New shoots unfurl a surprising bright green, then darken over four to six weeks to a violet-purple black that runs through leaves and stems alike. The Raven ZZ (Zamioculcas zamiifolia ‘Dowon’) will survive in very low light, which makes it an office favourite, but let the soil dry out entirely between waterings and it will thrive.
| Name | Zamioculcas zamiifolia Raven™ |
|---|---|
| Cultivar | Zamioculcas zamiifolia ‘Dowon’ |
| Common name | Raven ZZ plant |
| Family | Araceae |
| Type | houseplant |
| Hardiness | zone 9+ (US) or H1 (UK) |
| Height & Width | 1 ½ to 3 feet (45-90 cm) |
| Exposure | well-lit |
| Soil type | draining mix |
Many are familiar with the survivor plant Zamioculcas zamiifolia. Give your Raven proper water, exposure and care. It’s among the trendiest indoor plants ever!
A picture is worth a thousand words, but we’ll still give you one: color! The Raven ZZ plant is black all over: leaves, stems… Only flowers are a lighter green hue.
Growth rate and exposure needs are identical to all ZZ plant varieties, as long as they’re planted correctly.
It’s dark black through-and-through. But new “sports” are appearing as propagation repeats. These are sometimes variegated (ZZ raven variegata) with white or pink spots and even albino white leaves.
Check the label reads Raven or ‘Dowon’ before you buy.
Raven (left), Lucky Giant (right)
The main care it needs is simply repotting.
If ideal growing conditions are met, this plant sends up a new shoot fast. Indeed, it can grow up to an inch in three days (1 cm/day).
Most of the time it seems to stay dormant, usually because it’s a bit cold or dark.
For instance, during the winter season, new leaves are rare.
Zamioculcas zamiifolia ‘Raven’ usually grows slowly. No need to repot often.
This plant will stay small in size if you keep it in smaller pots.
→ Zamioculcas zamiifolia raven cannot survive colds lower than 40°F (5°C).
Zamioculcas raven, originating from the African-born ZZ plant, is a flexible plant: it copes well with irregular watering.
Allow the soil to dry out entirely before watering again. Zamioculcas raven has tuber-like rhizomes that store water. Letting soil dry out avoids root rot.
Misting helps leaves stay alive longer (and makes cleaning easier, too).
Never leave a raven ZZ sitting in a filled saucer.
When you do water, soak the mix until it drains freely from the base of the pot, then tip away whatever collects underneath.
Slightly wrinkled stems suggest the rhizomes have drawn down their reserves and the plant is thirsty, but soft, mushy stems usually point to rhizome rot from overwatering rather than drought.
A diluted houseplant feed once or twice a growing period is plenty for such a slow grower.
Zamioculcas raven will survive in very low light conditions.
That’s why it is suitable for use in the office or even in poorly lit rooms like bathrooms. However, for it to thrive and grow, put it in a very well-lit place while avoiding direct sunlight.
If you’re keeping the plant outdoors, prefer part sun only in the early morning or late afternoon.
Time is what makes the black ZZ plant turn dark. Fresh leaves start out bright green and gradually turn black with time.
It may take up to two months for a stem and leaves to turn black completely, but usually it’s dark after 4-6 weeks.
The pigment that makes the raven ZZ black is fragile: when a leaf dies, the black color fades to normal yellow and brown.
Exposure to strong lights or artificial lighting only influences color a tiny bit, so no point investing in such devices for your Raven ZZ.
The ZZ plant is famous for being extra-resistant: you won’t have many problems with this plant.
It’s very rare for the Raven ZZ to fall sick. When it does, you’ll notice yellowing leaves and collapsing, mushy stems. It’s usually a sign that it needs better, more regular care. Indeed, a healthy ZZ raven will fend off any pests on its own.
Make sure your watering schedule is right, and check the link below for specific issues (yellow leaves, leaf drop, bugs and insects…)
This plant is a variety of Zamioculcas zamiifolia. Propagate and multiply it just as you would varieties that are more common.
Techniques that work best are crown division, leaf cuttings (shown on the picture to the left), and stem cuttings.
Note: the Raven ZZ plant has a patent on it. It cannot legally be multiplied and sold in many countries. Only nurseries who deal with the original breeder can do this.
In other words, the only thing you can do is prepare a personal back-up in case your main plant dies off!
Non-lethal calcium oxalate crystals appear in all parts of the plant. As a result, sap can be mildly irritating to sensitive skins. Wear gloves to repot or split your plant.
Furthermore, calcium oxalate crystals may wreck havoc in animal digestive systems. Though not deadly, dogs and cats will get sick if they ingest too much of it.
Provide cats with plants like nepeta instead to satisfy their need for greens!
The ZZ plant is a great choice for offices and homes, and this crow-colored variety is no exception.
Originally, this plant appeared in 2006 in a South Korean nursery.
Hyuk Jin Lee, a plant breeder, noticed a plant with a single dark-colored branch among the regular Zamioculcas.
He filed for a patent in the United States. Year later, officials granted the patent on Christmas day, December 25th, 2018! The cultivar’s name is ‘Dowon’.
The discovery is protected until 2033 with plant patent number PP30035.
It is now a common find in large garden centers and online across the world.
Imports are allowed from abroad, provided the grower also has an agreement with Van Winden-Erica.
This black-colored leaf houseplant is a wonderful addition to the home. It pairs well with arrangements that include tall orchid flowers because the contrast is elegant and water needs are very similar!
