Hello Toronto Master Gardener,
I recently got this lovely plant but I cannot find a lot of information about it. Is it ZZ Zenzi plant? How different is it from the normal ZZ plant? How to grow, care and propagate it properly in Toronto?
Many thanks for all your guidance and information.
Thank you for your question for Toronto Master Gardeners about your plant.
From your photo, your plant does appear to be a ZZ plant or Zamioculcas zamiifolia.
Zamioculcas zamiifolia, with the common names of ZZ plant, fern arum, Zanzibar gem or aroid palm, is native to the grasslands and forests of Eastern Africa. This stemless evergreen plant can grow up to .5 to 1 m tall and is an easy to care for houseplant in Toronto and zones below 9 (RHS). From your photo and not having a plant tag, it is not possible to identify the specific cultivar of your plant. The cultivar, Zamioculcus zamiifolia ‘Zenzi’, differs from a normal/usual ZZ plant in its compact size dark green curled leaves which grow close together. Requirements and care is the same for the regular ZZ plant and a more compact, dwarf variety/cultivar growing 35-40 cm tall.
Growing conditions of a ZZ plant are:
- Water: ZZ plants require well drained medium moist soil. ZZ plants should be regularly watered, but allow the soils to dry between applications. Avoid wet soil.
- Light: part shade to full shade. After “hardening-off” or gradually exposing the plant to early morning sun, the plant can be placed outdoors in the morning sun with afternoon shade or in bright indirect light to shade.
- Temperature: Normal household. Bring ZZ plants indoor in the fall when night temperatures drop to 16c (MBG).
- Handling: mildly toxic if ingested
- Propagation: by leaf cuttings or division.For more information, including propagation, please refer to:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/zz-plant/propagating-zz-plants.htm
Do enjoy your lovely houseplant.