Luxurious leaves, more like twigs with perfect leaves, fleshy texture, storing roots and super-hardiness made zamioculcas a universal favorite. At the same time, the plant needs the simplest care. In offices and apartments, on the window and in the interior, zamioculcas does not make many demands on the conditions. Its cultivation follows simple principles. “Less is always better” is the credo of careful care of zamiokulkas. And if you remember about the 10 main rules for growing this special plant, there will be no difficulties.
10 rules for growing zamiokulkas at home
Zamioculcas, or Zamik (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) – one of the favorite “green gifts” with the eloquent folk name “dollar tree”. This plant has become extremely popular in the last decade. The austere, graphic, brilliant appearance of zamiokulkas in every sense makes it one of the brightest plants for interiors decorated in modern styles.
Huge, up to 1 m or more, unpaired-pinnate leaves really look like giant twigs. A thick half-meter petiole, unusual storage roots and fleshy textures easily betray the character of this plant. And the glossy shine of a rich dark green color and a beautiful arched curvature of the branches give the zamiokulcas the very effect of perfection. Fans of interesting varieties will be happy to classify variegated varieties of zamioculcas as favorites.
The status of zamiokulkas as a plant that is very easy to grow (and suitable for everyone and everyone) is not exaggerated at all. But difficulties with zamioculcas will not arise only if you carefully study the requirements of the plant itself and its special succulent nature.
Zamioculcas needs careful care, a discreet approach to watering and feeding, as well as the right place. If you do not pour zamioculcas, it is difficult to destroy it. And to avoid other common mistakes will help the observance of the basic rules of agricultural technology for this plant.
Read also our article Zamioculcas – dollar tree.
1. The main thing is to protect the castles from the sun and shade
If, when choosing a place for other indoor plants, it is customary to focus on the maximum brightness of lighting, then for zamiokulkas you need to find the softest medium options. Diffused light or partial shade, placement on the east and west windows, or a little distance from the window are ideal options. After all, zamioculcas equally do not like either direct sun or too strong shading. They usually grow very well inside the interior, as well as on artificial lighting in offices.
For the winter, zamioculcas can be moved closer to the windows to maintain the usual lighting intensity.
2. It is necessary to protect plants not from heat, but from hypothermia
Zamioculcas are often cited as the ideal plant for living rooms due to their ability to cope with heat well. The dollar tree will not be afraid of the heat; it almost does not react to temperature jumps in the positive direction. But attention should be paid to the minimum permissible values and cold drafts, and by all means to protect the zamiokulkas from the cold.
Zamioculcas will be able to survive a cold snap to 12 degrees, but if you do not want to watch the yellowing leaves, it is better to limit yourself to room heat.
3. Safe feeding
Zamioculcas do not tolerate long-term fertilizers and overfeeding. With increasing doses, there is a risk of root burning and loss of decorativeness due to a painful reaction to an excess of nutrients. To avoid mistakes, it is better to halve the standard dose or use special fertilizers for succulents and cacti.
Top dressing for zamiokulkas is appropriate to carry out only in spring and summer, focusing on the growth of the plant. More often than 1 time in 2 weeks, fertilizing is not worth it.
4. Discreet, even scanty watering
In matters of soil moistening for zamioculcas, it is better to choose the same methods as for cacti or succulents: the plants will withstand drought, but not damp.
Watering the plant too abundantly, and even more so pouring, is a sure way to problems. For zamioculcas, water should not stagnate in trays, it is better to water the plant more often, but in moderation. The soil should dry out between these procedures, not only at the top, but also partially in the middle layer. In winter, you need to monitor how the substrate dries out even more carefully.
5. Zamioculcas should not get wet
You need to be careful not only with the amount of water and the frequency of watering, but also with how it is carried out. Zamioculcas should not be watered directly under the root, falling into a stream on the leaf stalks. It is carelessness in watering that most often leads to the loss of a dollar tree due to rot. It is more appropriate to water it along the very edge of the pot, slowly and carefully, in order to protect the plant even from droplets of water.
And, of course, zamioculcas, thanks to the tissues storing water, perfectly tolerate a dry environment. They do not need to increase the humidity of the air by any method, especially by spraying. Souling and washing this plant is all the more unsuitable.
6. Dust is not for the dollar tree
The famous shining type of zamiokulkas does not fit in any way with the dust on the leaves. If there is a plant that needs to be kept clean at all times, it is the dollar tree. Gently removing dust with a damp sponge or cloth is a great option.
Read also our article Cleaning houseplants from dust and dirt.
7. Minimum contacts
Zamioculcas are not the most “contact” plants. Despite the stiffness of the leaves, they are easily injured and are not very suitable for displaying in the aisles. But at the same time, it is not worth “pushing” them into the corner, closer to the wall for protection. The leaves of the zamioculcas should spread freely, and the air should circulate well from all sides. Leaves of castles should not “rest” against glass, walls or furniture. Adults, large zamioculcas require a lot of space and are somewhat similar to a green sculpture in the interior. And it is worth placing them the same way.
8. Zamioculcas do not like frequent “relocations”
Do not disturb the plant for transplantation once again. Zamioculcas do not like changes so much and are so sensitive to root injuries that most often problems with them arise precisely after transplantation. As long as the plant has room to develop, the substrate and the width of the container are not completely filled, there are no signs of a lack of “living space”, it is better not to transplant. And even more so, zamioculcas will not like the annual change of containers.
Zamioculcas does not react very well to large permutations. Changing even the room in which the plant stands, and not just at home, requires a mild adaptation period and as careful handling as possible.
9. Careful change of soil at a “safe” time
Zamioculcas must be transplanted very carefully. And it is advisable not to be alone, so that there is someone to carefully hold the luxurious leaves and monitor the absence of injuries. The roots should be handled very carefully, keeping their usual shallow planting. It is better not to destroy the earth lump.
A special substrate for succulents – light, loose, with perlite or other components that do not allow to thicken over time – is poured gradually, without too much compaction. If the plant is unstable, support must be provided immediately. And do not rush to water the transplanted zamiokulkas immediately: gentle watering is carried out only the next day, and if the substrate for planting is wet, then after 2-3 days.
To avoid problems, it is better to limit the transplantation time for this plant to the first half of spring, March-April. The size of the container should be only slightly larger than the previous ones, but commensurate with the roots. An increase of 2-3 cm is ideal. It is worth checking the quality of the drainage holes and not saving on drainage, the height of which should be up to ⅓ of the height of the pot (at least 5 cm).
10. Love for fresh air
Zamioculcas like to grow where air circulates freely around the plant. And without airing, they are often unpleasantly surprised by even slower growth, faded colors and lethargy. It is necessary to ventilate the rooms regularly, protecting the zamioculcas from cold drafts and temperature changes.
And if possible, in the summer the plants can be sent to fresh air – to the balcony or to the garden, to a shaded place, so that the zamiokulkas grows a little faster, is larger and becomes brighter.
