My daughter picked up this beautiful plant at a street fair in NYC. I've had it for 2-3 months. It remains healthy and has thick, rubbery stems---larger at the base. The leaves have a sheen and they are somewhat smooth. The tallest shoot is approximately 70-75 cm long. It is potted in a pot that is approximately 20 cm wide and 10-15 cm deep. Does anyone know what this plant is and its proper care? A picture is attached. Thanks.
This is a plant commonly know as a ZZ, Zamioculcas zamiifolia. Do not overwater as they have tubers instead of roots, make sure it is in a deeper pot with good drainage, and wipe off the leaves now and then. HTH Jennifer http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/2142/
Actually, there is a great deal of differing opinion on how to care for Zamioculcas zamiifolia among professional growers including curators of accredited botanical gardens. We've had one in our tropical atrium for close to two years and it is watered at the same rate as all our tropical species (very wet) and thrives. You can read some of the differing opinions here: http://www.botanicalgarden.ubc.ca/forums/showthread.php?t=29376&highlight=Zamioculcas+zamiifolia The plant is an aroid and is found naturally in a near desert condition in Africa. However, as you can read from the opinions of these botanical experts, it is quite adaptable. The information on the other plant site referenced regarding it being "poisonous" is quite over stated. I certainly would not recommend eating calcium oxalate crystals for the fun of it, but I promise, you eat the compound almost each and every day! Especially if you are a vegetarian. Ever eat spinach? In some plants it tastes very bad and can cause burning in the mouth. In one genus, Dieffenbachia , it has been found to be deadly in a couple of cases. Spinach has a very high natural concentration of calcium oxalate crystals and I don't recall hearing of mass death from eating the veggie anytime recently. Cooking does not modify the chemical compound. Here's more information on that subject including scientific references: http://www.exoticrainforest.com/Calcium oxalate crystals.html
It is true that there are differences in opinions on the care of this plant, as there are for almost every plant that exists. It is said however, that if you can kill a ZZ, you have no right owning houseplants ;). It's a very adaptable, and extremely easy plant to care for. Enjoy it :D
I believe the value of the differences of opinion in the quotes is many of these quotes came from curators, botanists and experts at accredited botanical gardens and universities. The original quotes can be found in the archive of Aroid l which is a part of the International Aroid Society. You can go to the IAS website, click on Aroid l, and find the original quotes with the names and titles of those who posted them. There are certainly many opinions of plant growers, but I am forced to put extra value in the opinions of accredited botanical experts. http://www.aroid.org/aroid_l/index.html http://www.hort.net/lists/aroid-l/aug07/
