The raven ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia ‘Raven’) is beloved for its striking dark purple almost black foliage. So if you’ve noticed vibrant green new growth emerging on your raven ZZ it can seem confusing and concerning. However, there’s no need to worry – green new shoots are totally normal for this variety.
Here’s an explanation of why raven ZZ produces lime green new growth along with tips for keeping your plant’s mature leaves dark and lush.
It’s Natural For New Growth to be Green
Raven ZZ plants naturally produce bright green new shoots that eventually turn dark purple So green new growth is not a cause for concern – it’s simply a stage in the plant’s development
The stems begin green when they first emerge. Then over time, they darken to the deep blackish-purple that gives raven ZZ its dramatic, gothic look. Full color transformation can take several weeks to a few months.
So as long as the older, established leaves maintain their dark hue, enjoy watching the new lime green shoots emerge! With proper care, they’ll gradually morph into the signature raven ZZ black.
Causes of Green New Growth
While green shoots are normal on raven ZZ plants, be aware that overly vibrant or lime green new growth can also signal issues like insufficient light or nutrient deficiencies.
Here are some potential reasons you may notice brighter than usual new growth:
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Low Light – Insufficient light prevents leaves from reaching their darkest potential. New growth remains light green instead of maturing to black.
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Nutrient Deficiency – Lack of nutrients like nitrogen and potassium can lead to light green new shoots. Fertilize to correct this.
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Root Problems – Damaged roots or rot reduce nutrient uptake, resulting in pale new growth. Check roots and repot if needed.
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Pests & Disease – Pests and diseases impair nutrient transport and cause chlorotic new shoots. Inspect and treat any issues.
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Transplant Shock – New shoots may be lighter after repotting while the plant recovers. Ensure proper care to reduce shock.
Caring for Your Raven ZZ Plant
While green new shoots are typical for raven ZZ plants, you can follow best care practices to keep growth as vibrantly black as possible:
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Light – Provide bright, indirect light to encourage deep black foliage. At least 4 hours of sun is ideal.
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Water – Allow soil to dry out between waterings and reduce water in winter. Preventing overwatering avoids nutrient issues.
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Soil – Use a well-draining potting mix amended with perlite, sand, or pumice.
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Fertilizer – Apply a balanced houseplant fertilizer every 2-4 weeks in spring and summer when actively growing.
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Temperature – Keep between 65°F-85°F. Avoid cold drafts which can shock plants.
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Pruning – Remove any dead or damaged leaves and stems to encourage new growth.
With the right growing conditions and care, you can enjoy stunning ink-black mature foliage contrasting with the lime green of new shoots.
Patience is Key
It’s important to be patient and allow proper time for the raven ZZ’s green shoots to darken. Here are some tips:
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Expect full transformation to take at least 4-8 weeks, sometimes longer for larger leaves.
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Don’t move the plant around. Consistent conditions help leaves mature.
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Avoid direct sun, which can scorch tender new growth before it pigments.
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Older leaves darken first. Bottom leaves will remain green longer as lower ones mature.
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If plants are stressed, color change can take longer. Eliminate any issues and be patient.
With time and maturity, the vivid green shoots will develop into the dramatic near-black leaves that make the raven ZZ plant so special.
Troubleshooting Raven ZZ Problems
If your raven ZZ plant is failing to thrive and new leaves remain stubbornly green, take these troubleshooting steps:
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Check roots – Repot if roots are crowded, mushy, or rotting. Discard diseased parts.
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Inspect for pests – Treat any spider mites, mealybugs, or other pests. Isolate plant after treatment.
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Rethink lighting – Does the plant get 4+ hours of bright indirect light? Move to a better spot.
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Consider nutrients – Fertilize monthly in the growing season with a balanced houseplant formula.
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Review watering – Ensure the plant fully dries out between waterings to prevent issues.
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Rule out disease – Look for signs of fungal or bacterial diseases. Apply treatments if found.
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Give it time – Some varieties just take longer to develop dark leaves. Be patient!
Enjoy Contrasting Colors
The striking green and purple color contrast is part of what makes growing the raven ZZ plant so fun. Now that you know it’s natural for new shoots to start off green, you can relax and allow them to transform at their own pace. With the right care, your plant’s maturing leaves will soon flaunt that gothic raven black you love.
Repotting The outer leaves eventually gracefully arch out.
I do all of my repotting in spring, summer, and early fall.
I don’t repot my ZZs very often. It depends on how they’re growing, but every four to six years is the general rule for mine.
That said, I repotted this Raven ZZ soon after bringing it home. It grew in straight peat moss, making it hard to regulate the moisture. I lost about 1/3 of the plant due to too much water, but it’s slowly growing back.
