How much sunlight does a ZZ plant need
David Edwards
Updated on May 01, 2026
ZZ plants do best in bright to moderate, indirect light, but will do fine in extremely low levels of light. This plant makes an ideal plant for a window-less office or bathroom where it will only receive small amounts of fluorescent light.
Does ZZ Plant need sunlight?
ZZ plants grow best in lots of indirect light (direct sunlight can cause the leaves to scorch), and thrive under the fluorescent lights of offices and commercial buildings. … (Morning sun is fine, but plants need protection from hot afternoon rays.)
Can ZZ Plant survive low light?
Despite its low light requirement, the ZZ Plant’s waxy leaves actually reflect sunlight to brighten rooms. It grows slowly, purifies the air, and will tolerate nearly any light exposure. Water your ZZ Plant roughly every 2-3 weeks, letting it dry moderately between soakings.
How much light do ZZ plants need?
Your ZZ Plant prefers medium to bright indirect light, but it is extremely adaptable. It will tolerate low light and fluorescent lighting in a windowless space. Water your ZZ Plant only when the soil is completely dry.How often do you water ZZ Plant?
ZZ’s like to dry out completely between waterings. They have an extremely efficient water retention mechanism, so you shouldn’t water this plant until its soil has become dry throughout the pot. In low light environments or winter, this can mean watering as infrequently as once a month.
Can I put ZZ Plant in window?
Virtues: The ZZ plant makes a bold statement in any room with its upright stems lined with stiff, dark green leaves. It thrives on benign neglect, putting up with uneven watering, cool temperatures, dry air and low light. … Ideally, provide bright light, such as that of a west- or east-facing window.
Should I mist ZZ Plant?
ZZ Plants are native to tropical regions. Despite this, are adaptable & do just fine in our homes which tend to have dry air. … Put the plant on the pebbles but make sure the drain holes &/or the bottom of the pot isn’t submerged in water. Misting a few times a week should help out too.
What kind of light do Calatheas need?
Indirect light – Calathea plants need bright, but not direct, sunlight to grow. This is because they grow on the floor of jungles and forests where they get limited light through the tops of the trees. In fact, direct sunlight will burn the leaves of a Calathea plant and cause it to lose its vibrant colors.What is bright indirect light for plants?
What is bright indirect light for plants? Bright Indirect light is when the sun’s rays don’t travel directly from the sun to your plant but, instead, bounce off something first. Plants in bright, indirect light will cast blurry, indistinct shadows. Bright indirect light is approximately 800-2000 foot candles.
What is indirect sunlight?What Is Indirect Sunlight? Indirect light is sunlight that either passes through a medium—a window shade or the leaves of a tree—or reflects off another surface before reaching a plant. Most indoor settings only provide indirect light.
Article first time published onCan ZZ plant grow in LED light?
You can absolutely use regular LED lighting, and your plants will be able to do a bit of photosynthesising from it. For example, if you have a dim corner with a ZZ plant or a golden pothos, a snake plant, then a regular lamp will do just fine.
Can ZZ plants grow in the dark?
One can never go wrong with the ZZ plant, otherwise called the Zanzibar gem. Its scientific name is Zamioculcas zamiifolia. This unbelievably low-maintenance and resilient indoor plant can tolerate and thrive in the poorest lighting situations, even on fluorescent light alone.
How long does a ZZ plant live?
It starts growing more upright and can grow outwards a few feet with age. The leaves make up 91% of this plant and each leaf can last up to 6 months in poor conditions, which is why the ZZ plant can live up to 4 months in low light, without water.
Do ZZ plants like moist soil?
Remember that ZZ Plants like to be watered deeply, but only occasionally. Check for dry soil before watering again and make sure your plant has porous soil and sufficient drainage.
Is ZZ plant good for bedroom?
Shiny leaves and a bold, upright form make this striking plant a must-have for your nightstand or empty floor space. … The ZZ Plant, otherwise known as Zamioculas Zamiifolia, tolerates extremely low light levels and irregular watering. To keep it healthy, water only when the top few inches of soil feels dry.
Do ZZ plants like heat?
Temperatures: The ZZ plant generally prefers temperatures between 65°F-75°F. It thrives best in humid climates, but can tolerate less humid climates, unless the air is really dry.
