Zamioculcas zamiifolia (16/01/2016, Kew Gardens, London)
Position: Bright to low indirect sunlight
Flowering period: Mid summer to early autumn
Soil: Moist, free draining
Eventual Height: 75cm
Eventual Spread: 75cm
Hardiness: 11, 12, 13
Family: Araceae
Zamioculcas zamiifolia is a slow growing evergreen tropical perennial plant with a clump forming habit. Its shiny dark green leaves emerge directly from its rhizomes amd are pinnate, up to 60cm long and 25cm across. Its leaflets are ovate with entire margins, up to 12cm long and 6cm across. Its yellow/ brown flowers appear as a 7cm long spadix. Its roots are succulent rhizomes from which new leaves appear.
Zamioculcas zamiifolia Leaf (16/01/2016, Kew Gardens, London)
Zamioculcas zamiifolia, commonly known as Zanzibar Gem, ZZ Plant or Eternity Plant, is native to Kenya and north east South Africa. In its native habitat it grows on tropical forest, dry grasslands and lightly shaded stony ground. Zamioculcas zamiifolia is synonymous with Caladium zamiifolium.
The etymological root of the binomial name Zamioculcas is derived from the names of two genus of plant, namely Zimia and Colocasia. Zamiifolia is derived from the name for the genus Zimia and the Latin folium meaning ‘leaf’.
The landscape architect may find Zamioculcas zamiifolia useful as an attractive foliage houseplant suitable for bright or low light conditions. Once established this plant is drought tolerant, however it will drop its leaves during these periods.
Zamioculcas zamiifolia Stem (16/01/2016, Kew Gardens, London)
Ecologically, Zamioculcas zamiifolia is of little value to wildlife in the UK.
Zamioculcas zamiifolia prefers moist, fertile, free draining soils. It tolerates most pH of soil. This plant dislikes wet soil.
When maintaining Zamioculcas zamiifolia as a houseplant soil should be kept moist, but not wet. It requires a minimum temperature of 15ºc, preferring a temperature rage of between 18ºc to 26ºc. Once established feeding with weak solution should be carried out once a month during the growing season. It is recommended that leaf shine not be used on this plant.
Landscape Architecture