07 Jan Plant of the month
The powerhouse Zamioculcas is the Houseplant of the Month in January.
It’s trendy, stylish and incredibly easy to care for. Because the plant can also cope with reduced light, now is a good time to highlight Zamioculcas with the POS material that can be downloaded free of charge using the link at the bottom of this article.
Botanical superhero with added shine
The story of Zamioculcas
Zamioculcas zamiifolia, also commonly known as the zz plant, is a member
of the Araceae, the arum family. It’s a perennial with feathered leaves
that grows to a height of 40 to 60cm. The leaves on the thick stems are
smooth, shiny and dark green. The plant can flower, but rarely
does in home environments, unless it is seriously neglected, as a
survival technique. The arum-like flowers will then grow from the base
of the plant.
The plant has only been part of the houseplant range since 1996, and has no historic symbolism. But in terms of its indestructibility, words like ‘strength’, ‘survivor’ and ‘resilient’ are very appropriate.
Origin of Zamioculcas
Zamioculcas’ natural environment consists of rocky soil in lowlands or
the foot of highlands in East Africa. Zamioculcas grow in countries
like Kenya, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Malawi and Zanzibar. Its cultivation as a
houseplant is thanks to ambitious Dutch growers, who discovered the
plant in the mid Nineties and saw a good houseplant in this unusual
exotic. Cultivation is not complicated as such, but it does take time:
the plant grows very slowly. To grow Zamioculcas as a houseplant, the
growers have developed techniques to be able to deliver good plants
within a reasonable timescale. A warm and humid environment helps.
Assortment
The Zamioculcas range is limited. But there is a wide choice of pot sizes of the same species. The only different name within the family is the mini-Zamioculcas, which is called Zamicro. The Raven, with its name attributed to the almost black colour of its leaves, is also an option on offer.
Zamioculcas Care tips
Zamioculcas is an ‘easy care’ product that is very tolerant.
- In terms of position it will thrive in both a light spot and partial shade.
- A room temperature of 18-22°C is fine. The plant should not be too cold, although again it generally won’t complain too much about that.
- What Zamioculcas really cannot cope with is overwatering. The soil can be left to dry out a bit between watering. The plant has strong succulent properties in its leaves and roots to get it through a dry period.
- Give some plant food once a month, and regularly spray the leaves with tepid water.
- Old leaves can be removed if required. New feathers (leaves) will form if there is sufficient light.
- The underground tubers are incredibly strong and can distort the (plastic) inner pot and crack the cachepot. The Zamioculcas must be repotted before it gets to that stage.
- In the summer, when the temperature no longer goes below 12°C, the plant can also be placed in the garden or on the patio. Do be careful of bright sunlight though.
- The plant is only for decoration and not for consumption.
Sales and display tips
The strong vertical lines of the upward feathered leaves make
Zamioculcas an ideal eye-catching plant to bring greenery into an
interior. The fact that it is a very easy houseplant makes it appealing
for students and busy people, offices and public spaces. The plant works
in both modern and traditional interiors, depending on the pot. The
‘zamio’ takes on a trendier look in a colourful pot with a folklore
style.
Zamioculcas images
You can download and use the images below free of charge if you credit Thejoyofplants.co.uk.
Instagram: @thejoyofplants
Facebook: @thejoyofplants
Twitter: @thejoyofplants
For more information about the 2019 Houseplants of the Month selection, click here.
Zamioculcas Poster
You can download the poster using the link below.