Zamioculcas ∗ The best tips on care, location, flowering (lucky feather)

Profile / flowers and flowering time

A blossom brings one that is kept in room culture Zamioculcas very rarely. However, this is unspectacular anyway: As is typical of the arum family, the flower consists of a thick, whitish bulb only a few centimeters high. You may only be able to enjoy a bloom if the plants feel completely at home in their location and optimal conditions are available. To do this, however:

• permanently present around 25 ° C ambient temperature
• the humidity is neither too high nor too dry (such as in heated rooms in winter)
• a bright but not full sun location was chosen
• is fertilized and watered regularly
• Care was taken to ensure that the pot was large enough
• the plant is not too moist
• a high quality compost-based substrate has been filled in

The flower shoot, like the leaf shoots, also grows directly from the rhizome, but reaches a maximum height of 30 centimeters. Initially, a bract covers the flower, but after it has sprouted it kinks and exposes the white bulb. This in turn lasts a few weeks before it dries up and turns brown. The possibly formed seeds can basically be used to propagate the Zamioculcas, however, this is a difficult one and hardly successful for the layperson Endeavor.

Profile / origin and distribution

Only since the beginning of the 2000s has the Zamioculcas experienced an upswing as an uncomplicated houseplant. It was simply not cultivated for this purpose before, even if the species was already in the 19th century. It was discovered and described in the 19th century. The home of the plant, which belongs to the Araceae family, is Central and East Africa, where the species is widespread, especially in Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar. There the plant grows mainly in the wooded foothills of the highlands and in lowlands where rocky subsoil predominates.

By nature, the Zamioculcas is used to extreme drought and can do without water for weeks or months. Typical for the home region is the alternation between dry phases and heavy rain, during which the Plant can quickly soak up moisture - and then survive drought again.

Profile / use

The Zamioculcas can only be used as a houseplant or be kept in winter gardens, because as a warmth-loving, typically African plant, they should not be exposed to temperatures below 16 ° C. The plant feels most comfortable at temperatures above 20 ° C, and thanks to its resistance to drought, it can also tolerate summer heat and winter heating air without any problems. During the warm summer months you can also plant the plant in a partially shaded or shaded area. Put a shady place on the balcony or terrace, provided that the temperatures do not drop below 20 ° C at night. It should also be dry so that the Zamioculcas, which are very sensitive to excess moisture, are not exposed to continuous rain.

Profile / appearance and growth

From a botanical point of view, the Zamioculcas is one of the herbaceous plants, which, however, does not correspond to its actual appearance. The evergreen lucky feather develops thick, fleshy rhizomes underground, from which thickened petioles sprout and can grow up to a meter high. These petioles are the actual leaves of the Zamioculcas: They are club-shaped, thickened and covered with numerous stiff, strong pinnate leaves. All above-ground parts of the plant are colored glossy dark green and are a good indicator for the brightness of the location: The leaves become intense in darker locations dark green.

Overall, the plant looks strong and, with increasing age, gets a rather dense shoot growth, which is why the occasional division of the rhizome A good idea is: This not only gives you a second plant, but also prevents the plant pot from being blown up by the pressure of the roots at some point will. Basically, the Zamioculcas grows rather slowly, but can be several decades old and therefore very large.

Profile / toxicity

Like any arum plant, the Zamioculcas is poisonous to both humans and pets. The evergreen plant contains skin-irritating substances such as oxalic acid and calcium oxalate, which externally can lead to swelling and reddening of the mucous membranes and skin. However, poisoning is very rare, as the effect is in the form of a burning sensation in the mouth, etc. sets in immediately and the body is therefore warned in advance. Just make sure that no sap gets into your eyes when pruning, for example, as this can be very uncomfortable. In this case, rinse the eyes thoroughly with clear, warm water. However, a visit to the doctor is usually not necessary.

Plant zamioculcas correctly

If you have bought a new Zamioculcas, it is best to transplant it straight away in fresh substrate. You can tell whether the plant needs a new pot by the root penetration of the container: If there is hardly any space left, it is time for a larger container. This should be as wide as possible because the roots mainly expand in width. In addition, a drain hole on the bottom of the pot is essential, through which excess water can drain off quickly. To prevent it from silting up, cover the ground with a layer of potsherds. Mixing in ensures better permeability of the substrate Expanded clay(€ 16.36 at Amazon *) or Perlite.(€ 35.50 at Amazon *)

Which location is suitable?

In terms of its location, the Zamioculcas is gratifyingly frugal. Basically, the plant can cope with any space, as long as it is not at a south-facing window. The easy-care houseplant cannot stand full sun, but still feels most comfortable in a bright spot. If there is no such thing, simply put the “Zamie” in the shade - it comes by itself Works fine with little light, but then grows much more slowly and develops a noticeably dark color Leaves.

Anyway, warmth is more important than the light intensity, because the Zamioculcas shouldn't be cooler than 16 ° C. Temperatures between 20 and 25 ° C, which the plant can enjoy on the balcony during the warm summer months, are ideal for its growth.

