What's the best way to water a zamioculcas?

I've found that allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings is key. You can also stick your finger into the soil up to the first knuckle to check for moisture. If it's dry, it's time to water!

How often should I fertilize my zamioculcas?

I fertilize my zamioculcas once a month during the growing season (spring and summer). I use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer, and I make sure to follow the instructions on the label.

Can I propagate my zamioculcas?

Yes, you can propagate your zamioculcas by dividing the rhizomes. This is a great way to share plants with friends or multiply your favorite varieties.

How much light do zamioculcas need?

Zamioculcas can tolerate low light conditions, but they'll do best in bright, indirect light. East- or west-facing windows are perfect for these plants.

Are zamioculcas toxic to pets?

Unfortunately, yes, zamioculcas are toxic to pets if ingested. Make sure to keep them out of reach of curious critters, and consider using a plant stand or hanging basket to keep them safe.

Can I grow zamioculcas outdoors?

While zamioculcas can be grown outdoors in warm climates, they're typically more challenging to care for in these conditions. If you do decide to grow them outdoors, make sure to provide plenty of shade and protection from extreme temperatures.

How often should I repot my zamioculcas?

I repot my zamioculcas every 2-3 years in the spring, when they become pot-bound. Use a well-draining potting mix and a slightly larger pot to give the roots room to grow.

Can I grow zamioculcas in a terrarium?

Yes, you can grow zamioculcas in a terrarium, but make sure to provide good air circulation and avoid overwatering. A well-ventilated terrarium is key to keeping these plants happy and healthy.

Zamioculcas Plants: Tips, Tricks, and Fun Facts

Name: My Obsession with Zamioculcas: Tips, Tricks, and Fun Facts
Item: Zamioculcas
Rating: 5
Author: sarahm_lee

I'm totally obsessed with zamioculcas, and I've got three different varieties to prove it: Zenzi, Black Raven, and Zamioculcas zamiifolia. They all sit on the same windowsill, and I'm hoping they're all happy there.

I'll admit it straight up: I didn't buy them for their supposed wealth-attracting properties. I just love the way they look!

Getting to know my zamioculcas took some time. I had trouble figuring out the watering schedule, and I ended up killing off some of the rhizomes. But now I've got it down, and I'm happy to share my tips with you.

Let's start with the first one: Zamioculcas Zenzi.I bought this little guy on Avito for 1900 rubles, plus an extra 500 for shipping. That's a total of 2400 rubles for a 14cm pot. Not bad, if you ask me!

Black Raven Zamioculcas This zamioculcas was also purchased on Avito for 1800 rubles. Shipping cost me 491 rubles, and another 100 rubles for packaging. That's a total of 2391 rubles for a 17cm pot.

Zamioculcas Zamifolia I got this zamioculcas in one pot. I bought one part on Valberis for a bit over 1000 rubles, and the other part somewhere else (I'm not even sure where now). Both plants were small - not in terms of height, but in terms of a few small leaf-stems.

I've bought all my zamioculcas from flower traders, not private sellers. It's just not worth it from the latter. And the prices they charge? Ridiculous! On the other hand, flower traders or resellers, whatever you call them, sell fully grown and beautiful plants at a reasonable price - at least, compared to store prices.

As I mentioned earlier, our friendship didn't exactly get off to a great start. I (with the best of intentions) kept watering them regularly. Not too much, just often. And they were in a decent potting mix to boot. It took me a while to realize my mistake when the leaves of my zamioculcas started turning yellow. That's when I noticed the rhizome was in a pretty bad state. Now, I had planted the regular zamioculcas and the Raven variety in a bit more spacious pots. But the Zenzi remained in the same condition as when I bought it.

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REVIVING MY ZAMIOCULCAS

I started by repotting my zamioculcas. I gave the roots a good once-over, removed any rotten roots and tubers, washed them, and let them dry for about an hour. Then I coated the roots with charcoal. I planted them in a good soil (if I remember correctly, I'll leave a link to it at the end of this review) and started watering them sparingly. I basically left them alone. I knew the yellow leaves wouldn't turn green again, but I just wanted to prevent them from getting any worse.

And as time went on, everything settled down.

CARING FOR YOUR ZAMIOCULCASZamioculcas loves bright, indirect light – not direct sunlight, but a gentle, filtered glow. Some people think it's a shade-loving plant, but that's not true. It'll just fade away slowly in the shade.

Watering your zamioculcas should be moderate. It's best to water after the soil has fully dried out. I water mine with filtered water that's been left to sit for a day (1 day), and make sure it's not too cold. Avoid spraying the leaves at all costs.

I've already mentioned the soil above – I didn't want to overcomplicate things, so I just bought a suitable soil for these plants.

I don't pay much attention to temperature. Whatever the temperature is in my apartment, that's what it gets.

Propagating the ZZ Plant Propagating the ZZ plant can be done using leaves and leaf segments. To be honest, I'm still struggling with this. When I compare my experience to YouTube videos where bloggers seem to grow new rhizomes in a month using any method, I'm left wondering what I'm doing wrong. I've never managed to grow a decent-sized rhizome. During rooting, my leaves would either rot or dry out, and even after a few months, no new rhizomes would appear.

