'Zenzi' ZZ plant guide
Zamioculcas zamiifolia 'Zenzi', also called dwarf ZZ plant, Zenzi ZZ, Zamicro
Published 2026-11-08
Quick care
- Light
- Low
- Water
- When the soil is dry all the way down
- Humidity
- Dry room air is fine
- Temperature
- 15 to 29°C (60 to 85°F). Keep above 10°C (50°F).
- Soil
- Well-draining houseplant mix with extra perlite
- Feeding
- Half-strength fertilizer two or three times in spring and summer
- Pets
- Toxic to cats and dogs if chewed
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Mature size
- 30 to 60 cm (1 to 2 ft) tall
- Propagation
- Division, or leaf cuttings (slow)
- Where to buy
- Plant shops
This page covers what makes 'Zenzi' ZZ plant different. For light, water, soil, pests, and the rest, read the ZZ plant care guide.
What it is
‘Zenzi’ is a dwarf ZZ plant. Its stems are short and thick, and the leaflets are small, round, and packed close together. The leaves curl up a little at the tips. It stays under 60 cm (2 ft) tall, so it fits on a desk or shelf.
How to tell it apart
| Plant | Leaves | The tell |
|---|---|---|
| ‘Zenzi’ | Small, round, crowded leaflets | Short stems with leaflets almost touching |
| ZZ plant | Larger, pointed, spaced leaflets | Tall, arching stems |
| ‘Raven’ ZZ plant | Near-black, regular size | The black color |
‘Zamicro’ is a similar compact ZZ. The two are often sold under either name.
Care differences
Its small pot dries out faster than a big ZZ, but it still needs the soil dry all the way down before you water. In a small pot, that may be every two to three weeks in summer.
It grows slow, even for a ZZ. Expect a few new stems a year.
Grow it by division
Ease it out of its pot and break the potato-like rhizomes apart. Each piece needs a stem or two. Pot each piece on its own. Leaf cuttings work too, but take months.
Buying it
‘Zenzi’ shows up at plant shops and some garden centers. Look for short, upright stems with leaflets packed close. Long, floppy stems mean it grew in low light, and they will not shorten.