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What soil does the plant need?

Commercially available standard soil, which may be pre-fertilized, is sufficient as a substrate. Also green plants, indoor plants or Palm soil the lucky feather is suitable. The houseplant feels most comfortable in soil with a high proportion of compost. Mix the substrate for better permeability Clay granules or perlite under. Make sure not to keep the plant too moist - if the substrate becomes moldy, the "Zamie" is too wet and needs a new pot and fresh substrate as soon as possible. Prefer instead of an earth die Hydroponics, this reduces the already low maintenance effort again.

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Care / fertilization

Like any potted plant, the Zamioculcas also depend on a regular supply of nutrients. Fertilize About every four weeks with a low-dose, liquid green plant fertilizer, which is given together with the irrigation water. Alternatively, you can use the plant in spring with a Slow release fertilizer - for example in the form of a stick or cone - so that fertilization cannot be forgotten during the summer months. Stop fertilizing during the winter.

Plants freshly potted in pre-fertilized soil should be fertilized after eight weeks at the earliest, as well as with Specimens that are infected with pests or that are sick and that are only supplied with nutrients again after they have recovered will. Plants are like humans in this regard: you probably eat less if you're in bed with a feverish cold.

Care / watering

The Zamioculcas store moisture in their fleshy, thick leaf stalks, which they use to survive dry times in their East African homeland. This makes it a succulent plant that only needs to be watered a little - but still must not dry out all the time. Always water the “Zamie” when the substrate has dried well - you can determine this with clay pots, for example by means of the “knock test”. Gently tap the pot with your knuckles. If the resulting clay sounds hollow, it's time to pour. Use well stale, room warm tap water or collected rainwater. Excess irrigation water should be removed promptly.

From time to time you put the Zamioculcas under the shower and rinse them off with a gentle, lukewarm shower jet. Showering kills several birds with one stone: On the one hand, you remove accumulated dust from the Leaves and on the other hand you increase the humidity, so that more pests occurring in dry conditions like approximately Spider mites have no chance.

With regard to the pouring amount, no specific information can be given. Basically, the Zamioculcas needs more and more water during the summer months than in winter. How much and how often you actually water depends on the brightness at the location, the ambient temperature and the size of the plant.

Care / sharing and repotting

You rarely need to repot the Zamioculcas, in contrast to many other potted plants, the lucky feather is likes in cramped pots and only needs a new one when its roots grow out of the planter threaten. This is usually the case every three years or so. On this occasion, you can also divide large plants into two or more individual plants and plant them separately. This is the quickest and easiest way to multiply the attractive plant. The best time for this measure is spring, and you should water the plant (s) more intensely for a few weeks after repotting.

Care / cutting

Even if the lucky feather grows slowly, it can become quite high and, above all, extensive over the years. Nevertheless, do not cut back the plant, otherwise unsightly bald spots will remain. The Zamioculcas does not sprout from the stump, it often remains for several years. Instead, simply split plants that have grown too large.

Sometimes, however, you still have to use a knife or scissors, because sick or dead shoots must be removed as quickly as possible. Cut off dried-up or rotting leaf stalks directly at the base and preferably dispose of the clippings with household waste.

Care / increase

Furthermore, the lucky feather can be increased by leaf cuttings, which you simply put with the cut side down in a pot Potting soil stick, always keep the substrate slightly moist and place the container in a bright and warm place about 25 ° C. It is best to cultivate the cutting in an indoor greenhouse, as roots form more easily when the air is buffeted. However, you need a lot of patience until the leaf has actually taken root and a new shoot develops: this process can take up to a year. Even after that, the new plant grows quite slowly. In addition to individual leaflets, petioles up to 20 centimeters long with several leaflets are also suitable for propagation.

Care / diseases and pests

The Zamioculcas is a robust houseplant that rarely gets sick or infested by pests. Basically, the only problem is spider mites, which often occur in dry and warm locations. You can keep this plague off your throat by showering the plant occasionally.

frequently asked Questions

Zamioculcas gets brown leaves, what to do?

If the Zamioculcas suddenly gets brown leaves, there are usually mistakes behind it. Find out if you can

• watering too much or too little
• fertilize too much or too little
• the ambient temperature is too high or too low
• the humidity is too high or too low.

As soon as the cause has been determined, take appropriate countermeasures.

Zamioculcas gets yellow leaves, what to do?

Yellow leaves on the lucky feather, on the other hand, are a clear indication of a location that is too humid. In this case, immediately repot the plant in fresh, dry substrate and cut off any rotten roots or leaf shoots. Pour the Zamioculcas less often or fewer.

Species and varieties

Basically only one variety of Zamioculcas is commercially available, although a variegated variant can also be admired in the Botanical Garden in Berlin. However, this is seldom and can then be purchased for a lot of money. On the other hand, it is doubtful whether the black Zamioculcas 'Raven' that is occasionally offered is actually an independent variety. The very dark petioles and leaflets of this variant are actually developed by every normal lucky feather - as long as it is dark enough. A dark location and thus little light automatically lead to dark colored leaves in this species.