The ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia ) or Zanzibar Gem is another beautiful indoor plant appreciated due to its ornamental value, and vigor, not demanding a lot of attention. It is Native to East Africa, this plant has become a favorite among both new and experienced gardeners. Apart from its captivating aesthetic value and a lot of health and environmental benefits, the ZZ plant is considered one of the most valuable plants for homes and offices.
Benefits of ZZ Plant
There are many benefits of the ZZ plant which we will discuss in detail:
Aesthetic Appeal
One of the key characteristics of a ZZ plant is the bright, green, and glossy leaves that come with a shiny waxy coat. This makes it well-suited for use indoors and the clean lines and sculpted look make it seem more elegant. In terms of looks, the plant stays green and appealing most of the time with little to no maintenance making it almost a year-round beauty. It, therefore, is a great element for use in interiors with different trends from modern to conventional styles.
Low Maintenance
Another reason is that the ZZ plant requires a very low maintenance level to grow successfully. It requires minimal care to grow and can adapt to different growing conditions which makes it ideal for use by novice growers and those who do not have much time to dedicate to gardening.
Light Requirements:
While the ZZ plant is not a sun lover, it can tolerate low light but would be grateful for filtered light. It also can grow under fluorescent lighting which makes it an appropriate plant in such places as offices and other indoor spaces where there is little access to natural light.
Watering Needs:
The ZZ plant is low watering and moderately dry tolerant and prefers to be watered only occasionally. Unfortunately, it is very susceptible to root rot, so it is important not to overwater it and water it more frequently, but give the soil the time to dry. In general, one can get by with watering them every two to three weeks depending on the conditions in which they are placed.
Soil and Potting:
The ZZ plant requires a well-draining mix, and it can be routinely grown in a cactus or succulent mix. It has slow growth, so repotting can be done once every two to three years because the plant does not outgrow its pot quickly.
Air Purification
This plant is beneficial in maintaining the internal atmosphere within homes and offices by extracting poisonous gases from the air. Research, including that done by NASA for the Clean Air Study, has shown that the ZZ plant effectively purges various chemicals, including xylene, formaldehyde, toluene, and benzene. These are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that are seen in most of the products we use in our households and are known to cause poor indoor air quality that leads to respiratory diseases among human beings. The ZZ plant helps clean the air, this means that by administering the required number of ZZ plants into homes, one is ensuring that the air quality in his house is improving tremendously.
Psychological Stress and Mental Health Enhancement
Examples of some indoor plants are ZZ plants and it has been confirmed that they help reduce stress and even enhance the health of an individual. The presence of greenery can produce a calming atmosphere, which helps reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. Touching plants can also be a functional activity as is all gardening perhaps because it provides order and a sense of accomplishment. Also, having plants, especially at the workplace, has resulted in better performance, more concentration, and even happiness.
Economic Benefit
However, the ZZ plant needs to be bought and is a little expensive if compared to many indoor plants, but if one thinks about its low requirement for care and its longevity, it is worth the initial investment. This means that it does not often need watering, does not often need feeding, and almost does not need replanting, which will for sure reduce the recurrent costs. It also has a long life span as compared to other types and needs less replacement; therefore, it is suitable for use in homes or business premises.
Versatility
In this regard, the ZZ plant has the advantage of being adaptable to most which makes the ZZ plant appropriate for most homes. It would prefer low to medium indirect light, but it could be used in any room of a house or an office. Considering this feature, it may be integrated into different conditions, enhancing the quality of bedrooms, living zones, bathrooms, or working areas. It also shows a higher degree of resistance to fluorescent lighting which makes it as appropriate for commercial applications.
Propagation
As for reproduction, ZZ plant reproduction is very easy, and this implies that anyone who owns a ZZ plant can easily propagate it meaning that there will always be an increased number of ZZ plants that lovers of plants can purchase. There are two main methods of propagation: The major means of reproduction are as follows:
Division:
If one is repotting then one can separate the plant into different chunks and each chunk has its rhizome together with roots. As pointed out by this method it is fast and warrants new plants that are already developed.
Leaf Cuttings:
Plant tissue with a small piece from a plant, preferably a leaf, is used to create a callus which takes one day, and then transfer it to a potting medium. But this method appears to take longer: Nonetheless, new rhizomes and shoots will grow which results in the formation of new plants.
Pest and Disease Resistance
ZZ plant does not require much attention as it is immune to most of the common pests and diseases found in most houseplants. There are practically no diseases or pests that can harm it, such as aphids, spider mites, or mealybugs and the level of chemical intervention is low. This is because it grows naturally and this has made it live longer than most plants and it does not require a lot of maintenance.
Pet Safety Considerations
It is also important to note that the ZZ plant is poisonous when consumed by pets and humans. It consists of calcium oxalate crystals, which provoke inflammation and swelling of the epithelium of the oral cavity and throat. One ought to keep the ZZ plant away from the reach of children or pets or choose varieties that do not pose any threat to their lives. However, owing to its numerous other benefits, the ZZ plant is still a favorite among plant lovers.
Environmental Impact
One of the significant benefits of having interior plants such as the ZZ plant is its ability to enhance the quality of the air in homes. Due to their ability to fix carbon dioxide and release oxygen, plants prevent air pollution within homes. Another advantage of ZZ plants is their capacity to absorb VOCs, which contributes to improving the quality of the indoor air.
Feng Shui and Symbolism
The ZZ plant in Feng Shui is a symbol of wealth and prosperity since the word ‘ZZ’ sounds like ‘treasure’ in Chinese. : Its green leaves symbolize growth, fertility, and prosperity. By placing the ZZ plant in certain regions of the house, including the wealth or prosperity corner, the plant is believed to bring monetary success and good luck. Feng Shui or no feng shui, adding the ZZ plant to your indoor decor has the bonus of adding a positive symbolic energy to your aesthetic.
Conclusion
The ZZ plant is an amazing houseplant with a huge number of advantages described above. The aesthetic beauty, minimal care requirements, and the capability of purifying the air make it perfect for improving homes and workplaces. Furthermore, the functionality, cost-efficiency, and mental functions that are related to the ZZ plant imply that it is an ideal ornamental plant for sustainable interior spaces. Hence, the ZZ plant is an investment that any gardening enthusiast, be it new or old, should consider having since it enhances the quality of living space and our health.
