ZZ plant care in Dubai, and the 'money plant' mix-up

A ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) needs water only every 2 to 4 weeks in a Dubai home, moderate to low indirect light, and a pot with good drainage. Its thick underground rhizomes store water, so too much watering does more harm than too little.

Key takeaways

• Water every 2 to 3 weeks in summer and every 3 to 5 weeks in winter, only once the soil is dry.
• It handles low light, but grows more steadily in bright indirect light.
• Yellow leaves usually mean overwatering.
• AC airflow and dry air are tolerated well. Keep it out of a direct cold blast.
• "Money plant" is used for several different plants. Check the botanical name before you follow any care advice.

Is a ZZ plant the same as a money plant?

Not necessarily, and this confuses a lot of buyers in the UAE. "Money plant" is a common name that gets used for at least three different plants:

• Pothos (Epipremnum aureum): the trailing vine most people in South Asia and the Gulf call a money plant. See our golden pothos care guide.
• ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia): an upright plant with glossy, oval leaflets on thick stems. It is sometimes sold as a "money plant" or "lucky plant" because it is tough and is associated with prosperity.
• Money tree (Pachira aquatica): a plant with a braided trunk and hand-shaped leaves, sold under the name "money tree".

Our shop lists products named "Money Plant Holland" and "Money Tree". We haven't matched either listing to a botanical name for this guide, so we haven't linked them here. If you want a ZZ plant, ask for Zamioculcas by that name before you order, and compare the leaves to the description above. This guide is about the ZZ.

How much light does a ZZ plant need?

A ZZ plant is one of the easiest choices for rooms with limited natural light. It will live in a dim corner, but it will grow slowly and may stretch. Medium to bright indirect light gives you thicker, glossier growth. Avoid direct summer sun through Dubai window glass, which can leave pale burn marks on the leaflets.

How often should you water a ZZ plant in a Dubai summer?

The rhizomes under the soil hold water, so ZZ plants forgive missed waterings but not soggy soil. In summer, under AC, check the soil every 2 weeks and water when it is dry at least halfway down the pot. In most air-conditioned rooms that works out to every 2 to 3 weeks. Water thoroughly, let the excess drain, and don't leave the pot standing in a saucer of water.

And in winter, from November to March?

Growth nearly stops in the cooler months, so the plant uses very little water. Every 3 to 5 weeks is typical. If your room is cool and the plant sits in low light, stretch the gap further. A pot that stays wet for weeks is the main way to lose one.

What does air conditioning do to a ZZ plant?

ZZ plants cope with dry indoor air better than most tropical foliage plants. You don't need humidity trays. What you do need is to keep the leaflets out of a constant stream of cold air from a vent, because it can cause leaflets to yellow or drop. Move the pot a metre or so to one side and watch for a few weeks. The AC also slows how fast the soil dries, so keep checking before watering.

What soil and pot work for a ZZ plant?

Use a well-draining indoor potting mix with extra perlite or coarse sand. Terracotta pots help wick moisture out. ZZ rhizomes grow thick and can push against the pot or even crack a thin plastic one. Repot every 2 to 3 years, or when the rhizomes crowd the surface, into a pot one size up. Divide the clump when you repot if you want more plants. We can help with large specimens through our plant repotting service.

How big does a ZZ plant get indoors?

Mature indoor plants usually reach roughly 60 to 90 cm tall and as wide, with arching stems. It is a slow grower, adding only a handful of new stems a year in a normal home, so choose the size you want to live with.

Why are my ZZ plant's leaves turning yellow or brown?

• Yellow leaves with soft stems: overwatering and rhizome rot. Unpot it, cut away any mushy, dark rhizomes with clean scissors, let the cuts dry for a day, then repot in fresh dry mix.
• A single yellow lower stem: normal ageing. Cut that stem off at the base.
• Brown, dry leaf tips: underwatering for a long time, a vent blowing on the plant, or salt build-up. Water deeply and flush through the pot once in a while.
• Wrinkled stems: the plant is dry. Give it a thorough soak.
• Pale, scorched patches: direct sun through glass.

Which pests affect ZZ plants?

ZZ plants are fairly pest-resistant, but they can get mealybugs, spider mites, scale and fungus gnats. Mealybugs hide where the stem meets the leaflet; dab them with a cotton bud dipped in rubbing alcohol. Spider mites show as fine speckling and thrive in dry air, so wipe leaves and rinse the plant in the shower. Scale looks like small brown bumps; scrape it off. Fungus gnats come from constantly damp soil, so water less often.

Does the plant need cleaning?

Glossy leaflets show dust quickly in Dubai. Wipe them with a damp cloth every month or two so they can take in light.

For a similar low-effort plant, see our snake plant care guide. To look at what we sell, visit the indoor plants category, and if you'd like help looking after plants in an office or lobby, our team can look at them as part of plant maintenance, quoted after a free site visit.

Reviewed by Hamza, site supervisor at Green Beetle.