10 Types of Zz Plants: The Best Varieties Anyone Can Grow

Types of ZZ plants of the Araceae family are significant for many plant lovers due to their magnificent foliage and low maintenance. These Zamioculcas genus plants have exceptional air-purifying qualities that every home deserves.

If you wish to bring one home today, look at the various types below to help you choose. Here is everything that you need to know about growing the zamioculcas zamiifolias.

Types of ZZ Plants To Choose From

1. The ZZ Variegata

The ZZ Variegata is an aroid that gets its name from the plant genus Zamia. 

– Origins

It is native to Eastern and Southern Africa and is referred to as Zanzibar Gem. It belongs to the Araceae plant family. Furthermore, it is rare and harder to find, unlike the other varieties making it unique.

– Characteristics

This plant, when grown indoors, filters the air of toxins through its stems and leaves. It is eye-catching and a happy plant that thrives with little fresh air and low light requirements. It comes in two cultivars, white and gold.

Variegata is widely loved for its outstanding glossy foliage splashed with green, white, and yellow colors. It is one of the best choices among busy gardeners as it is easygoing and low maintenance.

This plant grows to about three feet tall and wide, tolerating drought and dry climates. It is suitable for landscaping as it does not use much water. 

– Growth Requirements

This ZZ plant propagation is through leaflets or stem cuttings. It does not thrive under direct sunlight; it loves medium to low sunlight.   Indoor plants can also do well in moderate to low sunlight. Add a fluorescent light if you grow them in a room with no window.

Water it only after the soil dries to prevent root rot. During summer, water once a week or two weeks, and once a month in the winter.

This plant requires fast-draining soils with a pH of 5.6 to 7.5. It thrives in USDA zones 9a to 11. Fertilize it once a month during its active growing phase for prolific growth. You can re-pot it once every two years into a larger pot. Prune the drying foliage to encourage new growth. 

2. White Variegata

This ZZ white Variegata cultivar is a rare specimen due to its genes that result in white spots, patches, or speckles on the leaves. 

– Valuable Plant

This is a valuable plant and the effects or its colors is what makes it pricy. The effects are for the better as they make this plant more unique and more featured than the other plants, if you are willing to buy zz plant.

This cultivar is costly due to its unique color, and in most cases, you will have to book from nurseries or online plant stores to get this plant type.

– Characteristics

The white Variegata has white leaves with green spots on the surface instead of green and yellow. They might also turn cream, silver, or gray. In addition, it would even have rays of different colors on the leaves.

– Growing Conditions

This plant thrives in well-drained soils and medium to low light, just like its original variegate cultivar, and this is for that stunning look. You can grow it in your office, home, or outdoors and allow it to stand out with its magnificent color.

3. Gold Variegata

Gold zz Variegata cultivar is a beautiful houseplant with colorful golden-yellow creamy white foliage against fleshy green stems, and sometimes even simple yellow leaves.

This plant’s myriad-hued leaves make it outstanding and expensive but worth the money. This unique plant is rare and hard to find commonly n nurseries. In most cases, you have to book to get it. 

– Characteristics

This plant’s leaves are strikingly gold to yellow to bright cream color. The stems and other leaves are green, bringing a beautiful contrast. 

– Growing Requiremnts

This plant needs moderate to low sunlight due to the insufficient chlorophyll content on the leaves. All the other growing conditions match the main ZZ Variegata plant, because this is a frequently asked notion that most people would trip over. 

4. The Raven ZZ Plant

The Raven, or dark beauty, is relatively new in the US plant market as it was introduced in 2019. 

– Market Attributes

It is a unique patented plant that only sells in licensed and regulated nurseries. The price tag is pretty high compared to the regular variegata in the market. Raven is one of the most common houseplants you will come across in most homes and offices.

