ZZ Plants, Delivered and Planted in SW Florida
Nearly indestructible and glossy, ZZ plant does well outdoors in Southwest Florida shade and shrugs off drought. It grows slowly to 2 to 4 ft, so it suits shaded beds, entries and large pots. All parts are toxic if eaten, so site it with pets and kids in mind. We deliver and plant 3 and 7 gallon plants.
- Light:
- Shade to bright indirect light; direct afternoon sun scorches the leaves
- Water:
- Very low; drought tolerant, stores water in its rhizomes
- Salt:
- Low; keep out of salt spray
ZZ Plant sizes we deliver and plant
Every size below is planted by our crew, set at the right depth and watered in. Send the size and how many, and we text back a planted price, usually within the hour during the day.
| Plant | Sizes |
|---|---|
| ZZ Plant | 3 Gallon, 7 Gallon |
ZZ Plant in SW Florida, at a glance
- Mature size here
- 2 to 4 ft tall and wide
- Light
- Shade to bright indirect light; direct afternoon sun scorches the leaves
- Water
- Very low; drought tolerant, stores water in its rhizomes
- Salt tolerance
- Low; keep out of salt spray
- Cold tolerance
- Tender; frost burns the leaves, though the rhizomes often resprout. Plant under eaves or canopy and cover on cold nights
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Spacing
- 2 to 3 ft apart in a bed
- Florida native
- No, native to eastern Africa
- Botanical name
- Zamioculcas zamiifolia
Where ZZ Plant works in a SW Florida yard
ZZ plant fills the dim corners where little else grows: beneath oaks and eaves, along north-facing walls and in covered entry courtyards. Its upright, glossy leaves contrast with finer foliage, so combine it with cast iron plant, philodendron and bromeliads in a layered shade bed. Avoid hot, direct afternoon sun, which scorches the leaves.
- Deep-shade filler
- Entry and courtyard beds
- Low-water accent
- Large patio pots
How our crew plants it
Choose a shady, well-drained spot. Our crew digs a hole twice as wide as the pot and no deeper, keeps the rhizomes at or just above soil level, backfills with native sand, waters it in and cleans up.
Never bury the rhizomes or let water pool. Lee and Collier allow extra watering for new plantings, but go light, since ZZ rots when soggy.
Care after planting
- Water sparingly: let the soil dry between waterings and skip extra irrigation in the rainy season, since overwatering rots the rhizomes.
- Keep it out of direct afternoon sun, though morning light is fine.
- Once or twice a year, a light slow-release feeding is plenty, outside the June 1 to September 30 nitrogen and phosphorus ban in Lee County, Naples and Marco Island.
- Cover or move potted plants on frost nights, and trim cold-burned leaves once the weather settles.
What to watch for
- All parts contain calcium oxalate crystals and are toxic if eaten, causing mouth and stomach irritation in pets and children, and the sap can irritate skin, so wear gloves when you divide or trim.
- Soggy or poorly drained soil rots the rhizomes quickly, so avoid low spots.
ZZ Plant questions we hear
Can a ZZ plant live outside in Florida?+
Yes, in shade. Under trees, under eaves and in covered courtyards it does well and needs little care. It is tender to frost, so cover it or move pots on cold nights, and keep it out of hot direct afternoon sun.
Is ZZ plant poisonous to cats and dogs?+
Yes. All parts are toxic if eaten and can cause drooling, vomiting and mouth irritation, and the sap can irritate skin. Keep it away from pets and kids who chew plants, and call a vet if a pet eats some.
How much light does a ZZ plant need outdoors?+
Shade to bright indirect light. It tolerates deep shade, though growth slows, and a little morning sun is fine. Hot direct afternoon sun scorches and bleaches the leaves, so place it under a tree, an eave or a covered patio.
Updated October 2026
Get a planted price on ZZ Plant
Tell us what and how many. Quinten prices it from the nursery's live list and texts you back, usually within the hour during the day.
Only need the plant delivered, no planting? It is on our nursery's list at Palm & Plant Co.
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We deliver and plant across Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Naples, Estero, Bonita Springs and about an hour around.