Zamioculcas Zamiifolia

It is a herbaceous perennial growing to 45–60 centimetres (18–24 in) tall, from a stout underground, succulent rhizome. It is normally evergreen, but becomes deciduous during drought, surviving drought due to the large potato-like rhizome that stores water until rainfall resumes. The leaves are pinnate, 40–60 cm (16–24 in) long, with 6–8 pairs of leaflets 7–15 cm (3–6 in) long; they are smooth, shiny, and dark green. The stems of these pinnate leaves are thickened at the bottom. The flowers are produced in a small bright yellow to brown or bronze spadix 5–7 cm (2–3 in) long, partly hidden among the leaf bases; flowering is from mid summer to early autumn. Zamioculcas zamiifolia contains an unusually high water contents of leaves (91%) and petioles (95%) and has an individual leaf longevity of at least six months, which may be the reason it can survive extremely well under interior low light levels for four months without water. The roots of the plants are rhizomatous and have the ability to store moisture, thus aiding the plants in their drought resistance. For this reason, the plant should be watered only when it is dry, to avoid overwatering. A commonly-held notion among gardeners is “If you water the ZZ plant more than you pay your rent, it’s too much” (I.e.; once a month, possibly twice, watering is more than sufficient). They also require superior drainage, with lots of chunky, rocky and inert materials mixed into their soil. They’re known to survive in relatively dark, indoor areas of homes and buildings, and can live in full shade to indirect sunlight. However, lower light is not optimal in most cases; insufficient amounts of sunlight can result in leaves lengthening and/or falling off, yellowing (chlorosis), and generally uneven or disproportionate growth (as the plant stretches towards a light source).