Zanzibar Gem – The ZZ Plant
How to Grow and Care the Zanzibar Gem
Zanzibar Gem, with its beautiful, stick-like stems and waxy, and emerald green leaves, is an attractive and famous indoor plant for homes and offices alike. Considering its ability to withstand long-term drought or neglect, the Zanzibar Gem earned the nickname “The Eternity Plant.”
Understand the basics of Zanzibar Gem plant care, including light requirements, watering frequency, and how to deal with common problems you may face along the way.
Light Requirements
Although it can adapt to low light and can survive with fluorescent overhead lights, Zanzibar Gem prefers bright or medium indirect light.
Watering Frequency
Zanzibar Gem stores water in its bulbous roots, stems and leaves, that means it does not need to water frequently. Water thoroughly once or twice a week or when the top 2 inches of the soil is dry. Stumble on the side of under watering, and note that your watering plan may be less often during winter.
Growth
Under ideal conditions, the Zanzibar gem can grow up to 10″ per year and eventually reach a height of five feet. In low light situations, this plant will grow more sluggishly. In spring and summer, fertilize your Zanzibar Gem 1-2 times a month with indoor plant food or foliar feed throughout the year.
Common Problems with ZZ Plants
1. Leaves Or Tips Turning Brown
The brown tips or leaves of the Zanzibar Gem are mostly due to the dry climate. If your plant is close to a heater or air conditioning vent, this may drain the air for your plant. Increase the humidity of the environment by misting, pebble trays or running humidifiers.
2. Yellow Leaves
First of all, it is normal for Zanzibar Gems to infrequently lose older leaves. If there are a few yellow leaves, pluck them. One or more yellow leaves on the Zanzibar Gem are usually an indication of overwatering. You may also notice brown, mushy stalks, particularly at the base. You can also remove yellow leaves or soft twigs, making sure your plant dries before re-watering (you may wait weeks or months to re-water!). If you doubt there is moisture at the bottom of your pot (at the base of the roots), you need to change the soil and repot because overwatering may lead to root decay.
How to Maintain a Healthy and Beautiful Zanzibar Gem
Maintain your Zanzibar Gem as it will take care of you. Below are some simple tips on how to continue caring for your Zanzibar gem over time.
Pruning
Zanzibar Gems basically shape themselves, so you won’t need to prune this plant frequently. Remove dry or dead leaves throughout the year, but save any major pruning for the spring and summer seasons. Unlike other common indoor plants, Zanzibar Gem pruning does not promote new growth, so only remove unwanted or damaged stems. When pruning your ZZ Plant, use sharp, clean scissors and cut at the base of the stem.
Cleaning
Although tiring, keeping your Zanzibar Gem dust-free will help immerse the plant in more light. Clean the leaves often with a damp cloth and include misting in your daily routine to reduce dust build-up.
Repotting
Indoor plants grow much more slowly than in the wild. Depending on the size of your plant and the thickness of the roots, it is best to do this every two to three years to provide new nutrients and promote new growth.
Zanzibar Gems have such solid roots that they will break their old pots when it’s time to repot. They favor to have their roots compactly trampled, so don’t feel hurried to repot if it looks or feels packed. Normally Zanzibar Gems can be repotted every two years.
If you want the plant to grow bigger, find a pot that’s 2” in diameter larger than the existing pot. If you want the plant to stay the same height, you can reuse the exact pot and just change the soil.
Process: Spread any paper on the floor, take out the plant from the pot, and mix as much old soil as possible so you can get clean and fresh roots. Keep the plant in the middle of the pot, add new soil and pat down decisively. Water the soil well and keep the plant in a place where it gets indirect light. It will take two to four weeks for your plant to recover from the impact and adjust to the new home.
How to Propagate a Zanzibar Gem
Propagating a Zanzibar Gem is very simple and there are few different methods to do it. Because of the rhizome root system, Zanzibar Gems can simply be separated into new plants. However, you can also propagate with cuttings for a less chaotic practice.
Read on these instructions to propagate your Zanzibar Gem effectively:
Pick some stems to propagate
Using shrill, clean scissors, cut a stem from the base of its growth. It’s best to pick smaller stems because they will grow roots quicker.
- Allow the cuttings to dry out
Allow the stalks to dry out and callous, and wait a few hours before moving on to the next stage.
- Place in water
Get a clear glass and place the cutting in it with water. You can also choose to dip the cutting in rooting hormone first, as this will increase the probabilities and speed of the cutting establishing its own roots.
- Place in a bright area
Prevent direct sunlight, and be patient! It may take a few weeks for new roots to form.
- Transfer to soil
When the roots are at least two inches long, transfer it to indoor potting soil. A small pot is perfect which is no larger than 6” in diameter. As this plant likes to have its roots firmly compacted, it’s best to plant different cuttings and their roots in a same pot together.
- Keep hydrated
Water regularly for the first few weeks, or until your plant feels rooted in its soil. The soil should always be moist to the touch.
If you’re looking for a good beginner indoor plant, the Zanzibar Gem is one of the best choices available. It’s very easy to tend to, you don’t have to leave a key with your neighbors to water it when you go for a vacation, and it’s not concerned with insects and bugs. The leaves are obviously shiny which makes them truly eye-catching. And, if you plan forward, you can simply propagate the plant with leaf cuttings so that you can improve the air quality inside your house.
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