Houseplant (rhizomatous foliage)
ZZ Plant
Zamioculcas zamiifolia
Stores water in thick underground rhizomes, making it one of the most drought-tolerant common houseplants and one of the easiest to accidentally overwater to death.
| Light | Low to bright indirect light |
|---|---|
| Water | Infrequent; let soil dry completely, water sparingly in winter |
| Spacing | Single pot specimen |
| Zones | Houseplant everywhere; outdoors zones 9-11 |
| Harvest | N/A — foliage plant |
| Difficulty | Easy |
The rhizomes do the work
ZZ plant stores substantial water reserves in potato-like rhizomes just below the soil, which is why it tolerates weeks of neglect but suffers quickly in soil that never dries — root and rhizome rot is by far the most common cause of death.
Slow, steady growth is normal
New shoots emerge infrequently, often just a few times a year, each unfurling as a single thick stalk of glossy leaflets. This isn't a sign of poor care — it's the plant's natural pace.
More plant profiles
- TomatoThe most-grown vegetable in home gardens, and the one most improved by consistent water and a cage or stake set at planting time.
- LettuceA fast, forgiving crop that bolts to seed in heat, so timing and shade matter more than soil fertility.
- BasilThe most temperature-sensitive common herb — it sulks below 10°C and needs regular pinching to stay leafy rather than flowering.