ZZ plants are a household name in any houseplant collection as they are low-maintenance and hardy. This succulent plant is widespread, and these days, you can find different mysterious and dark Raven ZZ plants, better known as Zamioculcas zamiifolia ‘Raven.’
The plant debuted in 2019 but was first discovered in 2015, making up part of the Trending Tropical collection at Costa Farms. Today, it is a trendy houseplant with deep dark purple to black foliage.
But pet owners should be aware that Raven Zz is toxic when ingested.
Raven ZZ Plant Table Guide
Raven ZZ Plant Care Basics
The Raven ZZ plant, like other ZZ plants, is an easy houseplant to care for. It can tolerate different lighting conditions as it has thick rhizomes and is drought-tolerant.
Here are the primary Raven ZZ plant care needs to ensure your indoor plant thrives.
Soil Mix For Raven ZZ Succulent
The best soil is an airy to well-draining one for your plants. While your plant can grow in typical houseplant soil, it is best potted in soil amended with pumice, perlite, or sand to increase drainage.
Watering Needs for Succulent Plants
The Raven ZZ plant has water-storing rhizomes. So, what does this mean? It means that as it is a drought-tolerant plant, it does not need a lot of watering. Overwatering your plant leads to root rot, killing the plant. We recommend allowing the soil to dry out between watering.
It will need a bit more water during the growing season of spring and summer than in winter. The best way to test if your ZZ plant needs water is to stick your finger in the soil and feel if the top two inches are dry before watering.
Light Conditions For ZZ Plants
Most Raven ZZ plants have no problems with light and can grow from low to bright indirect light. Still, the ideal conditions are bright, indirect light. The ZZ plant can survive in low light but can lead to unattractive leggy growth.
We recommend avoiding placing your houseplant where it receives too much direct sunlight, like in the afternoons, as it leads to leaf burn.
Temperature & Humidity
The tropical plant can thrive in a household environment as it loves warm temperatures and moderate humidity. While it does not need high moisture levels, keeping the temperature between 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 29 degrees Celsius) is best. It will help prevent your plant from going into shock.
Fertilizing Raven ZZ
The ZZ Raven benefits from a soil mix rich in organic materials, but regular fertilization in the active growing period helps. We recommend using a balanced fertilizer on most houseplants. You can feed your plants every three to four weeks to encourage healthy growth.
Propagation
The raven ZZ plant is a rare type of ZZ that you cannot commonly see in plant nurseries. In several countries, propagating and selling the plant is unlawful to avoid exploitation.
If you are lucky to have the rare raven ZZ plant in your home, it is one of the unchallenging house plants you can propagate. To propagate almost all succulent plants such as the raven ZZ, you may choose cuttings from leaves and stems or separate its tuber.
After propagating it, do not water the plant for two weeks. Doing this allows the plant to root profoundly and encourages it to add roots.
Growth Zone
Ideally, the Raven ZZ plant can thrive in tropical and desert areas. The said plant is drought-resistant and has been proven to tolerate a hot climate. It also thrives in temperate regions with minimal amounts of sunlight.
Watering the plant every two weeks in tropical areas and exposure to low indirect sunlight can reach its maximum height of 3 feet. During the winter, you can water Raven ZZ once a month and put it in a bigger pot if you want this plant to achieve its full height.
Repotting ZZ Plant
The ZZ plant grows slowly and only needs repotting once it outgrows the container. The Raven ZZ can tolerate being rootbound and repot them every two to three years.
Indications that your plant requires a new plant pot is when you notice the rhizomes creeping out the drainage holes or pushing up the edge of the container.
Upgrade to a size a few inches bigger than the previous container to prevent overwatering your plant. When repotting, you can refresh the soil to provide your Raven ZZ with the necessary nutrients.
Raven ZZ Varieties and Similar Plants
The raven ZZ plant is similar to its original dark green ZZ plant in structure, height, leaf shape, and requirement, but it only differs in color (purple to nearly black).
The regular ZZ succulent plant boasts evergreen to dark green foliage with thick stems and trunks. The black ZZ plant shares a similar appearance, except for its unique, almost black leaves that stand out in contrast to the regular green variety.
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
On the Raven ZZ plants, you can look out for these common pests:
- Thrips,
- Mealybugs,
- Scale and,
- Spider Mites.
We recommend frequently checking your plant for bugs to catch them before they become infested. Treat your affected plants with neem oil or an insecticide by isolating them from your other houseplants.
The leading cause of diseases is root rot from overwatering or contaminated disease-causing bacteria in the soil. If you notice signs of root rot from rotting stems, mushy foliage, or rotting roots, it helps to cut away the diseased parts.
Common Problems With Raven ZZ Plant
As with most ZZ plants, even when hardy, they can still face common problems as follows:
Yellowing Leaves
Most indoor and outdoor plants can suffer from yellow leaves, resulting from the lack of light, a pest infestation, or underwatering. We recommend checking your plant for pests, watering, and light to determine the cause. If your plant stands in low light, it can lose some leaves. Even sudden changes in the light can result in the leaves turning yellow.
Mushy Stems
The sign is always related to root rot, especially if the stems start to rot. You will need to act fast to help save your plant. It helps to cut away those rotted parts on the stems and roots to prevent it from spreading. Then, replant it in dry, well-draining soil and avoid watering for a few weeks.
