Keeping a houseplant has a ton of benefits, including freshening the air, beautifying the surroundings and lifting spirits. However, many worry that looking after a plant takes a lot of dedication and that they simply don't have time.

If you wish to spruce up your space at home or in the office without making a big commitment, a low-maintenance houseplant like the zanzibar gem, also known as the zamioculcas zamiifolia, or ZZ plant for short, is the perfect plant for you! 

What is Zanzibar Gem?

The zanzibar gem is widely known for their unique appearance: fresh stems full of shiny, oval-shaped, lush, deep green leaves. Their minimalistic look paired with a white or plain coloured pot has been one of their biggest appeals in recent years, making them a very popular plant to keep.

Notorious for being relatively low-maintenance, these plants are easy to care for and to keep alive, even for newbie gardeners. These "drought-tolerant" plants require very little effort to get by; just adequate light, leaf-cleaning with a chemical-free damp cloth, a good watering session every few weeks and a lookout for common houseplant pests like aphids, fungus gnats, mealy bugs and scale.

Still, it's good to know the specifics and planting care and the basics of how to look after these natural air purifiers.

Types of Zanzibar Gems you can find in Hong Kong

You can find different styles of this plant scattered around florists and online flower shops in Hong Kong. Among the most popular are zamioculcas zamiifolia ‘Raven’ and zamioculcas zamiifolia ‘Variegated’.

Zamioculcas zamiifolia ‘Raven’ is a very suitable name for this mysterious Zanzibar plant. It is a relatively new variety, and is distinguished by its gorgeous, dark purple-maroon foliage.

Zamioculcas zamiifolia ‘Variegated’ is a little more common and is characterized by its deep green foliage with patches or streaks of white and yellow. Hence, it is known as "variegated". This variegation fades if the plant is not given adequate light.