To understand what light is best for me, the ZZ plant, you must first know where I come from. My botanical name is Zamioculcas zamiifolia, and I hail from the arid, rocky grasslands and forests of Eastern Africa. In this native habitat, I grow under the canopy of larger trees and shrubs. This means I am adapted to thriving in bright, but filtered or dappled, light. The tall trees protect my glossy leaves from the harsh, direct rays of the African sun, which can scorch and damage my foliage. My rhizomatous root system, which looks like a small potato, is my secret weapon. It stores vast amounts of water and nutrients, allowing me to endure long periods of drought and, crucially, periods of lower light by growing very slowly and conserving energy. So, while I am incredibly adaptable, my ideal light is a faithful recreation of my home: bright, indirect light.
For me, the "best" light is bright, indirect light. This means a spot in your home where the sun's rays never directly touch my leaves, but the room is filled with abundant, ambient light. A perfect location is near an east-facing window, where I can bask in the gentle morning sun, or a few feet back from a south or west-facing window, shielded by a sheer curtain. In these conditions, I can photosynthesize efficiently. My leaves will maintain their deep, rich green color, and I will reward your care with steady, healthy growth, potentially even sending up new shoots now and then. This is the light condition in which I feel most vibrant and can express my full, lush potential.
Now, you asked specifically about low light, and this is where my reputation as an indestructible houseplant comes from. While bright, indirect light is my "best" scenario, I am a champion of low-light conditions. My leaves are adapted with a high concentration of chlorophyll, the pigment that captures light energy for photosynthesis. This allows me to make the most of even the faintest light sources. Furthermore, my water-storing rhizomes mean I don't need constant energy from photosynthesis to support rapid growth. In low light, I simply enter a state of dormancy or very slow growth, patiently waiting for conditions to improve. I won't die quickly in a dim corner, but my growth will be extremely slow, and I will not produce many new stems.
If you place me in a low-light area, there are a few things you can do to ensure I remain healthy. First, and most importantly, you must drastically reduce your watering frequency. In low light, my metabolism slows down, and I use very little water. Overwatering is the single greatest threat to my life in these conditions, as it will cause my rhizomes to rot. Allow the soil to dry out completely, and I mean completely, before you even think about giving me a drink. This might mean watering only once a month or even less during the winter. Second, please do not fertilize me. I am not growing and have no need for extra nutrients, which would only build up in the soil and potentially harm my roots. Finally, an occasional helping hand is to gently dust my leaves with a soft, damp cloth. Dust can further block the minimal light I am receiving, so keeping my leaves clean helps me maximize my light-capturing ability.
While I am tolerant of low light, there is one condition I cannot abide: intense, direct sunlight. If you place me in a spot where the hot afternoon sun beams directly onto my leaves, especially through a glass window, it will cause severe damage. You will see the signs quickly: my beautiful green leaves will develop brown, crispy, scorched patches or yellow blotches. This sunscald is irreversible and weakens me. If you notice this, please move me to a shadier location immediately. A little direct morning sun is usually tolerable, but the harsh midday and afternoon sun are my enemies. Remember, it is always safer for me to be in a slightly too-dark spot than a slightly too-sunny one.
