The Planting of ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

With the planting of ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) begins another (endless) cycle of tributes of “Kalliergeia”, this time for this wonderful ornamental plant.

And if one day the circle miraculously closes, the ambition of the editorial team is to have largely given an overall picture to the plant lover, for the general care required by ZZ Plant and the ways of its propagation.

Of course, it is an almost indisputable fact that Zanzibar Gem is a plant that owes part of its exceptional popularity nowadays to the fact that it requires very little maintenance, whether it is in a pot or planted in the garden soil.

However, it does not cease to be a living organism that flourishes and thrives the more care it receives. In this light, we think that a cycle of tributes to the domestic cultivation and care of the plant is sufficiently justified – let alone that it takes us as an editorial team out of the trouble of constantly looking for new and more or less interesting topics.

Thus, this introductory article covers the issue of planting in pots and in the garden (where climatic conditions allow), and specifically refers to the propper season, means, as well as the process of planting.

However, as a prelude, a series of more general actions are proposed that concern the care of ZZ Plant as a whole, for which is called the plant lover to pay special attention.

… As much as if he/she was at a ZZ Top concert.

The Planting of ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

Before ZZ Plant’s new friend dives into the dark and bottomless depths to acquire the necessary knowledge about planting it, it is considered useful to learn first and foremost what he/she should not do when dealing with Zamioculcas zamiifolia.

So it is briefly stated that:

• He/She should not touch the plant with bare hands
• He/She should not use leaf shines
• He/She should not leave the plant immobile

Less concisely and more analytically, the first categorical “He/She should not” is presented immediately below, while the rest will be discussed in detail in the article on plant care.

The Planting of ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

Gone are the days when gloves were an essential accessory of elegance. Now the gloves are worn mainly for precaution and this is exactly the case with ZZ Plant.

The reason that makes the use of gloves mandatory in most treatments of the plant, is that its sap is irritating to the skin – at least to sensitive people.

But as long as we’re on the subject, Zamioculcas zamiifolia is not only irritating to the skin, it is generally toxic or more precisely moderately toxic.

Almost all of its plant parts contain calcium oxalate, which means that it is not eaten partially or at all – even if we wear gloves on the table.

The Planting of ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

The Zamioculcas zamiifolia is not only a houseplant, but can also be planted in the garden, where climatic conditions allow it, ie where the minimum temperature does not fall below -6 ° C.

But regardless of whether it will be planted in the garden or in the pot, the soil or soil mixture should meet the requirements of the plant.

In general it could be said that suitable soil for planting ZZ Plant is that:

• It has perfect drainage and does waterlogged
• It is fairly fertile
• It is rich in organic matter
• It is characterized as sandy loam
• It has a pH slightly acidic to neutral, with the optimal one taking values between 6 and 6.5

The best seazon to plant Zanzibar Gem in the garden, in the Northern Hemisphere, starts around the end of spring or the beginning of summer.

Then the minimum air temperature at night is constantly above 16 °C, allowing it to be planted uneventfully.

If the soil of the garden meets all the conditions described above for the proper development of ZZ Plant, then all that remains is to plant it.

However because outside the natural growth zone of the plant such a thing is almost impossible, soil transformation becomes mandatory.

The soil mixtures offered for substrates on the market are many, and the plant lover of Zamioculcas zamiifolia can choose from the best, which are suitable for this category of plants.

On the other hand, of course, if he/she wants to create the soil mixture by him/herself but does not know how, that’s what “Kalliergeia” is for, in order to confide only in them materials and proportions, such as the following, that contribute to the creation of a perfect substrate which consists of:

• 1 part of garden soil
• 1 part of river sand
• 2 parts neutral pH compost
• 1 part peat moss

The Planting of ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

The Planting of ZZ Plant in the garden or in the bed begins when everything is ready. The process evolving by simple steps which is recommended to be followed by the plant lover as are described immediately below.

• A pit is dug one and a half to twice the height of the pot, and one and a half to twice its diameter wide (and if it is possible it would be beneffit to leave it open for about 2 weeks)
• At the bottom of the pit spread gravel, or pumice, or zeolite 2 to 3 cm high
• Pour the soil mixture to the height where the collar of the plant is at the same level as the soil surface.
• The pit is partially filled with the soil mixture, pressing it lightly each time
• Abundant watering follows, but avoiding the creation of waterlogged phenomena

The Planting of ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

What has been said about the properties of the soil or soil mixture for planting of ZZ Plant in the garden also applies to planting it in a pot. If there is a relative difference this concerns the weights of the materials involved in the mixture and the possibility of replacing them with lighter ones.

For example, perlite can take the place of river sand, while pumice can take the place of gravel.

The planting of ZZ Plant in the pot, or more precisely the transplanting, takes place after the first spring wave of new growth, ie from mid-March and / or April – for the colder areas – being the most suitable season.

For the succession of transplants, the plant lover should also keep in mind that:

• The first five years, and after the first spring wave of new growth should transplant almost every year the plant into a slightly larger pot
• From the sixth year onwards will transplant the plant only when the pots are filled with its roots or protrude

In case the plant lover does not want to procure ready-made high quality potting mix, suitable for the category of houseplants to which ZZ Plant belongs, but wishes to make the soil mixture by him/herself, then here is a recipe (meant only for him/her):

• 1 part charcoal
• 2 parts perlite
• 4 parts compost
• 3 parts peat moss

The Planting of ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

Once the soil mixture has been prepared and the pot, which has holes in the bottom, has been procured, the plant lover can start transplanting.

The process evolving by simple steps which is recommended to be followed by the plant lover as are described immediately below.

• The holes are covered with fragments of an old clay pot or other similar material, in such a way that they do not clog by the soil mixture
• Pour the soil mixture to the height where the collar of the plant is about 2 cm below the rim of the pot
• Fill the pot partially with the soil mixture, which is lightly pressed by hand each time
• Watering follows, and at the areas where the soil mixture may settle, it is completed, and the watering is repeated
• After 10 to 15 minutes, the water is emptied from the saucer of the pot

The Planting of ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

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