ZZ Plant Plant Buying Guide In New Zealand – Care Tips & More

The ZZ Plant is a top pick for low-light homes across New Zealand. While it thrives best in medium to bright, indirect light, it’s one of the few indoor plants that does well in shady rooms.
🌞 Ideal for: Bedrooms, bathrooms, or entryways with filtered light.
🌥️ Still survives in: South-facing rooms or spaces with artificial light.
🔥 Avoid: Direct, all-day sun from north or west-facing windows—especially in peak summer.

🛋️ Living Room: Tuck into a corner near a window—looks lush without overwhelming space.
🛏️ Bedroom: Place on a bedside table or dresser for low-effort greenery.
🛁 Bathroom: Yes—if there’s even a small frosted window. ZZ tolerates lower humidity and light.
🧾 Office or Entryway: Adds life without taking up precious real estate.

ZZ Plants (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) thrive in a wide range of indoor temperatures, making them perfect for year-round growth across New Zealand homes and apartments.
✅ Ideal Temperature Range:
‍Daytime: 18–26°C
‍Nighttime: No colder than 10°C
‍Tolerates: Occasional temperature drops, but avoid sudden cold drafts or placing near open windows during winter

ZZ Plants are known for their sleek, upright growth and glossy, symmetrical leaves that emerge from thick, waxy stalks. Their structured, modern appearance makes them a favorite in both minimal and boho-style interiors.

ZZs grow slowly, but steadily. Over time, a healthy ZZ plant can reach about 60 to 90 cm tall and wide indoors. Some mature plants may grow slightly taller if given ideal lighting, but their tidy, vertical shape means they don’t sprawl or take over a room.

Each stem grows in an arching, vase-like formation, with rows of shiny, oval leaves that resemble feathers or coins. New growth starts out a vibrant light green, eventually darkening as it matures — especially noticeable in varieties like Raven ZZ or Chameleon.

If you want a houseplant that basically takes care of itself, the ZZ Plant is it. Known for being one of the lowest-maintenance indoor plants, it’s perfect for anyone who forgets to water or travels often.

✅ Watering
ZZ Plants store moisture in their rhizomes (thick underground tubers), which means they’re extremely drought-tolerant.
Only water when the soil is completely dry — usually every 2–3 weeks. In winter, you can stretch it even longer. Overwatering is the fastest way to kill a ZZ, so when in doubt, wait

🌱 Feeding
Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength during the growing season (spring to early autumn).
Once or twice a month is plenty — ZZs don’t need much to thrive.

🧼 Cleaning
Dust the leaves gently with a damp cloth every few weeks. Since ZZs often live in lower-light areas, keeping the leaves clean helps with photosynthesis.

✂️ Pruning
Minimal pruning is needed. Just remove yellowing or old stems at the base with clean scissors.

⏱️ Time Commitment Summary:
✅ Water: Every 2–3 weeks
✅ Fertilize: 1–2× per month (spring–autumn)
✅ Dust: Monthly
✅ Prune: Occasionally
🛑 No misting or high humidity needed

ZZ Plants are more than just trendy—they’re long-term companions. With proper care, a ZZ Plant can easily live for 10 to 15 years or more indoors, making it one of the most enduring houseplants you can own. These plants grow slowly but steadily, producing new shoots from the base over time. Don’t be surprised if your ZZ only puts out a few new stems per year—this is totally normal. The reward is a plant that stays neat, manageable, and attractive for years to come.

Yes — ZZ Plants are toxic if ingested. While they’re safe to touch, every part of the plant contains calcium oxalate crystals, which can irritate the mouth, throat, and stomach if chewed or swallowed.

✅ Well-Draining Pot with Drainage Holes: Choose a ceramic, plastic, or nursery-style pot with proper drainage. ZZs hate sitting in water, so this is essential to prevent root rot.
✅ Light, Airy Potting Mix: ZZ Plants need a mix that dries out quickly.
Alternatively, look for a pre-mixed cactus or succulent blend.
✅ Gentle Liquid Fertilizer: Use a balanced houseplant fertilizer at ½ strength every few weeks during the growing season (spring to early autumn). Organic options like fish emulsion or seaweed are great, too.
✅ Microfiber Cloth or Leaf Wipes: Keep those glossy leaves shiny and efficient at photosynthesis by gently wiping off dust monthly.
✅ Clear Propagation Vessel (Optional)If you want to try your hand at leaf propagation, a small clear glass with fresh water is all you need to start seeing roots in a few months.

💡 Bonus: If your ZZ comes in a nursery pot, consider a stylish cover pot to elevate the look while keeping drainage practical.