Indoor plants
Zamioculcas
Zamioculcas
Zamioculcas (lat. Zamiocúlcas) — a monotypic genus of the Araceae family (Araceae), represented by the single species Zamioculcas zamiifolia, originating from tropical Africa.
The name is related to its resemblance to Zamia — a plant of the cycads family that is rare in cultivation. Zamioculcas leaves are pinnate, up to 1 m long, dark green, glossy, with regular, slightly pointed leaflets at the tip, and are exceptionally decorative. They are densely arranged on a short horizontal stem, creating the impression of a rosette. The leaf bases are slightly swollen. The plant has a large underground water-storing tuber, so it is sometimes regarded as a succulent. The main decorative effect is provided by the leaves; Zamioculcas flowering is not very attractive. Only old specimens flower, producing at the base of the leaves a small spadix surrounded by a spathe.
Zamioculcas grows slowly; new leaves appear at long intervals. The lower parts of old leaves naturally become bare, whereas massive shedding of leaflets indicates improper care.
It was first described in 1828 by the collector of tropical plants Conrad Loddiges as Caladium zamiifolium (Caladium zamiifolium Lodd.), then in 1856 by Heinrich Wilhelm Schott as Zamioculcas loddigesii (Zamioculcas loddigesii Schott); in 1908 Adolf Engler, director of the Berlin Botanical Garden, gave it the modern name Zamioculcas zamiifolia (Lodd.).
In 1929 the German botanist Gustav Albert Peter described Zamioculcas lanceolata (Zamioculcas lanceolata Peter), occurring mainly in Mozambique, with more lanceolate leaf blades; however today it is rarely recognized as a separate species.
A herbaceous plant with a thick tuberous rhizome. Leaves glossy, dark green, pinnately compound, up to 1 m long, swollen at the base. The plant is evergreen but may drop leaves in case of drought.
Until the end of the 20th century Zamioculcas was practically unknown as a houseplant. With the start of mass sales at Dutch flower auctions in 1996 it became widely used in indoor horticulture and interior greening.
In August 2007 the first cultivar of Zamioculcas was introduced — the miniature Zamioculcas zamiifolia ‘Zamicro’ (grows up to 60 cm). In indoor culture it is extremely undemanding, tolerates dry air and insufficient watering well, and is not demanding regarding light and soil composition. It is propagated by division of the rhizome, rooting of whole leaves or individual leaflets.
Under indoor conditions Zamioculcas flowers rarely. The inflorescence is a pale-cream spadix formed on a short thick peduncle. The small spathe of the inflorescence is light green, so it is not immediately noticeable among the leaves.
Temperature: Moderate; in winter preferably 16-18 °C, but not below 12°C.
Light: A bright location with diffused light. In summer it prefers placement outdoors - on a balcony, in the garden, etc. In winter the Zamioculcas should be moved closer to the window.
Watering: Moderate from spring to autumn, but there should be no standing water in the saucer; in winter watering is infrequent, and the soil should dry well before the next watering. Zamioculcas tolerates some drying out better than waterlogged soil — the latter can lead to root rot and stem rot.
Air humidity: Zamioculcas does not require leaf misting, but occasional washing is needed so the plant does not become dusty and lose its attractiveness. In summer outdoors, rain washings are sufficient.
Propagation: By division of the clump, by leaf, by cuttings. It is better to let a leaf dry slightly before planting. It is desirable to root cuttings or leaves with bottom heat and the use of rooting hormones for better root formation. Rooting may take up to 2 months.