– Characteristics

Like its name, dark beauty, the leaves turn light green to dark green, almost to the point of looking black. It can turn black when subjected to low light for a few months. It grows to the full height of three to four feet or slightly taller than this, depending on the conditions it’s growing under.

It has glossy violet-black mature leaves that look darker in low-light areas, hence the plant leaves  are certainly unique. Note that the younger leaves would give a contrasting lime color to the foliage for that distinctive look.

– Growing Conditions

This plant thrives under moderate or low light conditions, making it popular for offices, bathrooms, and other areas with less natural light. It can also grow well under bright indirect sunlight, especially in a south-facing window. Avoid direct sunlight as it burns the leaves. 

Provide well-drained, rich soils with adequate watering, and at all costs avoid over-watering as it causes root rot to this plant which would damage it, bcause it is one of the plant problems you could face. During summer, water it once every two weeks and once every three weeks in winter.

Use porous pots, preferably terracotta or any other choice. Keep them in room temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Fertilize your plant with a balanced liquid fertilizer a few times a year.

– Cautiousness

Keep this plant away from pets and kids as it is toxic if ingested and might also cause irritations to the eyes and skin with prolonged exposure.

5. The Regular ZZ Plant

This is the most common of ZZ varieties, the simple, and regular one. It is available in most local plant stores at a very affordable price. General stores always stock these plants and have sales from time to time.

– Characteristics

The regular ZZ plant has lovely medium dark green leaves that are lance-shaped and thick. This plant gives a perfect tropical feel to any bland ambiance. In addition, it is easy to care for, attracting beginners and busy gardeners to adopt it.

– Growth Requirement

It is a slow-growing plant that grows in spurs. When you start growing it, you will not see much progress for a long time, and suddenly, you will notice a lot of new growth. By the same token, the new growth features a beautiful pale or bright green color, and as they mature by receiving care, they would thrive and become darker green.

You must grow it in well-draining soils and potting soil that is well-aerated, or pots with adequate drainage holes. Water it adequately, but allow the soil to dry in between to avoid overwatering.

6. The ZZ Jungle Warrior

The ZZ jungle warrior is native to Australia, but grows in North America and Europe. 

– Great for Beginners

This plant he once established requires very little maintenance, which is a plus for beginners and busy plant lovers. It is a slow-growing, low-maintenance plant popular with most gardeners whether new or old in the field.

– Characteristics

This new black leaf variety is hardy with dark green glossy leaves. The new leaves are dark green maturing to rich purple-black on the leaves and stems. The oval leaves remain glossy all year long without losing their beauty. 

– Plant Care

The ZZ jungle warrior thrives in warm, shaded areas. This plant does not tolerate frost, so you must shield it from the cold weather. 

This plant has very low water requirements. Water it only after the soil is completely dry between the watering schedule. Avoid over-watering during the cooler season, as it causes root rot that kills the plant.

Provide moderate to low light; well-drained indoors; place it in a well-lit room. Make sure that you use well-drained soils or succulent potting mix. Use a good-sized container that fits the roots and quality premium potting mix as a perfect growing medium.

You must, however, make sure that the potted plants are well-drained, especially in the cooler months, to keep the roots from rotting. Add fertilizer at least once or twice a year for better growth. Dust the leaves regularly to keep them from dust.

7. The Dwarf Zamicro ZZ Plant

Like its name, the dwarf zamicro ZZ is a small variety that grows to three feet maximum. Though considered a tiny variety, the proportions of this plant are similar to other normal taller varieties, just that even after maturity, it does not grow taller than three feet.

– Decorative Idea

It is perfect for growing in apartments and smaller offices, as it takes up limited space. It also has a dark version known as Zamicro black.  It is closely related to the zz Raven plant with its glossy black leaves. The only distinguishing feature between the two is the height, with Raven growing taller.

– Characteristics

The dwarf zamicro plant has thick, glossy, dark-green ovate and elongated leaves. When they mature, these leaves sprout from the fleshy stems as thick as they are. But they remain much smaller than the regular ZZ plant varieties.

