Deja Vu…
Dear Readers,
I’ve been getting loads of mail the last few months about the toxicity of the Zamioculcas Zamiifolia, also known as the Zanzibar Gem, or the ZZ plant. I got one question recently that asked if ZZ releases toxic gases. I also got one that asked how to properly dispose of a ZZ plant, so [...]
Reader Mail
Hi Ivy,
I am writing partly for information and partly to help other people. We are staying with some friends at the moment and this evening my 11 month old boy had a bad experience with Zanzibar Gem. He was playing with the plant and broke one of the branches off and started chewing on it. [...]
Drooping Hens
Dear Ivy,
What does it mean when the leaves on my hen droop?
-Ms. Dangle
Dear Dangle,
I believe you might be referring to Hens and Chicks, more formally known as Sempervivum Tectorum. I’m pretty sure sempervivum means always alive, which is apt for this plant. It’s one of the very rare plants where you can set it and [...]
Reader Mail
Dear Ivy,
Can I cut ivy and replant the vine?
-Crew Cut Cary
Dear Cary,
Yes, you can! There are two main ways of propagating your ivy plant. The first one I’ll talk about is called “Pinning”. It’s a fun little experiment, and all you need is a pot filled with dirt, and a garden staple or two.
Pinning closely [...]
Re-Potting a Cast Iron Plant
Dear Ivy,
How do I re-pot a Zanzibar Gem?
-Putting New Roots Down
Dear Roots,
Easily! You can treat the ZZ like you would most any plant when re-potting, with just a few things tailored specifically to this species. Find a pot that’s a bit bigger than the one your plant is currently taking residence in. Make sure it [...]
Dear Ivy,
Is Zanzibar Gem toxic?
-Frettin’ Freddy
Dear Freddy,
Unfortunately, yes, this beautiful African native is poisonous if you eat it. All parts of the plant are. From the glossy gem-green leaves down the tubular stems to the potato-like water storage organ above the roots. So keep it out of reach of pets and curious toddlers…
And no snacking!
-Ivy
Gem Dilemma
Dear Ivy,
My Zanzibar Gem looks healthy as the leaves are glossy, but recently I have noticed that the stalks of the plant have blotches all over them, almost like they are bruised or look like little wet patches (but it’s dry) I only water once a month. Any ideas what it might be and how [...]
Condensed Coffee Concerns
I’ve been putting coffee grounds into my house plants. They like the extra boost the ground beans provide to the soil, but I’ve noticed that the coffee tends to become compacted on the surface, inhibiting evaporation, and hindering proper water absorption.
To remedy this, I just broke up the soil on top of my house plants [...]
Keeping Your Zanzibar Gem Zesty
Question: Why are leaves of zanzibar gem going yellow after transplanting?
Answer: There could be several reasons for this. My guess is that you may have over watered when you re-potted it. The Zanzibar Gem, also known as a ZZ plant, Latin name Zamioculcas Zamiifola, is a succulent that doesn’t appreciate being soaked. Most plants like [...]
Petunia Problems
Q: I think I over watered my petunias. They look like they died, can I bring them back?
A: This classic gardeners favorite doesn’t require much water, so it is likely you have given them more than they could handle. The soil in which you grow petunias should be very well drained. If planting them in [...]