Zamioculcas zamiifolia, also known as "lucky feather", draws attention to itself in particular with its foliage and growth habit. However, this does not mean that it does not produce flowers or that it is less attractive than flowering houseplants. The opposite is the case, because this impressive plant with its attractive leaves is a real eye-catcher in every home. With good care, it even forms bizarre-looking flowers.
The Zamioculcas is a popular houseplant
origin, use and appearance
The extravagant foliage plant, which is widespread in many regions of East and South Africa, can be cultivated both in the home and in the conservatory. The lucky feather is evergreen and grows stiffly upright to at least a meter in height, with the leaf stalks sprouting directly from the thick, fleshy rhizome. The plant has very unusual leaves: strong, stiff, pinnate leaves grow on thickened leaf stalks and fleshy midribs. These are shiny dark green and darker in color the less light the plant is in. Sometimes individual feathers fall off - especially when the plant is young - and form small nodules on moist substrate, which take root and grow into new plants.
Location, care and propagation
This showy plant does best in a bright, but not direct sun spot. In an emergency, the lucky feather will also make do with a partially shaded or darker place. During the vegetation period, you should keep the plant evenly slightly moist, but avoid waterlogging. In winter, Zamioculcas should be a little cooler - but not below 16 °C - and should be watered less. Spray the plant regularly with soft water or rainwater, this ensures an evenly high humidity and keeps spider mites and other pests away. In summer, the plant can be supplied with a liquid green plant fertilizer about every four weeks. Propagation is also very easy by division or leaf cuttings.
Caution: poisonous!
As a typical arum plant (Araceae), Zamioculcas zamiifolia is slightly poisonous. Contact with the plant sap (e.g. through consumption) can irritate and swell the mucous membranes, although these symptoms are usually short-lived. If the sap gets into your eyes, be sure to rinse them thoroughly.
tips
If there is a lack of light, the leaves turn yellow and are thrown off. An insufficient supply of nutrients can also be the cause. If the air is too dry and the heat is too high, the edges and tips of the leaves dry up and the plant makes a generally limp impression.