ZZ Plants have thick roots, which take up more and more room as they grow. As for pot size, it depends on how the root ball looks. One pot size up might do it.
My ZZ was growing in a 10-inch pot, so I cut it in half and put the bigger piece in a 16-by-13-inch pot. It’s still in that pot and doing great – you can see it in the two photos above. If you go up two or three pot sizes as I did, be mindful of watering too much. Greater soil mass can lead to soil staying too wet and root rot.
Division is the fastest way to get new plants. I divided my ZZ into three plants a few years ago. I kept two and gave one away.
I’ve also propagated a ZZ by stem cuttings. It’s a slow process, so be patient if you try it. You can also make more by cutting off leaves, but I think the growth process would take too long.
My ZZs have never gotten any. They can be susceptible to aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, and scale.
As with any pests, keep your eye out for them and take control immediately. They multiply like crazy and spread from houseplant to houseplant very quickly.
Is the Raven ZZ Plant toxic? Yes, all parts of this plant are. I have two kitties, and they pay no attention to my ZZs.
Most indoor plants are toxic to pets in some way. I share my thoughts on Houseplant Toxicity and our list of 11 Pet-Friendly Houseplants.
Black ZZ Plant Care Video Guide
The Raven Plant is no different than many other houseplants. It prefers and does best in indirect sunlight – moderate light exposure. Keep it out of direct sun; too much light will cause sunburn.
Mine sits about 7′ from a north-facing picture window and 14′ from a trio of south-facing windows. I live in Arizona, the sunniest state in the country, so lack of light isn’t an issue!.
It’s said to grow in low light, but keep in mind that you won’t see much growth and the stems may get tall.
In winter season, you may have to move yours to a spot with more light. If you put it outdoors for the summer, ensure it’s protected from direct sunlight and harsh rains. Bring it back indoors before the temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Are you wondering how often to water a Raven ZZ Plant? Three words – easy does it. This plant gets by with little water in terms of frequency.
I let mine go dry before watering again. In the summer, it’s once every 14 days, and in winter, every 21 days, give or take. I always tell you how often I water my specific houseplants so you have a starting point and can change it to fit your needs.
Yours might need watering less or more often. Many things affect this, such as the size of the pot, the type of soil used, where it’s grown, and the temperature and humidity in your home. The more light and warmth, the more often yours will need watering.
This plant grows by underground stems called rhizomes which store water along with the thick stems. Overwatering this plant will lead to a quick demise. The pot should have at least one drainage hole so that water can drain out and keep the roots from rotting.
This plant can go for longer periods without water in cooler, darker winter months.
Here’s a Guide to Watering Indoor Plants. This will help you in determining factors as to how often you water yours.
The average indoor temperature is fine. If your home’s comfortable, it’ll also be so for your houseplants. Keep your ZZ away from cold drafts and air conditioning or heating vents.
The good news is I live in a desert climate, and my three ZZs are all doing well. They handle low humidity like champs.
I mist the leaves now and then. I like this mister because it’s small, easy to hold, and puts out a nice amount of spray. I’ve had it for over four years, and it’s still going strong. I also put my plants out in the rain two or three times a year for extra moisture and to clean the foliage off.
I have this humidity meter in my dining room. It’s inexpensive but does the trick and still works fine after a few years. I run my Canopy humidifiers when the humidity reads low, often in the Arizona desert! This is the ZZ I’ve had for six years. You can see how wide it is!
Are you interested in Plant Humidity? We have a whole guide on it that you might find useful.
We have a long growing season here in Tucson from mid-February through October. I fertilize with Maxsea or Sea Grow, Grow Big, and Liquid Kelp seven times during the growing season. It’s how I feed all my tropical plants. I alternate using these granular and liquid fertilizers and don’t mix them.
Whatever indoor plant food you use, don’t give your ZZ too much of it. Too much of it can cause salts to build up and burn the roots of the plant. This will show up as brown spots on the leaves.
You want to avoid fertilizing any stressed houseplant, i. e. , bone dry or soaking wet. I don’t fertilize houseplants in late fall or winter because it’s not their active growing season.
The mix you use should have good drainage and be well aerated. Plants like this one like to dry out between waterings, so don’t let it stay wet for too long.
I used a mix of 3/4 potting soil (made for indoor plants) and 1/4 cactus and succulent mix, along with a few handfuls of compost and worm compost to make it more rich.
I use this DIY Cactus and Succulent Mix with coco chips, coir, and pumice. The potting soils I use are this one and this one. Sometimes I use them solely, and sometimes I blend them.
RAVEN ZZ PLANT CARE: HOW TO GROW THE BLACK ZZ PLANT
FAQ
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