10 ZZ Plant Benefits: A Natural Air Purifier for Your Home or Office

Zamioculcas Zamiifolia or Zanzibar Gem also commonly known as ZZ plant certainly is a true natural gem for your home and office spaces.

Thanks to its versatility; growing and nurturing this plant is a delightful experience. It’s sheen appearance and dark green color add an elegant touch to your decor. Its low maintenance and beauty make it a popular choice among every group of people. If you nourish it with tropical care it will bless you with numerous benefits. So let’s talk about the ZZ plant benefits at home.

Maintaining this glorious plant is undoubtedly simple, but curious minds are always eager to take a deep dive for encyclopedic information. 

So,  before we move to the beneficial factors let’s get a clear overview of this wholesome plant.

What is the ZZ plant?

ZZ plants belong to the Araceae family. It is a tropical plant and aboriginal to eastern Africa, and generally grown for ornamental purposes. 

It has wide, dark green, and thick leaves. Sheen and quite reflective leaves help to brighten the room. Indoor ZZ plants’ growth rate is typically slow. These plants are usually 3-4 inches tall and 3 feet broad. Stems and leaves are utilized for propagation.

Overview of ZZ plants

Even though the name ZZ plant is known worldwide, it has various names such as Zuzu plant, Zanzibar gem, Zuzu plant, or emerald palm.  The Dutch first introduced the ZZ plant to Europe during the 18th century.

It was in the 1990s when the plant experienced a surge in popularity when South African nurseries started propagating and distributing the plant worldwide. 

Quick facts about ZZ plants:

Life span: Average life span is ten years. But these plants are heirlooms. They pass their generations.

Flowers: produce flowers but it’s rare, they have clubby flowers like peace lilies. 

Leaf structure:  The plant’s glossy leaves can reach lengths of up to 60 cm and feature 6 to 8 pairs of leaflets.
Flowering season: mid-summer

Why ZZ plant?

You are probably wondering why ZZ plants and not others from the same species. Well, the benefits of ZZ plant hold additional significance in the realm of succulents. To be specific, when you will discover the benefits of ZZ plant you will realize that this low-maintenance beauty doesn’t need any comparison or second thought.

Benefits of ZZ plants

Having indoor plants around your house has the ability to enhance indoor air quality and improves productivity. Let’s take a deep dive into the ZZ plant benefits and explore how you can integrate this plant into your comfortable dwelling.

Air purifying

A study from the University of Copenhagen proved by comparing different houseplants, that benefits of ZZ plant are highly efficient for indoor air purification. 

They effectively remove toxic compounds from the air such as formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, and toluene. This aspect makes the benefits of ZZ plant one of the rare plants that serve as a good companion in your bedroom or office spaces.

Low maintenance

ZZ plants are mostly loved by plant lovers for their easygoing personality. 

With just by little attention once in a while, these plants can thrive for years. They are equipped to tolerate a wide range of soil, light, and atmosphere making them ideal for new plant parents. 

It doesn’t require excessive pruning or high-level fertilizers as well. Regular liquid fertilizer once in a while is all they need.

Low light, water, and humidity

They can tolerate the brightest place in your house, the darkest place in your house as well as the artificial light in your house. But you shouldn’t place it in direct sunlight or you will end up with droopy, yellowish leaves.

They are forgiving of your forgetful nature. This means if you forget to water it for days it will still be fine with it for quite some time. They can go up to a month without a single drop of water. But it is recommended to water it once every two weeks. 

ZZ plants are born survivors and can combat a wide range of humidity levels. There is no need for any specific humidity requirements, a regular indoor environment is enough for them to grow well. So ZZ plants benefits at home undoubtedly come with less care.

Easy to propagate

Owning one healthy ZZ plant is value for your money as they are easy to multiply. Propagation of the ZZ plant is a quite straightforward process. Just by cutting stems or leaves you can revive the existing one or cultivate a new one. ZZ plants have rootstocks that are located at the base and when you cut a stem new roots sprout from its base.

Leaf-cutting method: In this method of propagation you need to cut a leaf with a tiny bit of stem and place it in the soil, do it with more leaves for more chances and positive results. Water it whenever the soil gets dry. This process is slower than stem cutting.

Stem cutting method: Stem propagation works for many plants and the process is the same for ZZ plants as well. After cutting a stem submerge it carefully in water and place it near your window to get an ample amount of sunlight. Change the water every week. Once the rootstocks are visible place them in a proper drainage pot. Two inches of potting soil is ideal to facilitate optimal growth.

Aesthetic or decorative qualities

One of the prominent ZZ plant benefits comes from the sheen appearance of the foliage and it is the most notable feature of this plant. People often mistook it for an artificial plant due to its vibrant color and striking beauty. 

Simply placing this tall, dark beauty in a room can tune up the ambiance of a boring decorative house with its tropical vibe. 

Dusting is needed to keep its beauty.

Medicinal benefits

ZZ plants are rich in antioxidants. They contain a high amount of steroids, triterpenoids, flavonoids, and polyphenols.

In Tanzania and Malawi, ZZ plant benefits are notable among locals as they have been using the extract of this plant for years as a part of their traditional medicine. They use it to reduce earache. The plant’s active compounds of anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective effects, making it useful in traditional medicine in South Africa.  The leaves of this plant are generally used to treat stomach disorders, while the plant as a whole is used to soothe the inflammatory condition of Mshipa.

Drought resistance

If you are living somewhere where the sun is a scorching majority of the year, the ZZ plant will give you company to survive the harsh weather. 

