The ZZ plant that’s sitting in my office window has been with me for years. Other houseplants are always needing a lot of attention and my ZZ plant just keeps growing without causing any fuss.
I’ve seen a lot of ZZ plants do well in both homes and offices and being subjected to different conditions. So I’ve got a good idea of both why they’re so popular and what they bring to your home or space.
This guide will take you through all the benefits of these plants and why it’s a good idea to get one.
1. Cleaner Air
Indoor air can actually be more polluted than outdoor air, as strange as it sounds. But ZZ plants can help with that as they improve the quality of the air.
Walk into any room with a ZZ plant and you’re breathing cleaner air. They do a great job of removing pollutants that can come from innocuous things like paint of new furniture.
If you put one in a your bedroom or office you’ll find the atmosphere becomes lighter and fresher.
Pro Tip: Try putting your ZZ plant where the air tends to get stale. A corner of your guest room or office that doesn’t get much fresh air? That’s the perfect spot for your ZZ plant to help out.
2. Low Maintenance
If you’re someone who has a habit of forgetting to water your plants then this one is for you. As ZZ plants have rhizomes that store water it doesn’t need watering in the same way other plants do. So if you forget to water it for weeks it won’t hold it against you.
Which makes it the perfect plant for anyone who is very busy or travels a lot. I’ve gone on a vacation for a week or two and come back to find my ZZ plant completely happy and unbothered by not having been watered.
Fun Fact: ZZ plants are able to withstand drought as a way of surviving in it’s natural habitat – East Africa. They would have to go long periods without water.
3. Helps You Focus
Do you ever more alert and calm around your plants? That’s not your imagination or all in your head – scientific studies actually back this up.
ZZ plants can boost the oxygen levels in your home and this can help with your focus. It may only be subtle but that lift can make concentrating on tasks a b it easier.
So a good place to put it is on your desk or in your office so you can benefit from its effects on your productivity.
4. Thrives Anywhere
One of my favorite things about the ZZ plant is how it can adapt and grow almost anywhere. Bright, indirect light? No problem. A corner with very little light? It can survive there.
It’s one of the few plants I confidently recommend to people who claim they “can’t keep anything alive.”
| Light Condition | ZZ Plant’s Reaction |
|---|---|
| Low Light | Slower growth but stays healthy |
| Medium Light | Steady growth and glossy leaves |
| Bright Indirect Light | Does best and grows fastest |
5. A Calming Presence
It’s been proven that gardening can have positive effects on your mental health and well being. And looking after a ZZ plant can hardly be considered gardening but just by having it around it can bring peace and calm to your home.
I like looking after my ZZ plant after a long day because it helps me unwind. Just a little dusting of the leaves can be strangely satisfying as well as helping you to bond with your plant.
6. Resistant to Pests
Going up against fungus gnats or spider mites is a total nightmare. And if you’ve already got some houseplants you’ll probably be familiar with these nasty pests.
That’s why ZZ plants are so great – they’re naturally resistant to most pests. As the have very little sap they don’t attract pests in the same way other plants do.
When you do occasionally find mealybugs or scale insects then they’re easy to deal with on ZZ plants. All you have to is wipe the leaves with a cloth or use some neem oil.
I’ve been lucky to only come across mealybugs once and getting rid of them was easy. All I did was dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and target them and that was it.
7. Stylish and Versatile
ZZ plants look great. It’s all subjective I suppose but to me they’re one of if not the best looking houseplant. The glossy leaves and uniform growth stand out when other plants don’t.
They can blend in to most styles, from a very minimalist home to something more akin to a jungle.
As it’s so versatile it’s very popular with interior designers and amateur decorators (like myself!)
8. A Symbol of Good Fortune
In many cultures the ZZ plant is considered a symbol of prosperity and good luck. According to the principles of Feng Shui its upward growth and rounded leaves are associated with wealth and positive energy.
So if you go in for all that you can put it in the wealth corner of your home or near to your desk to improve your chances of success. And even if you’re not convinced by that it can’t hurt to have a beautiful plant by your side.
9. Better Sleep
As mentioned earlier plants release oxygen during the day and take in carbon dioxide at night. ZZ plants release oxygen throughout the night though, not just the day.
Seeing as they do well in lower light you don’t have to worry too much about finding a sunny spot for yours. All you have to do is keep it away from direct airflow (like an air conditioner) so it doesn’t get stressed by fluctuating temperatures.
10. Easy Propagation
If you’re like me you’ll want more ZZ plants once you find how easy to look after they are. Luckily, propagating them is super easy. You can propagate through leaf cuttings, stem cuttings or by dividing the rhizomes:
- Cut the healthy leaf or stem and put it in some water or soil.
- Be patient. It can take a few weeks for the new roots to develop.
- When you’ve got roots move it to a pot with soil that drains well.
I’ve propagated ZZ plants for friends and family and they’ve always loved them.
Final Thoughts
ZZ plants may seem fairly regular but as you can see there’s more to them than that. They’re tough, can purify your air, reduce stress and generally look great around the home.
So what are you waiting for? Get yourself a ZZ plant and enjoy all its wonderful benefits for yourself.
