ZZ Raven (Zamioculcas zamiifolia 'Raven') is the dark side of the ZZ plant: the same tough, glossy, upright stems, but with leaves that emerge bright green and mature to a deep, almost black purple-green. It is one of the most striking foliage plants you can grow, and one of the easiest — a plant that thrives on neglect.
Like the classic green ZZ, Raven stores water in thick rhizomes underground, so it survives weeks without water and tolerates low light that would kill most plants. The dark colour develops best in bright light, though — in a dim corner the new leaves stay green for longer. It is toxic to cats and dogs if eaten, so keep it away from chewing pets. This guide covers light, watering, humidity, temperature, soil, repotting, feeding, propagation and the common problems that show up when something is off.
ZZ Raven at a glance
| Care factor | What this plant needs |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Zamioculcas zamiifolia 'Raven' |
| Light | bright indirect |
| Water | every 1–2 weeks; let top soil dry |
| Humidity | moderate |
| Temperature | 65–80°F (18–27°C) |
| Repotting | every 2–3 years |
| Pet safety | toxic to cats and dogs |
Light
Give your ZZ Raven bright indirect light. A spot near an east- or west-facing window is usually ideal, or a metre or so back from a bright south-facing window. In the right light the plant grows steadily and keeps its colour; in too little light growth turns weak and stretched, and the plant loses the look that makes it worth growing. Our grow-light calculator can help work out whether your spot is bright enough.
Bright indirect light is ideal, and it is what brings out the darkest colour: new leaves emerge green and darken as they mature, and in bright light they darken faster and deeper. It will survive in low light, but the growth slows and the leaves stay greener. Keep it out of harsh direct sun, which can scorch the leaves.
Watering
Water: every 1–2 weeks; let top soil dry. The golden rule is to check the soil before you water rather than watering on a fixed day — push a finger into the mix and water thoroughly only when it has dried to the depth the plant prefers, letting the excess run out of the drainage holes. Then empty the saucer so the plant never sits in standing water. Our watering calculator gives a starting point for your pot size, and the watering schedule generator can help you build a routine around it.
Water only when the top few centimetres of soil have dried — every 1–2 weeks is usually right, and less in winter. The rhizomes store water, so this plant forgives drought easily, but it rots fast in wet soil. Water thoroughly when you do water, let it drain completely, and never let the pot sit in water.
Humidity and temperature
ZZ Raven needs moderate humidity and temperatures of 65–80°F (18–27°C). Humidity is the care factor most homes get wrong: heated indoor air in winter is far drier than most houseplants like, and the first sign is usually brown, crispy leaf edges. Grouping plants together, a pebble tray under the pot, or a small humidifier near the plant all help; a humidifier is the only method that reliably lifts humidity enough. Misting does very little — the water evaporates in minutes. Our humidity and temperature checker can tell you whether your room suits this plant.
Moderate humidity is fine, and ordinary household air suits it perfectly. It does not need misting or a humidifier, and it tolerates the dry air of a heated home better than most tropical plants.
Soil and potting
Indoors, ZZ Raven needs a rich but free-draining potting mix. Standard potting soil on its own can hold too much water and compact over time, so mix it with perlite and orchid bark to keep air around the roots while still holding some moisture. A pot with drainage holes is not optional; without one, water has nowhere to go and root rot follows. Our potting-mix calculator can work out the parts for a homemade mix for your pot size.
Use a very free-draining mix — standard potting soil with plenty of perlite and bark. The rhizomes rot in wet, heavy soil, so drainage is the priority, and the pot must have drainage holes.
Repotting
Repot every 2–3 years, in spring, or sooner if roots are circling the drainage holes. Move up only one pot size — a pot that is too big holds wet soil the roots cannot use, and that is a fast route to rot. Our repotting calculator can help you work out the next pot size and how much fresh mix you will need.
Repot every 2–3 years in spring, moving up only one size. ZZ plants grow slowly and tolerate being pot-bound — in fact, a slightly tight pot helps keep the soil from staying wet. Repotting is also the moment to divide the rhizomes — see Propagation below.
Feeding
Feed during the growing season, in spring and summer, with a balanced liquid houseplant fertiliser at half the strength on the label, roughly once a month while the plant is actively growing. Do not feed in autumn and winter when growth slows. Always follow the directions on the label — more fertiliser is not better, and excess salts build up in the soil and burn the roots, which often shows up as brown leaf edges. If you have been feeding heavily, flush the soil with plain water occasionally to wash the salts out. Our fertiliser calculator can help you get the dose right.
Feed lightly — once a month at half strength in spring and summer is plenty. ZZ Raven is a slow grower that needs very little food, and overfeeding burns the roots and the leaf edges.
Propagation
ZZ Raven is propagated by division or by leaf cuttings. Division is fastest: at repotting time, separate the rhizomes into pieces, each with stems and roots, and pot each piece separately.
Leaf cuttings also work, but slowly: push a single leaflet into moist potting mix and wait — it can take months for a rhizome and a new stem to form, so be patient. Cuttings grown from a dark leaf keep the Raven colour.
Common problems and fixes
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Brown leaf tips | Low humidity | Trim brown tips; raise humidity; use filtered water if tap water is hard. |
| Slow growth | Too little light or pot-bound | Give more bright light; repot if pot-bound. |
| Pests | Check undersides of leaves regularly | Inspect leaf undersides weekly; isolate and wipe or shower the plant. |
Brown leaf tips
Likely cause: low humidity. Trim the brown tips with clean scissors, following the leaf's shape, and raise the humidity around the plant — a pebble tray or humidifier helps more than misting. If your tap water is hard, switch to filtered or rainwater, since salts can also crisp the edges. Check the humidity with our humidity and temperature checker and move the plant away from radiators and hot, dry draughts.
Slow growth
Likely cause: too little light or pot-bound. First check the light: move the plant a little closer to a bright window and see whether new growth picks up over the next month. Then check whether it is pot-bound — roots circling the drainage holes mean it is time to repot into a pot one size larger with fresh mix. Do not try to force growth with extra fertiliser; a plant that is short of light or root room will not use it, and the salts can burn the roots.
Pests
Likely cause: check undersides of leaves regularly. Inspect the undersides of the leaves every week, especially in warm weather, and isolate the plant at the first sign of trouble so pests do not spread to neighbours. Wipe the leaves with a damp cloth or give the plant a gentle shower, and repeat weekly until the pests are gone. Our pest identifier helper can help you work out what you are dealing with before you treat it.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I water ZZ Raven?
Every 1–2 weeks; let top soil dry. Check the soil with your finger before watering rather than watering on a fixed day — pots dry out at different rates depending on light, pot size and the season.
How much light does ZZ Raven need?
It needs bright indirect light. Too little light gives weak, stretched growth, while harsh direct sun can scorch the leaves, so a bright spot out of direct midday sun suits most plants in this guide.
Is ZZ Raven safe for cats and dogs?
According to the data used for this guide, this plant is toxic to cats and dogs. Keep it out of reach of pets that chew plants, and if a pet eats any of it, contact your vet.
When should I repot ZZ Raven?
Repot every 2–3 years, in spring, or sooner if roots are circling the drainage holes. Move up only one pot size so the fresh mix does not stay wet for too long.
Why are my ZZ Raven's leaves staying green instead of turning black?
New leaves always emerge bright green and darken over weeks to months as they mature. Bright indirect light speeds the change — in a dim spot they stay green much longer. Give it a brighter position and a little patience, and the leaves should darken.