Here's an example of what I mean:

But then I saw this successful example!

Again, I'll reiterate that I've never managed to grow a large rhizome in a short amount of time. Check out the tiny rhizome I managed to grow from a leaf segment in a month:

And here's a slightly larger bulb, but it's worth noting that it grew from a full leaf. Unfortunately, the leaf itself completely dried out.

I also have a pot with ZZ plant cuttings. They're still fresh, so I'm not sure what to expect yet.

Don't worry about the leaves - I got this Zamia in a sale, and it had been frost-damaged at some point. The leaves managed to survive, but they looked pretty rough. I decided to prune them and propagate new plants. The plant itself seems fine, and I'm expecting it to produce plenty of new, healthy leaves soon.

I left a couple of the damaged leaves on the plant, though.

WHAT KIND OF SOIL IS SUITABLE FOR ZAMIA?

Zamia needs a very loose soil that's well-draining and airy. Some people like to make their own mix, but I opted for a pre-made one.

As it turns out, Zamia belongs to the aroid family, and there are many different soil options available for that family. From my experience, the one shown below worked really well.

I added perlite, vermiculite (for extra aeration), some activated charcoal, and a bit of ceramic grit to the mix - Zamia seems to love it. Here's what the final mix looks like:

How I Make the Most of My Plant's Fertilizer

I'm super relaxed when it comes to fertilizing my plants. I just grab whatever's suitable from around the house. The key is to make sure the fertilizer isn't for flowering plants. Instead, I use the ones labeled for 'ornamental and leafy' or 'all-purpose' plants. I also like to add a dash of beeswax, monopotassium phosphate, and biogumus to the mix. However, I alternate between fertilizing and regular watering. For instance, I'll apply fertilizer twice and then follow up with two rounds of regular watering. I let the water sit for a day or two before using it. When I'm in a rush, I'll use boiled water, but I make sure it cools down to room temperature before giving it to my plants.

Watering My Plant

Every plant is different, so I have to adjust the watering schedule accordingly. My soil dries out pretty quickly – within three to four days, it's usually dry. I've got great soil, but I don't rush into watering. I wait another week before starting my regular watering routine. This helps me avoid overwatering, which was a common issue for me in the past. Now, it's a thing of the past.

I don't even bother measuring the water level in my pot. The less soil you have, the less water you need. But I always try to make sure the soil is nice and moist.

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NO ISSUES WITH ZAMIOLUCAS

I've got three different types of zamiolucas, and I've never seen any of them get sick. Not once! Not even pests are interested in them. It's like zamiolucas are a gardener's dream come true!

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WHY ZAMIOLUCAS GET WOODY

But I know a lot of people struggle with this. I've got a few woody stems myself. They're from the same underpriced plant I was telling you about earlier. I felt bad for the plant, so I decided to give it a chance.

But let's get back to the woody stems. The secret is simple: it's not a disease! There's no need to go digging around in the roots. These stems just happen when you underwater the plant. I don't underwater my plants, so I'm hoping my stems will recover soon.

SIGNS AND SUPERSTITIONS AROUND ZAMIOLUCAS

Everyone knows that this plant is sometimes called the dollar tree. People believe it'll bring wealth into their homes. I'm a skeptic, but it's nice to dream, right?

Apparently, you're supposed to talk to the plant when you water it and ask for wealth and good fortune.

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I've also heard some pretty out-there claims about zamiokulkas. Apparently, you're supposed to attach a dollar bill to the top leaf and use money-charged water to water it. Yeah, because that's exactly how you get a plant to thrive – by watering it with cash.

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But honestly, these superstitions are basically just a rip-off of the 'money tree' myth. They're just copying the same old ideas and slapping them onto zamiokulkas. I think we can safely ignore these claims.

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Apparently, you're supposed to keep your zamiokuklas on the southeast side of your home – probably a window. And the pot has to be brand new, no used pots allowed!

And of course, there's the claim that you should bury a coin in the soil with the plant. Yeah, because that's exactly how you get a plant to grow – by burying cash with it.

Darling zamiokulkas are supposed to be given as gifts on happy occasions, which only increases their 'money energy'.

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And then there's the whole thing about zamiokulkas blooming. Apparently, if it blooms, it's a sign that your financial luck is about to change. But here's the thing: only mature plants bloom, so don't get your hopes up if you've got a young zamiokuklas.

The Bottom Line!

Zamiokulkas are pretty amazing plants. I'm obsessed with them – I could stare at them all day! They might not be the prettiest plants out there, but there's something special about them.

Looking after all of these plants is a breeze - just make sure you're watering them right, giving them enough light, and occasionally wiping off any dust from their leaves. But for me, that's the best part. Wiping down the leaves is almost meditative. It's a chance to escape the chaos of daily life, tune out the noise, and just be with myself. It's like a mini-vacation from it all!

I'm not going to pick a favorite - I love them all! Each one has its own unique charm, and they're all pretty low-maintenance. I did have some initial issues with watering, but I've since figured it out and haven't had any problems. In fact, you can see new leaves starting to sprout in all of the pots - they're tiny, but it's a great sign that I'm doing everything right. As a plant lover, it's amazing to see these little guys thrive!