Emerald Palm (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) Care Indoors, Propagation & Common Problems
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Emerald Palm (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) thrives in bright indirect light, average warmth and humidity, and moderately moist, rich, well-drained soil coupled with monthly feeding in the growing season.
Zamioculcas zamiifolia also called Zanzibar Gem, Zuzu Plant, Aroid Palm or ZZ Plant is one of the hard to kill plants as it is highly tolerant to low light and dry conditions.
Zanzibar Gem is a compact plant with attractive glossy foliage and is among favorite plants for the limited spaces in the home and office space.
Zuzu Plant foliage contains unusually high content of water up to 90% and has an individual leaf longevity of at least 6 months. This explains why the plant can survive extremely well under interior low light levels for up to 4 months without water. It is one of the popular drought-tolerant plants for the home.
Botanical name: Zamioculcas zamiifolia
Family: Araceae
Common names: Emerald Palm, Zanzibar Gem, Zuzu Plant, Aroid Palm, ZZ Plant
Origin
Emerald Palm is the only member of the Zamioculcas genus in the family Araceae. It is a tropical perennial plant native to Eastern Africa, from Kenyan South to Northeastern South Africa. It is among well-liked tropical foliage plants on account of its interesting foliage.
Size
Zamioculcas zamiifolia is a compact plant which grows to a height of 90 cm from a stout underground succulent rhizome. The leaves are pinnate, 40-60 cm long, with 6-8 pairs of leaflets 7-15 cm long; they are smooth, shiny and dark green. The foliage is borne on upright, slightly arching stems which are thickened at the bottom.
Flowers
Emerald Palm flowers are small, bright-yellow to brown or bronze spadix, about 5-7 cm long and partly hidden among the leaf bases.
Air Cleaning
A study done by Department of Plant and Environmental Science at the University of Copenhagen from 2014 shows that Emerald Palm is a good indoor air-cleaner; effective in getting rid common household pollutants like benzene, toluene, xylene and ethylbenzene from indoor air. On the basis of this, ZZ plant is one of the popular plants for for a study desk for increasing concentration and productivity.
Is Zamioculcas zamiifolia toxic?
Yes. The foliage of Zamioculcas zamiifolia is toxic to both humans and pets. If ingested it can cause pain and burning in the mouth and throat, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pains. Contact with the plant sap may cause skin irritation or skin rash in sensitive skin therefore always wear gloves when handling the plant. Keep Emerald Palm from the reach of children and pets avoid any mishaps.
Where to Buy
Would you like to add Emerald Palm to your collection? You may acquire them from Amazon (Link to Amazon).
Zamioculcas zamiifolia Care Indoors
To care for Zamioculcas zamiifolia indoors, provide bright indirect light, warmth of 15-260C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, succulents potting soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Emerald Palm does not require regular repotting as it is a slower grower, needing repotting only when pot-bound. Pruning is necessary to keep it neat as well as discourage pest and disease infestations. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to provide them.
Watering
How often should I water Emerald Palm?
Do not water this plant on a schedule to avoid either overwatering or underwatering as both are detrimental to the plant growth. It is advisable to water this plant on 'need basis' as we have outlined herebelow.
Water your Emerald Palm liberally in spring and summer until water comes out through the drainage hole. Allow the top half of soil to dry out between waterings to keep the soil moderately moist. Take care not to overwater to prevent rotting, yellowing and leaf drop at this plant needs very infrequent watering.
Significantly, cut down on watering in fall and winter to maintain the soil barely moist as growth is minimal at this time. However, do not let the soil dry out completely for a prolonged period as too dry soil can result in wilting, drooping, yellowing and leaf loss.
Use room temperature (tepid) water as consistently watering with cold water will result in cold shock which can lead to stunted growth and leaf drop. In addition, confirm that the water is chlorine-free to avoid browning of leaf tips and edges.
Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole and the soil is well-draining to prevent waterlogging which can lead to rotting of the rhizomes and eventual death of the plant.
When done with watering, discard excess water from the saucer or catchplate to prevent the soil from getting soggy. Avoid wetting the foliage during watering to minimize leaf fungal diseases.
Light Requirements
Does Emerald Palm need full sun?
No. Emerald Palm grows best in bright indirect light (partial shade); place it near a bright, sunless window. Keep it away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching of the leaves.
Zamioculcas zamiifolia can tolerate lower light but it will grow more slowly. However, too little light will resulting in yellowing and weak growth with elongated stems in an attempt to reach the light source. Therefore, if the natural light is too low, instal full spectrum grow lights to add to it.
Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives light on all sides for uniform growth and prevent lopsided growth.
Temperature & Humidity
Emerald Palm prefers a warmth of 15-260C; a temperature that is comfortable for you is ideal for this plant. Keep it away from sources of drafts like AC units, radiators, stoves, windy doors, drafty windows and others as they can cause stunted growth, wilting, yellowing and leaf drop.
Zamioculcas zamiifolia has no need for extra humidity; a humidity of 505-55% is ideal for this plant. Maintain good air flow to prevent fungal diseases infestations.
Fertilizer
Feed your Emerald Palm monthly with a balanced, liquid fertilizer in spring and summer to boost a lush growth. The plant is not a heavy feeder so be careful when feeding to avoid overfeeding. Do not in fall and winter since growth is slow and feeding at this time can cause fertilizer burn.