Do ZZ plants clean the air?
ZZ plant, with its wide, attractive, dark green leaves, boasts many favorable traits for offices and homes. … ZZ plant also is an air purifier and in a NASA study, researchers found it is specifically adept at removing copious amounts of toxins such as xylene, toluene, and benzene from the air.
Why is my ZZ plant drooping?
ZZ plant stalks most commonly droop or fall over due to overwatering, which leads to root rot. ZZ plant stems can also fall over due to light problems, severe under-watering, lack of or excessive fertilizer, cold stress, transplant stress or trauma.
Why do ZZ leaves turn yellow?
The number one cause of yellowing leaves among ZZ Plants is overwatering. ZZ Plants basically thrive off of neglect–they don’t need much water to survive. … Be sure to discard any excess water that flows into the saucer. Your ZZ Plant doesn’t like “wet feet,” as this can lead to root rot and eventual death of your ZZ.
What window is best for ZZ Plant?
Bright Light A room with south or south-west facing windows that receives direct sunlight for a large portion of the day. Direct sun in a bright light room can burn the leaves of your plants. It is best to place a sheer curtain over the window to diffuse the light or keep the plants a few feet away from the window.
Do plants need direct sunlight or just daylight?
Do plants need direct sunlight or just light? Again, it depends on the variety. Most houseplants thrive with at least four to six hours of bright, indirect sunlight each day. Some sun-loving plants – like succulents and cacti – can handle direct sunlight, while other types require only low levels of light.
Is light through a window considered direct sunlight?
Light through a window is not direct sunlight as some of the light is diffused and reflected as it passes through the window, reducing its intensity. Light through a window is the most direct form of light available indoors, but is usually at least 50% less intense than direct sunlight outdoors.
What is considered low light for indoor plants?
Low Light: Many rooms qualify as low light, especially in winter. Rooms with north-facing or partially shaded windows would qualify as low-light situations. If you can’t easily read a newspaper, it’s probably low light. Plants can still grow in low-light rooms with the addition of artificial light.
Where should I place my Calathea?
Lighting and humidity: Calathea plants thrive in humidity, prefer indirect lighting and will grow best in a shady room. Place your plants away from any open windows with sunlight. You can provide ample humidity by placing a humidifier in the room, or by placing the potted plants on top of a saucer filled with pebbles.
Do Calatheas like grow lights?
Calathea plants need at least 8 to 10 hours of bright indirect light a day. In winter, you might need to use a grow light in order to provide the same amount of daylight hours.
Can I put my Calathea under a grow light?
A full spectrum grow light is therefore great for common indoor plants such as Fiddle Leaf Figs, Philodendrons, Calatheas, Peace Lilies, Palms and more. Other popular grow light colours are red, blue and red & blue together. Red light is great for flowering, while blue helps with vegetative growth.
How do you know if your plant is getting enough light?
If your plant is not getting enough light, the most common sign is the yellowing and dropping of leaves, stunted leaf growth, elongated stems, and a dull-green color. … If your plant is getting the correct amount of light, then it will be a rich, pleasing green color.
What does full sun mean for indoor plants?
Light Bright “Bright light” or “full sun” means there is no barrier (curtains or blinds, a tall tree or building that creates shade) between the plant and the light source (a sunny window). This is where your plant will receive the most bright or direct light while indoors.
What plants are good for south facing window?
- Aloe Vera (Family: Liliaceae) …
- Garden Croton (Codiaeum variegatum)
- Jade plant (Crassula ovate)
- Hibiscus (Family: Malvaceae)
- String of Pearls (Curio rowleyanus)
- Dwarf Citrus (Citrus sinensis)
- African Milk Bush (Euphorbia trigona)
- Ponytail Palm (Beaucarnea recurvate)
Do regular lights help plants grow?
The Takeaway. So, to answer the question, yes you can use a regular light bulb to help plants grow. Your best bet would be to place a few LED lights designed for plants near your plants that need a little extra light. Be sure not to overheat the plant or to give it too much sun.
What color light helps plants grow best?
- Violet-blue light in the 400 – 520 nanometer range encourages chlorophyll absorption, photosynthesis, and growth.
- Red light in the 610 – 720 spectrum range promotes flowering and budding.