How to care for Zamioculcas and why it is called the dollar tree, reproduction

Half a century ago, Zamioculcas was still an unprecedented exotic, a rare guest in our homes and offices. The African flower quickly won the hearts of all indoor gardening lovers. Powerful greenery, glossy shine of the leaves, unpretentiousness to maintenance are the main advantages of the plant. Let's look at the features of growing zamioculcas (dollar tree) - how to plant and care, what needs to be done for the plant to bloom and feel comfortable.

Zamioculcas: what kind of plant is it?

Representative of the Araceae family (Araceae) refers to monotypic crops. Zamioculcas – the only type specimen in the genus. The botanical name is Zamioculcas zamiaefolia due to the similarity of the leaves with Zamia (Zamia).

The plant was discovered in tropical Africa by the famous collector Loddiges in 1828. The plant became a popular indoor plant at the end of the 20th century. The impressive appearance and shine of the foliage appealed to those who want to decorate their premises and not spend a lot of effort on caring for their pet.

Zamioculcas is loved for its glossy leaves, as if covered with a shiny varnish; the plant blooms rarely; the flower, which resembles an ear of corn, does not shine with beauty. But the foliage is good at any time of the year. When there is snow or dank slush outside the window, the flower pleases with its bright, rich greenery.

Origin of the name "dollar tree" for Zamioculcas

The plant is given the name “dollar tree”; it is credited with the ability to attract not just money, but green US currency. Zamioculcas is grown in offices to increase profits and attract clients; in homes they are kept to increase the well-being of the family.

It’s difficult to find out where the name came from, let’s consider possible versions:

1. The overseas guest, who was brought from the Netherlands, was not cheap, and at first lived only in rich houses. And where there is wealth, there are dollars.
2. Another explanation refers to the properties of succulents to accumulate moisture and nutrients for future use. If a plant is able to store wealth in its tissues, then it will help people increase their dollar savings.

Zamioculcas is famous for its ability to purify the air from harmful substances, making rooms more comfortable for life. Employees of shopping centers and offices are confident that plants make the microclimate more pleasant for people and increase the number of customers.

Zamioculcas species known as dollar tree

Based on natural species, several varieties of zamioculcas have been bred, differing in the size, shape and color of the leaf blades. Let's look at the known types:

1. Zamioculcas zamiifolia is a plant with green leaves of a round shape (pointed at the end). The bush grows up to 75-95 centimeters, the petioles are dense. Popular varieties are Zenzi, Zhuk.
2. Zamioculcas Lanceolata (lanceolate). A low bush (60 centimeters) with elongated green leaves.
3. Zamioculcas variegate is a variegated variety of the plant. Foliage color varies from bright green to yellow depending on the variety. Funny plants with variegated leaves are rarely on sale and are inferior in beauty to traditional zamiifolia. Popular varieties are Long Liv and Short Liv.

Varieties with dark foliage - purple, violet (Black Raven) are of great interest to fans. These species are more fastidious and grow slowly.

The benefits and harms of zamioculcas for humans and the environment

The succulent purifies the air by removing carbon dioxide from indoor spaces.The plant is often placed in hospital wards to improve the microclimate. In apartments, you can keep zamioculcas in any room, place it in the kitchen to remove fumes from the air, and grow it near sleeping places.

The tissues of the plant contain toxic substances, but they become dangerous only when the integrity is damaged and in direct contact with the skin. It is recommended to wear gloves when working with Zamioculcas, and take special care when transplanting and dividing tubers.

Contact with leaves and flowers does not pose a danger, but it is better to warn children that they should not pick the plant and eat the leaves. It is also necessary to wean pets from gnawing succulents and sharpening their claws on the stems.

Secrets to Successfully Growing a Dollar Tree

Zamioculcas is an unpretentious plant; it is enough to know a few rules for the succulent to please the eye for many years. A pet tolerates staying in dry rooms well; it is not afraid of heating devices that work for six months without a break.

If you do not wash the leaves regularly, then only the appearance suffers; the flower does not wither or slow down its growth. After washing, the leaves again shine with gloss and shine in the sun. The main enemies of zamioculcas are excess moisture and a cramped pot. But plant owners must remember that succulents grow slowly and new shoots appear infrequently.

Distinctive features of Zamioculcas

An adult plant reaches a height of 1 meter. Brightly colored green leaves, glossy and hard, are arranged in pairs on dense, fleshy stems. Zamioculcas blooms at the age of 4-5 years and only under favorable conditions. A low, inconspicuous flower, an inflorescence spadix. Flowering lasts 2-3 days.

The rhizome in the form of a tuber accumulates moisture and saves the succulent from lack of watering, so the plant does not need excess water.

Requirements for maintaining a dollar tree at home

Caring for Zamioculcas is not difficult; you just need to remember a few simple rules. The plant easily tolerates the dry air of winter apartments and does not require regular spraying or abundant watering.

Dollar Tree Lighting

The plant is light-loving, prefers bright, but not direct sunlight, grows quickly in rooms oriented to the east and southeast. When kept in rooms facing north or west, the flower is illuminated with lamps. The bush is shaded from direct sunlight with mesh fabrics and tulle.

