Zamioculcas zamiifolia 'Raven'
Raven ZZ Plant
Typical UK price
£24
Price by size
- Sold, 90 days
- 1
- Middle half
- -
- Last sold
- 16 Aug 2026
- On record
- 2
- Sale
- Typical
- Middle half
- Estimate
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About Zamioculcas zamiifolia 'Raven'
Raven is the near-black ZZ Plant cultivar known for its colour transformation: new leaflets emerge a bright lime green and darken progressively to a deep near-black purple as they mature, so a single frond can show the whole gradient at once. It shares the standard ZZ Plant's drought-tolerant, low-light-friendly rhizomatous growth.
Native range
Cultivated dark-leaved selection of Zamioculcas zamiifolia.
Classification
- Genus
- Zamioculcas
- Family
- Araceae
- Type
- Cultivar
- Growth habit
- Upright, rhizomatous
- Form of
- Zamioculcas zamiifolia
Morphology
- Leaf shape
- PinnateVeins or lobes arranged like a feather, branching out symmetrically on both sides of a single main central vein., ovateEgg-shaped leaves, with the wider end near the base. leaflets
- Leaf length
- 30-50cm (full frond)
- Leaf width
- 3-5cm (per leaflet)
- Petiole colour
- Dark, near-black
- Venation
- Subtle
- Texture
- Glossy
- Variegation
- N/A: solid colour cultivar; new leaflets emerge bright green and mature to near-black purple
- Growth habit
- Upright rhizomatous
Recent UK sales
For sale in the UK
UK shops
| Shop | Stock | Checked | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Root Houseplants established plant | In stock | 13 Oct 2026 | £33 |
By month
| Month | Median | Sold |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 2026 | £24 | 1 |
| Mar 2026 | £35 | 1 |
Before you buy
- Widely available and inexpensive for the plain species: be cautious of collector-level pricing unless it's a named form like 'Raven' or 'Variegata'
- Check the base for firm, plump rhizomes rather than soft or shrivelled ones, since this is where the plant stores its water reserves
- For 'Raven' or other named colour forms, confirm the leaf colour in photos matches the specific named cultivar rather than assuming any dark ZZ Plant is 'Raven'
- Slow growth is normal for this species: don't expect rapid size increase even under good conditions
Zamioculcas zamiifolia 'Raven' care
- Substrate
- A free-draining mix incorporating plenty of perlite or pumice alongside standard potting compost prevents water from sitting around the fleshy roots. A commercial cacti or succulent mix is also highly suitable for this drought-tolerant species.
- Watering
- Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. The thick rhizomes store ample moisture, meaning overwatering poses a much greater risk than underwatering.
- Humidity
- It easily tolerates the dry air typical of centrally heated homes. Average room humidity is perfectly adequate and no supplemental misting is required.
- Feeding
- Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser at half strength once every few months during the active growing season. The slow growth rate means it requires very few supplemental nutrients.
- Repotting
- Repotting is only necessary every two to three years when the expanding rhizomes begin to deform or break the plastic nursery pot. Choose a container just one size larger to avoid excess soil holding unwanted moisture.
Common problems
Root and rhizome rot
Cause: Overwatering or planting in dense soil that stays wet for too long.
Fix: Unpot the plant to trim away black or mushy roots, then repot into fresh, dry soil and withhold water for several weeks.
Yellowing lower leaflets
Cause: Often an early sign of chronic overwatering, though occasionally caused by extreme, prolonged drought.
Fix: Check the moisture level at the bottom of the pot and severely reduce watering frequency if the soil is damp.
Stretching or leaning stems
Cause: Searching for light when placed in extremely dark conditions for long periods.
Fix: Move the plant to a brighter location with indirect light and rotate it regularly to encourage upright, even growth.
Gear for this plant
- Digital Hygrometer & ThermometerLCD humidity and temperature gauge for checking a grow spot against a plant's target range.
How to propagate Zamioculcas zamiifolia 'Raven'
- Methods
- Rhizome division, Leaf cutting, Stem cutting
- Difficulty
- Easy. Forgiving of missed waterings, average home humidity, and imperfect light. A solid pick for beginners or low-fuss collections.
- Time to establish
- 9-12 months
- True from cuttings
- Yes. Cuttings keep the cultivar's character.
- Notes
- Division is the fastest method; carefully separate the rhizomes with a clean blade during repotting and plant them into separate containers. Leaf and stem cuttings will also root and form small rhizomes in soil or water, but this process often takes many months before new top growth appears.