Zamioculcas

Plants that Detoxify the Air

The Zamioculcas is an ornamental plant, appreciated mainly for its attractive glossy foliage and air-purifying qualities. This is an easy and impressive plant for semi shady rooms.

Important Considerations:

Toxicity: All parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested. Not recommended

One of Best Plants For Cleaner, Fresher Air: This plant distinguishes itself for its ability to help purify indoor air.

Description

The Zamioculcas grows to 45-60 cm 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 long, with 6-8 pairs of leaflets 7-15 cm long; they are smooth, shiny, and dark green.

The flowers are produced in a small bright yellow to brown or bronze spadix 5-7 cm long, partly hidden among the leaf bases; flowering is from mid summer to early autumn.

Planting / Care:

Temperature / Climate: It can be kept outdoors as long as the temperature does not fall below around 15 °C (59°F); best growth is between 18 °C to 26 °C (64.4° - 78.8 °F). Hot temperatures give an increase of leaf production. In temperate regions, it is grown as a houseplant.

Watering: Over watering may destroy this plant; erring on the side of dryness is preferable to risking tuber rot.

Do not use leaf shiners.

Fertilizer: A quarter or eighth strength liquid fertilizer such as fish emulsion or worm-cast liquid may be used once a month at the warmest period for potted specimens.

Light Exposure: Bright, non-direct light is best for Zamioculcas, although it will tolerate very low light. Some sun will be tolerated, very early in the morning for hot districts - morning or afternoon for cooler districts.

Medicinal Applications:

The leaves of the plant have been used by the sjamans in the jungles of Ghana to relieve severe stomach ache.
When consumed in large quantities it can be deadly.
When cultivated with coffee for years, the plant can obtain heavy psychadelic effects.