ZZ Plant

The ZZ plant is the friend you give the darkest hallway. Glossy, upright leaves that stay handsome even when the watering can goes missing for a week or two.

Shady flat? North-facing room? The ZZ plant has seen worse. Wipe the leaves now and then, water sparingly, and it keeps that polished look that makes a hallway feel finished.

An easy houseplant for real homes

• Where it lives. Happiest on a hallway, bedroom corner or office shelf.
• Light. Copes with shady corners; brighter light means fuller growth.
• Water. When the top of the compost feels dry. Tip away any water left in the saucer.
• Around the family. Best placed where nibbling pets and small children can’t reach the leaves.

Your questions answered

Is this a good houseplant for beginners?
Yes. It’s one of the more forgiving indoor plants we stock, and a gentle place to start if you’re new to growing in a flat.

What size should I choose?
Smaller pots suit windowsills, desks and shelves. Larger sizes make more of a statement on the floor or beside furniture. Sizes available: 12cm pot / about 50cm tall, 14cm pot / about 45cm tall, 17cm pot / about 65cm tall.

Do I need a grow light?
Not usually, if you can offer the light described above. In a very dark flat, a simple white plant light on a shelf can help through midwinter.

The details

A little green for a hallway, bedroom corner, chosen for real UK homes without a garden.