Help: in summer the bush is taken out onto the balcony or into the garden, choosing places without bright sun. Exposure to air increases the brightness of foliage by increasing photosynthesis.

Selecting soil for a dollar tree

Zamioculcas grows in light, fertile soils of any composition, providing good drainage. Add a layer of expanded clay or other drainage material to the bottom of the pot, choose ready-made soils for succulents, or make a mixture of soils yourself. Only heavy loamy soils are not suitable for cultivation.

Features of caring for and transplanting a dollar tree

Zamioculcas loves space and free air circulation. You should not place the plant in close proximity to other indoor flowers or in tight corners. The succulent does not need excessive attention or regular transplants. The main thing in care is to observe moderation, protect from hypothermia and drafts; zamioculcas tolerates heat easily.

Rules for caring for a dollar tree

Caring for zamioculcas includes the usual set of measures - watering, fertilizing, removing dead shoots and leaves, protecting from damage. Do not smother the succulent with excessive attention that the flower does not need.

Planting and pruning a dollar tree

The tuber is planted in prepared soil, leaving the upper part on the surface or lightly sprinkled with soil no more than half a centimeter. Ceramic or plastic pots are used for planting. Plastic containers are preferable, as it is easier to remove the plant from them when transplanting.

The succulent does not need pruning, the bush forms on its own, dense shoots do not fall and grow vertically. The bush itself holds its shape and does not branch after pruning. Only cut off damaged leaves and shoots after complete drying. Stumps are removed during transplantation.

Rules for watering a dollar tree

Zamioculcas needs moderate watering; do not allow water to accumulate in the pan or excessive soil moisture. Warm, settled water is watered when not only the top but also the middle layer of soil has dried.

The main rule of watering is that it is better to underwater than to overwater. The powerful tuber contains enough moisture to protect the succulent from lack of water. Excess leads to root rot. Therefore, at different times of the year, depending on the humidity of the room, the watering schedule changes.

Help: the plant does not need spraying; only remove dust from the leaves and stems with a damp cloth once a month.

Feeding the dollar tree: how and when to do it

The tuber and watering provide nutrition for Zamioculcas. The plant is fed only during the growing season with fertilizers for succulents in a minimum concentration.Powerful, fast-growing bushes do not need fertilizing; it is better to transplant them into a larger pot, adding fresh nutritious soil.

Methods of propagation of Zamioculcas

At home, zamioculcas is propagated vegetatively. In this case, it is possible to use all known methods:

1. By dividing the tuber. An adult, powerful plant is removed from the pot, and the soil is cleaned off the tuber. Using a sterile knife, cut the tuber into 2-3 parts with shoots and root each one in a separate pot.
2. By cuttings. Select a healthy branch with leaves and cut it a few centimeters before the base. Plant in prepared soil and moisten moderately.
3. Leaves. This method takes the longest and requires patience. The leaf is cut off and planted in a moist soil substrate with sand. Cover with a transparent glass on top. Keep warm and water regularly. Rooting takes 5-6 months. When signs of vegetation appear, transplant into a pot.

Zamioculcas can be propagated by seeds, but only breeders use this method. At home, the best results are obtained by dividing the tuber and growing from cuttings.

Diseases and pests dangerous to zamioculcas

Zamioculcas rarely gets sick and suffers from pests. Most often, the plant is attacked by aphids, scale insects, and spider mites, which are transferred from other domestic flowers. The succulent needs to be isolated and treated with folk or store-bought remedies against the pest (after having determined its type).

Overmoistening is dangerous not only for the growing season of zamioculcas. Excess moisture provokes the development of fungal diseases - anthracnose, rot, powdery mildew. Damaged parts of the plant are removed, including those on the tuber, treated with fungicides, and the soil and pot are changed.Note that even if a significant part of the bush is lost, zamioculcas can recover if the tuber survives.

How to properly replant Zamioculcas (dollar tree)

The succulent does not need annual replanting. The capacity is increased depending on the growth rate after 2-4 years. They adhere to the following rule - replanting is required when the width of the bush exceeds the diameter of the container, and the stems are too tall and heavy and can topple the pot.

The transplant is performed according to the following rules:

1. The best time for transplantation is the growing season, spring.
2. Take a pot 3 centimeters larger in diameter than the previous one. Let us remind you that containers that are too large are contraindicated for zamioculcas; the growing season slows down.
3. The containers are disinfected, drainage is laid, and the soil is prepared.
4. Zamioculcas is kept until the earthen ball dries completely.
5. It is better to carry out replanting together - while one works with the root, the other supports the green part so as not to break the stems.
6. The plant is removed from the pot along with a lump of earth. Remove the outer part of the old soil without opening the tuber.
7. Transfer the succulent to a new pot and add prepared soil.

After replanting, the bush is placed in a warm place without direct sunlight and refrained from watering for a week.

Zamioculcas is a wonderful plant for homes and offices. The succulent does not require special care and rarely gets sick. Bright glossy greenery serves as a real decoration and pleases the eye, especially when it is gloomy outside and the trees have fallen asleep until spring. Zamioculcas has many fans who appreciate the merits of the plant and want to make their life festive and picturesque.