Potting Soil
The best soil for Zamioculcas zamiifolia should be rich in organic matter, loose and free-draining to avoid sogginess. The soil should be loose enough to allow water to drain out fast enough. Most Cactus and succulents potting mixes are ideal for plant as they drain easily.
Repotting
Emerald Palm is a slow-grower so frequent repotting is not necessary. Repot the plant at the beginning of the growing season, only when crowded in its current pot. Repot into a pot only 1 size larger that has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to rotting. Take a look at these succulents pots on Amazon.
Pruning & Grooming
Pruning ZZ Plant involves removal of any dead leaves and bare stems to keep the plant neat and tidy. The timely removal of dead leaves and bare stems also reduces pests and disease infestations.
Clean the leaves regularly by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to keep them clean and neat as well as discourage pest and disease infestations.
Zamioculcas zamiifolia Propagation
Zamioculcas zamiifolia (Emerald Palm) is propagated at the beginning of the growing season from leaf cuttings or by division of the rhizomes.
1. Emerald Palm propagation from leaf cuttings
- Cut off a leaf complete with the petiole from a healthy plant.
- Insert the leaf petiole into moist, succulents soil and enclose the pot in polythene to create a greenhouse effect.
- Place the set up in a warm, brightly-lit place away from direct sunlight to avoid scorching.
- Keep the soil moist through out. The leaf cutting may take several months to develop roots.
- Once new plantlets have formed at the base, carefully seperate them and pot them in individual pots in well-draining soil.
- Position the pots in a warm, well-lit place and maintain the soil moist until the new plants are well established after which routine care can begin.
2. Emerald Palm propagation by plant division
- Carefully, remove the plant from its pot. Clear most of the soil from the roots.
- Carefully divide the rhizome into several sections by cutting with a sharp, sterilized knife. Ensure each section bears at least two shoots and enough roots for faster establishment.
- Pot the sections in moist, succulents soil in individual pots. Confirm that each pot has a drainage hole to prevent rotting.
- Place the pots in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight to prevent scorching.
- Maintain the soil moist through out until the new plants are well established after which you can begin routine care.
Zamioculcas zamiifolia Problems & Remedies
Emerald Palm common problems are plant dying, yellow leaves, leggy growth, leaf drop, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and their solutions.
Plant dying
Why is my Emerald Palm dying?
The main reason why your Emerald Palm is dying is root-rot disease which is enhanced by soggy soil. It is characterized by general yellowing and browning accompanied by rotting followed by plant collapse.
How to fix it
- Slip the plant out of its pot, wash off the soil and inspect the roots.
- Cut away brown-black, mushy roots as they indicate root-rot. In addition, cut away any stems showing any signs of rot.
- Treat the healthy roots with a copper-based fungicide as recommended by the manufacturer.
- Disinfect the pot with the fungicidal solution or use a fresh pot to repot the plant in fresh soil.
- Use a pot with a drainage hole and well-draining soil to prevent sogginess.
- Drench the soil with the fungicidal solution and place the plant in a warm, brightly-lit spot.
- Withhold watering until when new growth emerges, avoid overwatering and soggy soil thereafter.
Yellow leaves
Why are the leaves on my Emerald Palm turning yellow?
Some of the causes of yellow leaves on your Emerald Palm are caused by too little light, inconsistent watering, soggy soil, temperature stress, salts buildup, pests infestations among others.
How to fix it
Too little light: Position the plant in bright indirect light or use a grow light if the natural lighting is not sufficient.
Inconsistent watering: Water the plant when the top half of soil dries out but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Soggy soil: Use a pot that has a drainage hole and fast-draining soil.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like radiators, AC units, hot air vents, open doors, drafty windows, heat sources among others.
Salts buildup: Occasionally, leach out excess salts by running a stream of water through the soil until it comes out through the drainage hole.
Pests infestations: Regularly inspect the plant for pests and take timely control measures.
Leggy growth
Leggy growth (elongated stems) on Emerald Palm is caused by too little light, underwatering, nutrients deficiency or aging.
How to fix it
Too little light: Move the plant to a brighter spot where it will receive bright indirect light or instal a grow light if the natural light is not enough.
Underwatering: Water when the top half of of soil dries out but never allow the soil ball to dry out completely for a long period.
Nutrients deficiency Feed the plant with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks in spring and summer.
Leaf drop
Leaf drop on Emerald Palm is caused by inconsistent watering, soggy soil, too little light or temperature stress.
How to fix it
Inconsistent watering: Water the plant when the top half of soil feels dry and do not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Soggy soil: Use a pot twith a drainage hole and free-draining soil.
Too little light: Place the plant in a brighter spot where it will receive bright indirect light or use a grow light if the natural light is not adequate.
Temperature stress: Keep the plant away from sources of drafts like hot air vents, AC units, radiators, open doors, drafty windows, heat sources among others.
Pests
Emerald Palm is very resistant to pests but weak plants can be attacked by mealybugs, aphids, scales and spider mites which are common in dry conditions.
How to fix it
- Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to other plants.
- Treat the affected plant with neem oil or insecticidal soap as per the manufacturer's instructions.
- Regularly inspect the plant for these pests and take timely control measures.
- Keep the plant well pruned to reduce the pests populations.
- Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or group the plants together to increase humidity to discourage the pests.
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