Where should I put my ZZ Plant?

Hallways, offices, bathrooms, and rooms with only fluorescent or overhead light. ZZ grows in very low light, even with only fluorescent light (NC State Extension), and Clemson Extension notes it can be grown easily in darker rooms. Best window direction: Any direction; north-facing works fine. Placement: At a north window or even a fairly dark corner (UMN Extension’s guidance for low-light plants). Missouri Extension notes even low-light plants usually get too little light more than 10 feet from an average window. Target light: 50–250 fc (UMN Extension, low-light group).

What temperature does a ZZ Plant need?

Temperature for ZZ Plant: Above 60°F (16°C) (Clemson Extension).

Placement · ZZ Plant

Where to Put Your ZZ Plant

Hallways, offices, bathrooms, and rooms with only fluorescent or overhead light. ZZ grows in very low light, even with only fluorescent light (NC State Extension), and Clemson Extension notes it can be grown easily in darker rooms.

ZZ plantZamioculcas zamiifolia

Part to full shade
Dry between
Toxic to cats and dogs (NC State)

Best window: Any direction; north-facing works fine
Distance from window: At a north window or even a fairly dark corner (UMN Extension’s guidance for low-light plants). Missouri Extension notes even low-light plants usually get too little light more than 10 feet from an average window.
Target light: 50–250 fc (UMN Extension, low-light group)
Room temperature: Above 60°F (16°C) (Clemson Extension)

What to avoid

Full sun (Clemson Extension), since direct sunlight can scald and brown the leaves (NC State Extension); temperatures below 60°F (Clemson Extension); and overwatering, which can lead to root rot.

Most common placement mistake

Putting it right in a south-facing window. ZZ is so often called low-light tolerant that owners overcorrect and put it in direct sun, which can scald and brown the leaves (NC State Extension).

How to measure light at home

A foot-candle (fc) is a unit of light intensity. You can measure it with a smartphone light meter app (NC State Extension notes some are free) or an inexpensive handheld light meter. Clemson Extension groups indoor plants by the light they prefer and says where each group does well:

Low, 75–200 fc: several feet back from an east window, or at a north window (Clemson’s examples: peace lily, heart-leaf philodendron, cast-iron plant)
Medium, 200–500 fc: within several feet of a west or south window, or at an east window (African violet, Boston fern, dumb cane)
High, 500–1,000 fc: near a west- or south-facing window or glass door (weeping fig, English ivy, schefflera)
Very high, 1,000 fc or more: few homes have enough light outside a sunroom or greenhouse (hibiscus, wax begonia, geranium)

NC State Extension lists 25–74 fc as enough only to maintain low-light plants, and Missouri Extension notes that even low-light plants usually get too little light more than 10 feet from an average window.

Pet safety placement note: ZZ Plant is toxic to cats and dogs per NC State Extension. Place out of reach of pets and children — a high shelf, hanging planter, or closed room. Verify on NC State Extension

Sources: Clemson Extension — ZZ plant (HGIC 1570); NC State Extension — Zamioculcas zamiifolia; University of Missouri Extension G6515; UMN Extension

For full ZZ Plant care — watering schedule, fertilizing, pests, and propagation — see the ZZ Plant care guide. Or check out how big ZZ Plant gets.