Light
Bright indirect light produces the fastest growth, but the ZZ is famously tolerant of shade — a north-facing room, a corridor, the far corner from the window are all workable. Avoid harsh direct sun, which can scorch the leaflets. Growth simply slows as light falls; the plant stays glossy either way.
Watering
Let the soil dry out completely between waterings — roughly every two to three weeks in summer and as little as once a month in winter. When in doubt, wait a week. The rhizomes hold a generous reserve, and the only reliable way to kill a ZZ is to water it too often; yellowing lower stems are almost always a sign of wet feet, not thirst.
Temperature
Comfortable in ordinary room temperatures of 15–24°C. Keep it above 10°C and away from cold draughts. It copes with dry centrally-heated air better than almost any tropical plant — no misting required.
Feeding
A half-strength balanced liquid feed once a month through spring and summer is plenty. Don't feed in winter.
Good to know
New stems emerge bright lime-green and darken as they mature — that contrast is normal and rather lovely. Wipe the leaflets occasionally to keep their shine. The sap can irritate if chewed, so keep it out of reach of curious pets, and wash hands after repotting.
