The Raven ZZ plant is a striking houseplant with unique black foliage. This low-maintenance plant requires minimal attention, making it a good choice if you’re new to gardening or have a busy lifestyle. I’m sharing essential care tips that you need to know to keep this jazzy plant healthy and thriving.
This was considered a rare plant when first introduced in 2015, but it is becoming more readily available. Costa Farms patented it as the Raven ZZ Plant, and has been popular from the get-go.
The dark foliage isn’t deep black, but I’d call it more of a deep purple-black. I give mine no special care at all, and it’s pretty as can be growing next to my Philodendron Birkin and my Dancing Bones Cactus.
Common Name: This plant has a few. Raven ZZ Plant, Black ZZ Plant, Raven Plant, Black Raven ZZ Plant
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.
Why Does New Growth Stay Green?
While green new growth is normal, sometimes the shoots fail to darken and remain stubbornly green and vibrant.
There are a few key reasons this can happen:
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Insufficient Light – Raven ZZ needs bright, indirect light to reach its darkest potential. Without enough light exposure, new growth stays green instead of maturing to black.
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Underwatering – Allowing plants to dry out too much between waterings can impair nutrient uptake, resulting in light green new shoots.
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Overwatering – Excess moisture damages roots, reducing their ability to take in nutrients needed for rich leaf color.
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Low Humidity – Drier air prevents leaves from developing their deepest pigment. Misting and pebble trays can help boost humidity.
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Nutrient Deficiency – Lack of key nutrients like nitrogen leads to chlorotic, light green new growth. Fertilizing corrects this.
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Transplant Shock – Repotting and other disturbances can shock plants, causing paler growth. Allow time to recover.
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Pests & Diseases – Pest damage and diseases disrupt nutrient flow, often yellowing new shoots. Inspect and treat plants.
So if your raven ZZ’s new leaves stay green, it’s usually signaling an underlying care issue. With a few adjustments, you can get that dramatic color contrast back.
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.
When to Worry About Green Growth
While green new growth is typical for raven ZZ plants, vibrant lime green shoots can sometimes signal problems. Here are signs that indicate an underlying issue:
- Older leaves are losing color or fading to green
- No leaves are maturing to dark purple/black
- All new and old growth remains light green
- Green shoots over 6 months old with no color change
- Yellowing, wilting, or dying green shoots
If you notice these warning signs, your plant likely needs an adjustment to its care. Troubleshoot by checking for pests, increasing light, adjusting watering, changing location, inspecting roots, or repotting if necessary. With a few tweaks your raven ZZ will be back to producing stunning two-toned foliage.
Enjoy the Color Contrast
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.
Raven ZZ Plant New Growth The older growth next to the new growth.
This is so fun! The new leaves are bright green (or lime green), depending on how you describe them. You’ll see them slowly turn darker as they age.
Raven ZZ Plant Traits ZZ Plants & Raven ZZ Plants at
I’ve had my Black ZZ Plant for eighteen months now. It grows in a 10″ pot, is 38″ at the tallest point, and 48″ at the widest.
My six-year-old common ZZ Plant is 48″ tall by 60″ wide.
This plant has a slow rate of growth. It puts out more new shoots (that open and develop slowly) the older it gets. The growth will be even slower if the light level is too low.
The 4″ and 6″ sizes are tabletop plants. 10″ pot size and larger are low, wide floor plants.
Those dramatic black leaves! Very few indoor plants have dark foliage, but this one has the added bonus of glossy leaves.
TOP 10+ FAVORITE HOUSEPLANTS FOR FEBRUARY! NEW GROWTH! FERN, BEGONIA, RAVEN ZZ, NANOUK
FAQ
What does new growth on a ZZ plant look like?
New growth is lighter and brighter than existing leaves, creating a two-toned effect. As ZZ plants grow in popularity, so do available options. Choices range from bright green to dark, green-black leaflets paired with lime-green new growth and long, arching, leaflet-lined stems.
How do I get my ZZ plant to grow new shoots?
To encourage growth in your ZZ plant, ensure it gets moderate indirect light, water it when the soil is dry (about every 2-3 weeks), and use well-draining soil. Also, consider fertilizing with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every few months during the growing season.
How often do ZZ plants grow new shoots?
ZZ plants (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) are known for their slow growth rate. They typically produce new shoots a few times a year, often in spurts rather than steadily.
Why is the new growth on my ZZ plant turning yellow?
$20 OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER. A ZZ Plant thrives in low to medium light. When exposed to direct sunlight for too long, the leaves will yellow and burn.
How big does a raven ZZ plant grow?
The pops of lime green new growth are emerging on some of the Raven ZZs. I’ve had my Black ZZ Plant for eighteen months now. It grows in a 10″ pot, is 38″ at the tallest point, and 48″ at the widest. My six-year-old common ZZ Plant is 48″ tall by 60″ wide. This plant has a slow rate of growth.
Is Raven ZZ a good houseplant?
The Raven ZZ plant is a striking houseplant with unique black foliage. This low-maintenance plant requires minimal attention, making it a good choice if you’re new to gardening or have a busy lifestyle. I’m sharing essential care tips that you need to know to keep this jazzy plant healthy and thriving.
What is a raven ZZ plant?
While green ZZ plant varieties easily grow in low light conditions, the raven ZZ plant will display the most striking foliage in medium to bright indirect light. The raven ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia ‘Raven’) is a new variety of ZZ plant that is characterized by stunning deep purple-black foliage. Here’s how to grow it indoors.
Can Raven ZZ be grown indoors?
Raven ZZ plant can be grown in low, medium, or bright light. But if planted in a low-light area, it will have pale green and fewer black leaves. While growing indoors, make sure it gets as much daylight as possible. Keep the plant safe from direct sun exposure for prolonged periods, especially in the afternoon, as it can burn the foliage.
Can Raven ZZ grow in low light?
Remember that although these plants can survive in low light conditions, they do best in medium to bright indirect light. Raven ZZ plants growing in low light may lose the occasional leaves because they are not receiving enough light to support lots of foliage.
What’s the difference between a regular ZZ plant and a ZZ Raven?
Unlike regular ZZ plants with plain green leaves, ZZ Raven boasts rich purple-black leaves. Just take a look at the difference in the foliage. Here is the plain old ZZ plant, which I still love. The plain old “regular” ZZ plant And here is ZZ Raven.