They are adaptable to harsh environments. They store water in their roots to survive extreme weather.

Feng shui/ spiritual benefits

ZZ plant is a perfect feng shui plant. Feng shui experts believe that keeping  ZZ plants in the southeast, south, and eastern corners of your house brings good fortune to the house and family. 

Having a ZZ plant benefits your house or office space by bringing harmony and helps in more success and gain opportunities. It’s an ideal housewarming present for new homeowners. 

The plant’s steady and dedicated growth, surviving nature, and consistency evoke encouragement and positivity toward life.

Resistance to pests

Even thorough flies or aphids might linger around your plant but we can assure you that your plant will never face a mass pesticide attack. ZZ plants lack sap in their stems and leaves for pests to feed on, so the chances of getting attacked by them are deemed to be none. 

Natural neem oil can give ZZ plant benefits to get rid of those common flies.

Stress reduction

Being surrounded by plants stimulates creativity and just like any other plant, the ZZ plant benefits you by providing a sense of relaxation, reducing stress, improve mood. 

Having a ZZ plant around your reading area makes the experience much more pleasurable. 

Its capability of boosting productivity and therapeutic benefits makes it a popular choice for the interior in workplaces.

Co2 reduction

When it goes through crassulacean acid metabolism(CAM) it absorbs co2 from the air during the night. This particular feature makes the benefits of ZZ plant a superior fit for your bedroom.

ZZ plants requirements/care/maintenance

The ZZ plants require minimal attention to serve their purposes.  they are equipped to tolerate draught-prone conditions. these plants grow via rhizomes that retain water in the soil. The little care that your plant needs are:

Light

ZZ plants can tolerate any amount of light. But if you put it in a dark spot for days it may start to look wimpy. ZZ plant benefits from bright indirect sunlight as it is ideal for them to flourish. Near the south-facing window is their superior spot.

Temperature

Regular room temperature and humidity are enough for them to grow well. However, if we talk about the best temperature and humidity for their optimal growth and reproduction it would be 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit and 40% humidity. Below 45 degrees Fahrenheit might slow their activities. Also if the weather is too dry you can use a humidifier to increase the humidity level.

Nutrients

ZZ plant benefits from well-draining soil. You can mix common garden soil with sand to enhance its drainage capacity. Regular fertilizer is not necessary for these plants, feeding them with liquid fertilizers once a month is enough.

Water

ZZ plants are mainly known for their drought resistance. But you shouldn’t leave them in completely dry soil. Watering is required twice a month during winter and more than that if the temperature is high. Remember the more natural light it gets the more water it requires.

Repotting

If the roots are exerting at the edge of the pot or deforming it, it’s a sign that your pot is running out of space for its roots. Repot them in a pot with a well-drainage system.

Display your ZZ plants

One of the most important benefits of ZZ plant is to create the best interior for bigger-sized rooms. You can go for small plants too but you need to prune and shape is regularly as their growth is quite unpredictable. However, you can showcase these green leafy beauties in various places in your house. Here are some of our favorites:

• Workspace: ZZ plants are known for bringing positive vibes, so keeping one around your workspace is indeed helpful. 

• Bedroom: keeping ZZ plant in your bedroom will greet you with various perks mainly a shooting and healthy environment as they absorb carbon dioxide at night.  

• Living room: while fitting into the interior of your living room this plant will drive away all negative energy. 

• Kitchen: if you are someone who believes that you need plants in every single corner of your house, even in the kitchen, choosing a ZZ plant would be favorable. Your kitchen’s atmosphere and temperature are different than other parts of the house and these plants can be accustomed in any circumstances. 

Indoor and outdoor

Outdoor: if you are growing ZZ plants outdoors it’s best to keep them in partial sun instead of direct sunlight. Direct sunlight might harm the leaves. Your plant will not tolerate below 5 degrees Celsius well, also you will need a once or twice-a-week watering routine during summer. 

Indoor: ZZ plants are well-adaptable in indoor settings. Maintenance is way lesser than having it outdoors. But you keep some things in mind: no overwatering, well-drainage pot, watering once a month during winter and once a week during summer.

Types of ZZ plants

There are four most common types of ZZ plants

• The dwarf ZZ plant: These are smaller than regular ZZ plants. Its tiny size makes it ideal for tabletop or selves. Their maintenance is similar to those of other regular-sized ZZ plants.  

• ZZ raven plant: Even though they are newly introduced in the US indoor plant world, it catches attention quickly for their raven-like dark color. If you keep it in dim light for months it will turn almost completely black over time. 

• Lucky plant: This variant has foliage of round, feather-like leaves. The best circumstances for its optimal growth are well-draining pot and soil and indirect light.

• Dark Zamicro: You can say it’s the dwarf version of Raven ZZ. They possess similar characteristics as well. The only difference is the height. While Raven ZZ grows 3 or more feet tall, Zamicro grows no more than 2 feet.

Cons of ZZ plants

The whole plant contains calcium oxalate crystals and consumption of those creates some toxic effects on pets as well as humans. Vomiting and swelling are common symptoms in pets while human suffers from burning and painful urination. 

Conclusion

Summing up, you can say why ZZ plants are a popular choice among indoor gardeners.  ZZ plant benefits go way further than just sitting and looking pretty. They possess a positive aesthetic and tropical ambiance, and ZZ plant benefits are plenty. Now that you are familiar with the ZZ plant’s varieties and ZZ plant benefits we hope you will choose one for yourself wisely.

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