How Much Light Does ZZ Plant Need – Light Requirements?

Like most houseplants, ZZ plant require indirect sunlight for at-least 6 hours. Harsh sunlight can turn ZZ plant leaves to brown.

Plant leaves gets it’s colour from chlorophyll. If ZZ plant don’t get sunlight, it won’t be able to produce chlorophyll and your plant leaves may turn yellow with time.

Zamioculcas is a type of flowering plant in the family Araceae, it contains the single species Zamioculcas zamiifolia.

It is a tropical perpetual plant native to eastern Africa, from southern Kenya to north eastern South Africa.

The zamioculcas zamiifolia nurtures fine with low levels of light, it’s best to avoid direct sunlight.

Allow the soil to become dry at the top to the touch amongst watering and do not overwater.

It’s best to water the plant less because over-watering can cause stem and root decomposition.

How Much Light Does the ZZ Plant Need?

ZZ plants grow finest in lots of indirect light as the direct sunlight can cause the leaves to damage, and flourish under the fluorescent lights of offices and commercial buildings.

The best answer is to give the ZZ Plant as much bright, indirect light as possible during the day, perfectly like 6-8 hours. Direct light will be very strong for ZZs so the leaves will burn.

Though they can bear the low light for short periods, they grow in the best with bright indirect or filtered sunlight. They can also handle some direct morning sun but should be kept away from harsh afternoon sunlight.

Plants don’t need direct sunlight to carry out the chemical process. Any sunlight reproduced off surfaces coming in from a closed window will cause photosynthesis. Grow lights can also have a similar effect.

Plants need a firm amount of light for photosynthesis. These light levels may vary based on the environments in the plants found in nature. 

Light levels translate these natural conditions into what they can find indoors, but this can result in a fewconfusions. Let’s clarify what the terms mean:

Check this out: Angel Wing Begonia Light Requirements

Direct Light: Sun rays hit directly the plant’s leaves, whether outdoors or through an exposed window. Most indoor plants will burn in direct light, but other succulents require them to survive.

Indirect Light: The holy treasure of lighting is suitable for most indoor plants. This spot is very close to a window and free of any objects that receive lots of light but do not encounter directly the sun’s rays.

Filtered Light: Direct light filtered through one more object like a sheer curtain, creating alike conditions to bright indirect light.

Medium Light: Spots a bit more away from the window that is bright but not as concentrated as those closer to the window.

Low Light: This is found in areas away from windows or in the corners of the rooms. It doesn’t mean ‘no light’, but slightly light with the low intensity.

Also Read: Why My ZZ Plant Leaves Turning Yellow?

Sign that the ZZ Plant Is Receiving Too Much Light

While ZZ plants can hold direct sunlight, too much sun is a bad thing. Like humans, plants can get damaged by the UV rays and burn. 

Extreme light can destroy cells, harm chlorophyll within the leaves, and kill leaf tissue which is crucial for growth.

Signs of burnt leaves contain browning or dropping leaves or stems or dead brown spots where the sun hits the plant. If any of the stems are slanting away from the light source, that is also a sign as it is looking for some cool protection from direct light. We are also potentially required to consider trimming or back in these cases.

Remember, the afternoon sun is the severest. These plants can bear some morning sun but will be expected to burn if exposed to direct summer afternoon sun for lengthy periods.

Best place to put the ZZ plant in the house?

ZZ plants do best in bright to modest, indirect light, but will do fine in really low levels of light too. This plant makes a perfect plant for a window-less office where it will only receive fewer amounts of fluorescent light.

ZZ plants can also accept a range of temperature and humidity levels. They grow healthy in average indoor conditions and don’t require any special humidity reflections. ZZ plants typically don’t have issues with common pests and diseases.

Can ZZ plant grow in low light?

The ZZ plant will flourish in shade and part shade outdoors. Correct drainage is again another important point. If the soil in the garden is heavy, check up on how to make clay soil lighter.

Check this out: What Type of Soil is Best for ZZ Plant

Can ZZ plants survive without sunlight?

The ZZ plant is one of the strongest plants around and is nearly terrible to kill. Its luxurious foliage and hard nature make it one of the best plants for everyone in desperate need of green.

It also has waxy-looking leaves that give a good shine. It’s a great plant to have if we want to decorate an empty spot in our home or need one more friend to add to our houseplant collection.

Can ZZ plants grow outside?

