People kill both of these plants by watering them normally.
The ZZ stores water in underground rhizomes that look like potatoes. The snake plant stores it in its leaves.
Overwater either one and the damage is already done before the leaves even show it.
What Are These Two Plants
The ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is from Eastern Africa. It grew in shaded, dry forest floors for centuries before Dutch nurseries figured out how to mass produce it in 1996. Before that, almost nobody outside Africa had heard of it.
The snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) is from tropical West Africa. You'll still see it sold under the old name Sansevieria trifasciata in most nurseries. Scientists reclassified it in 2017 after DNA sequencing placed it in the Dracaena family.
Both plants evolved in dry, low-light conditions. That's why they work so well indoors.
How They Look
Light
Daylight drops in Canada during winter. December gets around 9 hours of daylight. January skies are overcast or cloudy 60% of the time. Solar energy hitting your windows drops to its lowest point of the year.
Most tropical plants struggle but these 2 remain consistent.
ZZ plant tolerates low light better than most other plant options. It'll sit in a north-facing room or a dark corner and grow slowly. It won't die though.
Snake plant also handles low light well. There's a story of one thriving in a school room with zero windows, only fluorescent lights on during the day. But it shows better color and grows faster when it gets bright indirect light.
If your home gets little natural light from October onwards, the ZZ is the safer choice.
If you can get the plant near a window even for part of the day, the snake plant will reward you visibly.
Soil and Pots
Well-draining soil. A cactus or succulent mix works well for both. Adding perlite helps even more. It keeps the soil aerated and lets water move through instead of sitting.
Never use outdoor soil indoors. It brings pests and organisms that your plant doesn't need.
For pots, terracotta is a good choice for snake plants. The clay pulls moisture away from the soil, which lowers the chance of root rot.
Decorative pots work too but they must have a drainage hole at the bottom. No drainage hole means water collects at the bottom and that can kill both plants.
Pot size is important. No need to go big as more soil means increased moisture and time to dry out. Give the roots about 2 inches of room around the root ball and leave it there until the plant needs additional space.
Humidity
Snake plant is comfortable at 30% to 50% indoor humidity. No special tools or equipment is required.
ZZ plant is similar. It tolerates dry air well because its rhizomes store moisture internally. In dry conditions, occasional misting is useful, but it's not mandatory.
Fertilizing
Over-fertilizing does more damage than under-fertilizing for both plants.
ZZ plant: A balanced liquid fertilizer during spring and summer only. Skip winters. The plant is barely growing and extra nutrients just sit in the soil unused.
Snake plant: Half-strength general fertilizer at the start of spring and once in mid-summer. Two feeds a year.
Our guide helps you choose the best fertilizer for a snake plant.
Are They Safe for Pets?
Neither plant is pet safe
ZZ plant contains calcium oxalate crystals. If a pet chews on it or ingests it, expect vomiting and diarrhea. It can also cause skin irritation on contact, so washing your hands after handling it is a good habit.
There was a rumor going around that ZZ plants cause cancer. That's been fully debunked. No scientific evidence supports it. The toxicity is real but it's limited to irritation and ingestion symptoms.
Snake plant contains saponins. Cats and dogs will vomit if they chew the leaves. The contact irritation is milder than ZZ but ingestion is still a problem.
If you have pets that chew on plants, both need to go somewhere out of reach. A high shelf, a hanging planter, a room the pet doesn't access.
Air Purifying: What's Actually True
Both plants get marketed as air purifiers constantly.
The claim comes from a 1989 NASA study where plants removed toxic compounds like benzene and xylene from the air.
But they're not a replacement for opening a window or running an air purifier. The air quality benefit is a small bonus rather than the main reason to own either plant.
When Things Go Wrong
Yellow or brown leaves on either plant usually means one of three things: overwatering, root rot, or pests. Try watering less first. If the soil smells bad or the base feels mushy, repot into dry fresh mix.
Pests on snake plant:
- Spider mites, mealybugs, and thrips respond to neem oil or insecticidal soap
- For scale insects, rubbing alcohol applied directly works well
- Dust on the leaves blocks photosynthesis. Wipe both sides with a damp cloth every few weeks.
ZZ plant drooping is due to overwatering usually. The rhizomes rot before the leaves show it. Check the soil and if it's wet, let it dry out completely before watering again.
Slow growth on ZZ in winter is normal. It's just waiting for increased light levels.
Propagating
One person shared an anecdote online where they took a cutting she found, rooted it, and spent years giving jars of cuttings to every friend before moving cities. Propagation turns one plant into many, and those plants carry the story with them.
ZZ plant:
The easiest method is dividing the rhizomes when you repot. Separate and plant them individually. You can also take a stem cutting with two leaves attached. Bigger rhizomes grow faster.
Snake plant:
Cut a leaf cleanly and place it in a glass with about 4 inches of water above the cut base. Roots appear in a few weeks. Once they reach 1 to 2 inches, pot it in soil.
Read our detailed ZZ plant soil propagation guide for even better results.
Cutting the base into a V shape gives better surface area for roots to grow from.
So Which One Is Right for Your Home?
|
Your situation |
Go with |
|
Highly dark home, no south or west window |
ZZ plant |
|
You forget to water for weeks |
Either, both survive |
|
You want faster visible growth |
Snake plant |
|
You want variety in leaf shapes |
Snake plant |
|
You want the glossiest, most polished look |
ZZ plant |
|
You have cats or dogs that chew plants |
Neither is safe, place both out of reach |
|
Complete beginner, lowest margin for error |
ZZ plant |
|
You have a bright spot near a window |
Snake plant |
FAQ
Is ZZ Plant Safe in the Bedroom?
Yes, it's fine in a bedroom. It doesn't release any harmful toxins or fumes in the air. The only concern is pets or small children chewing the leaves. Keep the plant out of their reach. If you'd like to get one, check out the different types of ZZ plants that fit your room best.
Why does my snake plant have sticky residue on the leaves?
Your snake plant is flowering! The sticky droplets are most probably "happy sap", which is a harmless sweet secretion from the plant. Just to be safe, check for pests as they can leave a sticky substance too.
What potting soil do I use while repotting a ZZ plant?
Half perlite and half cactus soil should work. For a detailed answer, read our guide that discusses soil for succulents in detail.
How fast can I get my plants delivered?
Here are our delivery estimates for specific areas in Canada. GTA cities: 1 to 3 days. Ottawa, London, and Kingston: 3 to 4 days. Northern Ontario: 4 to 5 days.
