The ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) not only has glossy, upright evergreen foliage that looks good in virtually any location, it’s also one of the easiest house plants to grow. It’s tolerant of all kinds of conditions and neglect – it can cope with a lack of water and will grow in low light levels. It is virtually impossible to kill, making it the ideal low maintenance house plant for beginners. The ZZ plant is good at cleaning the air in your home, too.
Also known as fern arum, emerald palm, aroid palm, Zanzibar gem, Zuzu plant, eternity plant and fat boy, the ZZ plant is native to eastern Africa. There, it's subject to long periods of drought, followed by a periods of heavy rainfall, and stores water in its fleshy underground roots (tubers). It became popular as a house plant in the 1990s, when growers realised it coped well with indoor conditions.
During the 2010s there were rumours that the ZZ plant caused cancer. This is not true: like several house plants, its sap contains calcium oxalate crystals, which can be mildly toxic if ingested. To be on the safe side, keep it away from children and pets.