Zanzibar Gem

AKA zamioculcas zamiifolia

With graceful, wand-like stems and waxy, emerald green leaves, the Zanzibar Gem is a true stunner and popular indoor plant for homes and offices alike. Given its ability to withstand long periods of drought or neglect, the ZZ gem has even earned itself the nickname of “the eternity plant”. Learn the basics of Zanzibar Gem plant care including light requirements, watering frequency, and how to troubleshoot common problems you may encounter along the way.

What type of light do Zanzibar Gems need?

The Zanzibar Gem prefers bright or medium indirect light, though they can adjust to low light as well, and even survive with just fluorescent overhead lights.

How to water your Zanzibar Gem

The Zanzibar Gem stores water in its bulbous roots, stems, and leaves, which means it does not need frequent watering. Water thoroughly about once every week or two or when the top two inches of soil is dry. Err on the side of under watering, and note that your watering schedule may be less frequent during winter months.

Are Zanzibar Gems fast grower?

In ideal conditions, the Zanzibar Gem can grow up to 10” per year, eventually reaching nearly five feet in height. In low light conditions, this plant will grow more slowly. Fertilize your Zanzibar Gem 1-2 times per month in the spring and summer with indoor plant food, or foliar feed year round.

Common problems with Zanzibar Gems

How to maintain a beautiful and healthy Zanzibar Gem

Take care of your Zanzibar Gem and it will take care of you! Below are simple tips to continue caring for your Zanzibar Gem over time.

Pruning

Zanzibar Gems practically shape themselves, so you won’t need to prune this plant often. Remove dry or dead leaves all year round but save any major pruning for the spring and summer months. Unlike other common houseplants, pruning a Zanzibar Gem does not promote new growth, so only remove unwanted stalks that are unattractive or have been damaged. When pruning your ZZ, use sharp, clean shears and cut at the base of the stalk.

Cleaning Your Zanzibar Gem

Though tedious, keeping your Zanzibar Gem dust-free will help the plant soak in more light. Clean the leaves regularly with a damp cloth, and incorporate misting into your routine to decrease dust build-up.

Repotting ZZ Gems

Indoor plants grow much slower than they would in the wild. Depending on the size of your plant and the density of the roots, this is nice to do every two to three years to provide fresh nutrients and encourage new growth.

• When to repot - Zanzibar Gems have such strong roots that they will literally break their nursery pots when its time to repot! That said, they prefer to have their roots tightly compacted, so don’t feel rushed to repot if it looks or feels crowded. Usually Zanzibar Gems can be repotted every two years or so.

• Pot sizing - if you want your plant to grow taller, find a nursery pot that’s 2” in diameter larger than the current pot. If you want your plant to stay the same height, you can reuse the same pot and simply change the soil.

• Get your hands dirty - spread out newspaper on the floor, remove the plant from the pot and shake off as much of the old soil as possible so that you have clean roots. Place the plant in the center of the pot, add new soil and pat down very firmly. Water the soil thoroughly and place the plant in an area with bright indirect light. Your plant will take two to four weeks to settle from the shock and adjust to its new home.

How to propagate a Zanzibar Gem

Propagating the Zanzibar Gem is simple and there are a few different ways to do it. Thanks to the rhizome root system, Zanzibar Gems can simply be divided into new plants. However, you can also propagate with cuttings for a less messy process. Follow these instructions to propagate your Zanzibar Gem:

• Select a few stems to propagate - Using sharp, clean scissors or shears, cut a stalk from the base of its growth. It’s best to choose shorter stalks— they will grow roots faster.

• Let the cuttings dry out - Let the stalks dry and callous, and wait a few hours before moving on to the next step.

• Place in water - Find a clear glass and place the cutting in it with water. You may also choose to first dip the cutting in rooting hormone, as this will increase the chances and speed of the cutting forming its own roots.

• Place in a bright area and wait! - Avoid direct sun, and be patient! New roots may take a few weeks to begin forming.

• Transfer to soil - After the roots are at least two inches long, transfer to indoor potting soil. A small pot is best — no larger than 6” in diameter. As this plant prefers to have its roots tightly compacted, it’s best to plant a few different cuttings and their roots in a pot together.

• Keep hydrated - During the first few weeks, or until your plant feels firmly rooted in its soil, regularly water and drain your plant. The soil should be just barely moist to the touch at all times.

Illustrations by our talented plant stylist, Kailie Barnes.

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ZANZIBAR GEM

Highly adaptable and thrives in a wide range of conditions, great for many home and office environments.

