Cultural Guidelines for Commercial Production of Interiorscape ZZ (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)

'ZZ' plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia), like Aglaonema and Dieffenbachia, is a member of aroid family. Because of its unique appearance (Figure 1), ability to tolerate low light levels and drought, and resistance to diseases and pests, 'ZZ' is emerging as an important foliage plant for interiorscaping (Chen et al., 2002). Morphologically, 'ZZ' bears little resemblance to any other members of the aroids. It has pinnate leaves and round tapering petioles, and appears similar to the cardboard cycad (Zamia furfuracea), which is why 'ZZ' is also called 'Aroid Palm' or 'Cardboard Palm'. Its naturally glossy leaves are so shiny that the plant appears to have been polished.