Aroid Palm, Arum Fern

Frost Tolerance: Tender in Phoenix

Sun Exposure: Light shade to shade

Origin: Zanzibar, Tanzania

Growth Habits: Perennial to 20 inches tall (50 cm)

Watering Needs: Keep wet in summer, drier in winter.

Propagation: Seeds, leaf cuttings using the leaflets

The Zamioculcas has a prehistoric look reminiscent of a cycad relative hence the name. In fact it belongs to the family of the Calla lily and the Philodendron. The species name "zamiifolia" means "with Zamia-like leaves".

Blooming Habits:
The Zamioculcas blooms with a yellow-brown spath (a typical type of flower in the arum family)

Propagation:
On the 'Fat Plant' mail list, Stephen M Jankalski reports : 'What I do is take the fallen leaves and insert them stalk side down in moist sand inside a sealed Tupperware container placed in indirect light. The leaves will root, form a tuber and within a year, a new leaf will emerge. At that point, it should be potted up. You will have a nice sized plant in a couple of years. I have produced several plants this way.'