– Growing Conditions

This plant thrives in partial shade or bright indirect light, giving you the best display. Water it only after the soil dries up to avoid overwatering and killing the roots. Do not leave excess water in the saucer holding the pot.

On the other hand, during winter, keep the plant slightly dry, meaning you water it fewer times than in summer. Apply fertilizer once a month in summer and once in winter to allow prolific growth.

8. The Dwarf ZZ Plant  

The dwarf, also known as Zenzi, is a ZZ cultivar that does not grow tall even in maturity. It is a short, stocky plant that pairs well with other houseplants. It is a pretty new variety that is uncommon to find as it has not yet grown in popularity. Caring for this plant is the same as the regular ZZ making it attractive to grow if you have a small space.

– Characteristics

The dwarf zz plant has dense, dark green foliage with slightly curled leaves, which makes this plant unique. These glossy leaves crowd at the leaf stalk, making it appear chunkier.

It is a dwarf variety meaning it maintains its smaller size than the regular one. This plant reaches a height of at least one inch. It is toxic to humans and pets when ingested or prolonged exposure.

– Specific Needs

This plant is happy to grow in USDA zones 10 and 11. It is best to grow it under direct light, requiring fluorescent light during the cold season. It thrives in well-draining soils with proper aeration for the roots. You can use succulent potting mix for this plant. 

You may even use terracotta pots or other porous pots to keep the plant adequately drained. Re-pot this plant every year for the first three years.

– Care Guide

Water this plant sparingly, as it’s drought tolerant and can do with minimal moisture. Water it once every three weeks in summer and once every four weeks in winter. Propagate this plant in spring using leaf cuttings or rhizome division.

9. The Lucky Classic ZZ 

Lucky classic plant is unique as it carries a different look than the rest of the ZZ plants. 

– Characteristics

It has spherical leaves that are slightly tapered at the end. These classic plants are medium dark green and narrower than the regular ones. Its flowers bloom in the spring and summer, brightening the whole plant.

– Growing Conditions

It is best to grow this plant in a low-lit location to get that beautiful lush foliage. It prefers well-drained soils and aerated potting mix for proper water flow. 

Water it less frequently as it is drought tolerant hence the watering should be done when the soil dries up completely. Water it once every two weeks in summer and once a month during winter.

10. The Lucky Giant ZZ 

Known as the giant, it stands out due to its height of about four feet tall, even when growing indoors. It is native to Zanzibar, and its shiny foliage brings your home or office to life all year. 

– Characteristics

Lucky giant has larger and more elongated leaves than other varieties. The leaves are not entirely round; they are oval with a rounded tip.

It has glossy green foliage that makes it one of the best types.

– Growing Conditions

This plant thrives in USDA zones 10 to 11 when growing indoors and outdoors. It tolerates low light and does not need any fluorescent light during winter. It is very forgiving, especially if you forget to water it, as it can thrive on almost neglect. It rarely needs fertilizing, so be careful not to overfeed it. 

Conclusion

The above types of ZZ plants are outstanding in many ways and remain a darling to many houseplant lovers. You don’t have to grow only one type; you can mix and match them.

If you choose to grow any of these plants, here are some crucial points to remember

• You can choose to grow variegata, dwarf, zz raven, or regular ZZ plants, as they are easy to maintain.
• All these plants do not require frequent watering, which makes them the best plants for busy gardeners or beginners.
• Whether you are growing them indoors or outdoors, ensure you have well-drained soils that will keep the plant well moisturized but dry.
• ZZ plant varieties are excellent indoor plants because they withstand low light conditions. They also love bright indirect light and grow faster.  

When you buy zz, they would happily grow and thrive under fluorescent lights during the dark winters making them a popular choice for offices and apartments. 

What are you waiting for, start working on growing your zamioculcas zamiifolias and let us know how it goes.