The ZZ plant, or Zamioculcas zamiifolia, is a popular houseplant known for its glossy, deep-green foliage and resilience. Originating from the dry grasslands of East Africa, this plant is naturally engineered for survival and can tolerate periods of neglect. While its hardiness makes it perfect for beginners, its growth pace is often described as slow compared to many other houseplants. This rate is not fixed, however, and can be significantly influenced by its environment.
The Characteristic Growth Rate of ZZ Plants
The ZZ plant’s growth is driven by water-storing rhizomes, which are thick, tuberous structures underground. These rhizomes function as energy storage units, allowing the plant to conserve resources during dry periods. Because the plant prioritizes developing these tubers, above-ground growth often appears slow. New growth occurs in sporadic, rapid bursts known as “flushes.” A flush involves a new stalk emerging from the rhizome at the soil line, quickly unfurling its leaflets within a few weeks. While a ZZ plant may only produce one or two major stalks annually in poor conditions, brighter, warmer environments can lead to multiple flushes during the active spring and summer growing season.
Key Environmental Factors Modifying Growth Speed
The most powerful factor adjusting the ZZ plant’s growth speed is the light it receives. While the plant survives in very low light, it will not thrive or grow quickly, entering a state of energy conservation instead. To initiate consistent growth flushes, the plant requires bright, indirect light, such as from an east-facing window or a few feet away from a south- or west-facing exposure. Harsh, direct midday sun should be avoided, as this can scorch the waxy leaves and halt growth.
Watering habits also stimulate the plant to move from survival mode to growth mode. Due to the rhizomes, the soil must be allowed to dry out completely between waterings to prevent root rot. During the active growing season, consistent and deep watering once the soil is dry provides the necessary hydration to signal the plant that it is safe to expend energy on new shoots. Inconsistent or insufficient watering causes the plant to fall back on stored energy reserves, resulting in stalled growth.
Temperature is another primary factor influencing the plant’s metabolic rate. ZZ plants are tropical and grow optimally when temperatures are consistently maintained between 65 and 85°F. If the temperature drops below 65°F, the plant’s metabolism slows dramatically, putting it into a state of near-hibernation regardless of the light and water it receives. Keeping the plant in a warm, stable location away from cold drafts is important for encouraging active development.
Techniques for Encouraging New Shoots
To push the ZZ plant toward faster growth, intervention with nutrients and root management is necessary. Fertilization provides the fuel for new shoots, but it must be timed correctly to match the plant’s natural cycle. Apply a balanced, liquid houseplant fertilizer, diluted to half or quarter strength, once a month during the spring and summer. Fertilizing in the fall or winter dormancy is counterproductive and can lead to a buildup of salts in the soil.
The root system structure can also encourage growth. ZZ plants prefer to be slightly root-bound, which helps regulate moisture and maintain stability. If the rhizomes are severely restricted and beginning to deform the pot, repotting can trigger a growth spurt. When repotting, only move up to a pot one to two inches wider than the current container, giving the rhizomes space to expand and push out new growth.
Routine maintenance, like pruning, helps redirect the plant’s energy stores. Removing yellowed, damaged, or old stalks allows the plant to stop wasting resources on declining foliage. This focused energy is then diverted back into the rhizome system, building reserves to produce the next flush of healthy, new shoots.