Black Raven ZZ Plant Care Tips
INSIDE : Learn the best Black Raven ZZ Care tips to grow healthy plants! From the best water amounts to it’s ideal light levels, this plant is a great indoor houseplant option. I especially love their dark black leaves and stems.

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After realizing how incredible ZZ plants are or Zamioculcas zamiifolia, I knew I needed more of them in my life. My ZZ plant is a baby and they are such slow growers, I knew if I got another ZZ that it would have to be a bigger one from the start.
Well, not only did I get a bigger plant, but I decided to go for the gold and got myself a Black Raven ZZ. So, not only is it a larger specimen, but it also has stunning black stems and leaves. Yes please, and thank you!
What is a Raven ZZ Plant?
A Raven ZZ plant is one of my favorite plants and so easy to grow. The Black Raven comes from the ZZ Plant (the Latin name is Zamioculcas zamiifolia). It’s Latin name is so long, that most people simply refer to this plant as a ZZ.
It is native to Eastern Africa, Kenya and South Africa regions. You can find ZZ plants growing naturally in dry grasslands and along riverbanks in those places.
The ZZ plant thrives in just about any indoor setting. However, the Raven ZZ plant has beautiful deep dark purple, almost black leaves. The new shoots and leaves start off a bright green color before they mature and turn dark.
ZZ plants tolerate minimal watering, low light and they handle low humidity as well.
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What is Raven Plant care?
In general, the best way to care for a Raven plant are to let them be. They are such great plants to have in your home because they do so well with fairly minimal maintenance.
Although they are quite tolerant of shade, making them a good plant to start with and are one of my 11 Hard to Kill Plants, they also do well in indirect sunlight. They have a striking vertical shape that is unlike most common houseplants. The larger plants really have a lovely presence.
New shoots and leaves have a bright green color and with age, they eventually turn a beautiful black color. I just love the high contrast of their more mature leaves.
In addition to handling low light, they require very little water. It’s often said “get a ZZ plant and forget it”.
How often should I water my Raven Plant?
The Raven ZZ plant is a notoriously low water plant… as in VERY infrequent watering is it’s jam! Because of their rhizome roots, they can go long periods of time without water.
Before you water your ZZ again, you should make sure the soil has completely dried out. Even during their prime growth time, watering your Black Raven ZZ only once every two or three weeks is necessary, but I often tend to water it once every three to four weeks.
And in the cooler, winter months I only water my ZZ every six weeks or so.
What kind of light does a Black ZZ plant need?
The Black ZZ plant can survive in very low light conditions, which makes it a great option for offices, darker bathrooms, shady spots in living rooms or bedrooms.
However, I have found that although they stay alive in darker areas, their ideal light condition is bright indirect light. They don’t do well with direct sunlight, so be careful of putting it too nearby to a window.
Why is my Black ZZ Plant so tall and leggy?
If you notice your plant is growing really tall and leggy, without many leaves on it’s stems, this could be a sign that it is searching for more sunlight. Finding the ideal amount of sunlight can be tricky, but start by placing your Raven ZZ about 5′ away from a sunny window.
Do you love plants like me? You might like some of my other Plant Care + Tip posts.
Why are my ZZ Raven’s leaves turning black?
Black leaves and stems is part of the beauty of a Raven ZZ. As new growth emerges, it’s bright green. Within a short amount of time both the new shoot and any new leaves turn from bright green to a dark dark purple almost black color.
Nothing is wrong with your plant if it turns black, that’s the magic of this species!
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What do I need to grow a healthy Zee Zee plant?
Really there is not much you need to grow one of these beautiful plants, but here are a few things that might be helpful along the way.
Plant Moisture Meter | Pruning Shears | Black Raven ZZ plant | Spray Water Bottle
Is a ZZ Raven a rare plant?
Yes, Black Ravens are a more uncommon plant as they were just introduced into the United States in 2019. However, as they continue to grow in popularity you will be begin to see them at more and more nursery and store locations.
What are some common issues with ZZ Raven plants?
There are not many negatives to a ZZ plant. However, there could be a few small downfalls that I’ll discuss below.
1. My ZZ plant leaves are turning yellow and mushy.
– Yellow and mushy leaves are a tell-tale sign of root rot. Due to the low water use of ZZ’s overwatering is a common issue. Once you see yellowing leaves, allow your plant to dry out completely, about a month or so. Then, check on the roots to see if they need trimmed where they may be squishy. You can also add sand or perlite to your soil to help with better drainage.
Black Raven ZZ plant care
Learn the best Black Raven ZZ Care tips to grow healthy plants! From the best water amounts to it’s ideal light levels, this plant is a great indoor houseplant option. I especially love their dark black leaves and stems.
Materials
- Plant Moisture Meter
- Pruning Shears
- Black Raven ZZ plant
- Spray Water Bottle
Instructions
- The Raven ZZ plant is a very low water plant and because of their rhizome roots, they can go long periods of time without water.
- Before you water your ZZ again, you should make sure the soil has completely dried out. Even during their prime growth time, watering your Black Raven ZZ only once every two or three weeks.
- The Black ZZ plant can survive in very low light conditions, which makes it a great option for offices, darker bathrooms, shady spots in living rooms or bedrooms. However, their ideal light condition is near indirect light.
- If you notice your plant is growing really tall and leggy, without many leaves on it’s stems, this could be a sign that it is searching for more sunlight, so move it closer to a light source.
- As new growth emerges on a Black Raven ZZ, it is bright green, but within a short amount of time both the new shoot and any new leaves turn from bright green to a dark purple, almost black color.
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