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The STROMANTHE TRIOSTAR

AKA stromanthe sanguinea triostar
AKA magenta triostar

A member of the prayer plant family, the Stromanthe Triostar or Magenta Triostar boasts colorful leaves that almost appear to be painted by Mother Nature herself. But though this plant makes for a real head turner, it requires a bit of patience in finding just what it needs in terms of care. Here’s everything you need to know to keep Magenta Triostar plants healthy and growing.

How much light does the Stromanthe Triostar need?

This plant needs bright indirect light to thrive. In fact, it will open and close its leaves throughout the day in response to light! Avoid harsh direct sunlight that may burn your plant’s leaves.

How to water your Stromanthe Triostar

Water about once a week (or more often if environment is very warm) to keep soil evenly moist but never soggy. Mist between waterings to provide humidity.

How fast do stromanthes grow?

In prime conditions, this plant grows relatively quickly and can reach up to one to two feet in height. Fertilize 1-2 times per month in the spring and summer with indoor plant food, or foliar feed year round.

Common problems with the Magenta Triostar

Yellowing or pale leaves - overwatering or insufficient light

• Symptom - leaves that are an off-white or pale yellow

• Cause - the soil has been drenched or waterlogged

• Remedy - aerate the soil, or simply hold off until the plant dries out a bit until the next watering. If it is very damaged, you may need to repot.

Read more here about yellow or pale leaves on the Stromanthe Triostar.

Yellowing, browning and/or crispy edges - underwatering

• Symptom - edges that turn brown or yellow with a crispy touch to them

• Cause - underwatered

• Remedy - remove the plant from its decorative pot and give a good shower in the sink, allowing it to sit in a dish of water for a few hours before draining and returning to pot. These cosmetic damages won’t go away, but you can prevent them from happening more.

Withered and/or brown leaves - air is too dry

• Symptom - wrinkly, withered leaves that may have some brown edges

• Cause - the air is too dry

• Remedy - regularly mist the Magenta Triostar to boost moisture levels. Also, make sure your plant is not too close to a heater or air conditioner.

  Read more about brown leaves on the Stromanthe Triostar here.

How to maintain a beautiful and healthy Magenta Triostar

Take care of your Magenta Triostar and it will take care of you! Below are simple tips to continue caring for and growing your Magenta Triostar over time.

Pruning

Remove unattractive or damaged leaves from the base of the plant with a clean blade. Never remove more than 30% of the plant at a time.

Trimming

If there is just a small portion of a leaf that was damaged such as the edges, trim off any discoloration or blemishes by following the natural lines and shape of the leaf.

Cleaning

Regularly remove dust to ensure your plant can soak in as much light as possible. Use a damp cloth and gently wipe the leaf clean while supporting the under side with your other hand.

How to grow and repot the Stromanthe Triostar

• Growing - in prime conditions, Magenta Triostars are fast growers, unfurling new leaves from the center base. After some time, if you don’t see any new growth, consider adjusting one of its elements. During spring and summer, use a diluted fertilizer to give your plant a vitamin boost.

• Repotting - L&G Magenta Triostars come in 6” grow pots and only need to be repotted every few years if you notice the roots outgrowing the pot, or to refresh the soil and give it new nutrients. If you’d like your plant to grow larger, find a new grow pot that is 2” larger than its current pot. If you’re happy with the current size, you can reuse the same pot and simply change the soil.

  • Getting your hands dirty with or without a yard - spread out newspaper on the floor, remove the plant from the pot and shake off as much of the old soil as possible so that you have clean roots. At the bottom of the grow pot, and a layer of soil, then place the plant in the center of the pot and cover with new soil. Pat down firmly and water thoroughly. Place the plant in an area with bright indirect light. Your plant will take 2-4 weeks to settle from the shock and adjust to its new home.

How to propagate the Stromanthe Triostar

Propagating a Magenta Triostar plant is best done through division and during spring or summer.

• Divide the roots - remove the plant from its container and determine which area you will divide to create new plants. Make sure there is at least one bud in each clump of tubers, aka their roots. Carefully untangle the roots and pull apart with your hands or cut through with a clean sharp knife.

• Place in fresh soil - Place the new divisions in fresh soil, press soil firmly and water thoroughly.

• Stabilize - Keep freshly repotted plants in a warm area with bright indirect light, and for Magenta Triostars the soil should be kept moist thought not drenched.

Illustrations by our talented plant stylist, Kailie Barnes.

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MAGENTA TRIOSTAR

A colorful prayer plant with pink, green, and magenta hues. Order online at leonandgeorge.com

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