You must ensure the temperature isn’t too cold outside, as ZZ plant can’t survive in winter.

The ZZ plant is easy to grow and take care of as an indoor plant that shows small silky leaves on stems that can produce up to 3 ft long indoors.

The zamioculcas zamiifolia produces well in low or bright lighting situations and with frequent or less frequent amounts of water.

ZZ plants are herbaceous perennials, which means when they are planted in the ground, they die to the soil level and recur in the spring. They are natural to the dry grasslands and forests.  They like warm temperatures and will not live through the colder months in many parts. 

ZZ plants, do best in daytime temperatures between 18° – 24°C and night time temperatures that are not much chiller. They desire humid areas but can also survive without them. If we live in these zones, ZZ plants can do fine planted in the soil outside. 

In the US, unless we live somewhere in the deep south, we likely won’t be able to plant the ZZ outdoors year-round.

However, in many areas, they do well and are set outside in a bottle for the warm months  

If we would like to give the ZZ plant some extra sunshine in the summer, put it outside in an area where it will obtain indirect light and simply bring it back inside when temperatures dip below 4.5° C.

Also Read: Why Parlor Palm Leaves Turning Brown?

Important Care Tips for Growing ZZ Plant

ZZ plants are recognized for being a low-maintenance, easy-to-care-for indoor plant that even gardeners with the darkest thumbs can keep alive with the least care. All that is required for their care is suitable for light and good watering every 2 weeks.

However, we need not worry about forgetting to water the ZZ plant as these plants grow from stems, which store water under the soil, making them drought-tolerant plants.

Though it thrives outdoors, it’s best grown indoors away. If we want to grow it outside, plant it in a container or pot that can be taken indoors when the temperatures cool.

ZZ plants have shiny leaves that can become dull as dust accrues. Never clean the leaves with any chemical for leaf shine, as it will clog the plant’s holes. Instead, gently wipe away dust and remains with a washcloth to restore its shiny leaf.

Also Read: How Often to Water ZZ Plant?

Light

ZZ plants are easy-going in a wide range of lighting environments, which makes them well-suited to indoor growing. The plants can grow in low-light conditions. The plants can quickly become tall and thin when not given proper light. When placing the plant in the house, choose a bright, indirect light spot, rather than in a room with south-facing windows. Avoid direct sunlight, as this may have marks on the leaves of the plants.

Soil

ZZ plants are not excessively picky about their potting medium as long as it is well-draining. Most typical potting mixes should be enough for the plant. If extra drainage is required, mixing perlite or sand will support.

Water

These plants are extremely drought-tolerant and can handle rare watering, thanks to their thick stems. We should usually water ZZ plants once the soil dries out completely every two weeks, depending on their growing conditions.

It’s better to water the plant less than to give it much water. When watering, water the plant carefully and check whether the water running out of the drainage hole at the bottom of the pot. Get rid of the extra water.

Temperature and Humidity

Average home temperatures and humidity are acceptable for this plant. ZZ plants do not bear cold temperatures well, so avoid placing the plant in a location close to particularly cold areas of the home.

ZZ plants don’t need humid conditions, but if the home runs on the dry side, consider increasing the humidity around the plant by obtaining a humidifier or place on the top of a water tray.

Fertilizer

ZZ plants mostly do not require regular fertilizing to bloom. However, if we are hoping to increase the plant’s size or potency, fertilize the ZZ plant with indoor plant fertilizer diluted to half-strength one or two times during its growing season.

Check this out: Do ZZ Plants Like Coffee Grounds?

Propagation

ZZ plants propagate in two ways by division and leaf cutting.  Propagation by division is the simple procedure to create more ZZ plants, simply detached the stems the next time while repotting the ZZ plant in a separate container.

Alternatively, ZZ plants can also be spread by cutting their leaves. This process takes longer than propagation by division, and we may need to wait for six to nine months before any new roots begin to grow.

Take a cutting from a complete ZZ plant that has at least two leaves and a portion of the stem.

How many hours of light does ZZ plant need?

ZZ plant needs at-least 6 hours of indirect sunlight to keep its foliage green and healthy.

Conclusion

ZZ plant is a houseplant that does well in indirect light for 10-12 hours per day. You can grow this houseplant indoors; you just need to place the plant beside the windowsill.

Exposing ZZ plant to repeated harsh sunlight can damage leaves, resulting in scorched foliage.