Zamioculcas is a beautiful evergreen plant native to the tropics. It belongs to the araceae family, which have tuberous roots and thick, fleshy stems and leaves. It is also popularly known as the “dollar tree.”
Zamioculcas flowering is a rare occurrence even in its natural habitat , and it is difficult, but possible, to wait for it to happen at home.
The Zamioculcas flower has the appearance of a whitish inflorescence-cob 4 - 7 cm long, covered with a green leaf-veil. It blooms on a low stem growing from a tuber. It blooms for several days, after which it darkens and bends towards the ground.
In nature, it is pollinated by crawling insects; at home, self-pollination is impossible due to its special structure, namely, the separate arrangement of male and female flowers.
Flowering begins at a fairly mature age. Growth occurs slowly, so it takes 5 - 6 years to form a strong plant capable of blooming.
Why is Zamioculcas called the dollar tree?
According to popular beliefs, Zamioculcas is endowed with very strong energy, which can influence people's lives, both positively and negatively. Most likely, this influence depends on how a person perceives this plant.
Zamioculcas is popularly called the dollar tree. We did not find a clear explanation for this name. Some people believe that the leaves of the plant are like paper money, most likely like dollars, and they sincerely believe that the flower can increase cash flow if you keep it in your home, office, or study.
Another guess why Zamioculcas received such a name. He came to us from abroad, where dollars are used. Therefore, a persistent sign has been established that Zamioculcas became a magnet for currency.
What do Zamioculcas flowers look like?
Zamioculcas flowers of different sexes are small and light green in color. In a tubular inflorescence, 4–7 cm long, male flowers are located in the upper part, female flowers in the lower part. In the central part of the inflorescence there is a so-called sterility zone, consisting of flowers that do not have sexual characteristics. The main role of this zone is to prevent self-pollination.
On the outside of the cob there is a green spathe, reaching an average of 8 cm. The color of the spathe is similar to the leaves, so it is difficult to distinguish a flowering zamioculcas from a non-flowering one. Initially, the peduncle is located strictly horizontally, and as it fades, it descends closer to the soil. The peduncle is located on a low stem growing directly from the tuber.
Did you know? The dollar tree got its name for its resemblance to the money tree (crassula) in 1908. Due to the fact that Zamioculcas is much larger in size than the Crassula, it was decided to name it after the most common major currency in the world.
Why is it called women's happiness?
Who came up with the idea of calling Zamioculcas “women’s happiness” and why is it good for women? It turns out that if a woman is given this flower, then she will begin to have a light streak on the love front, and the shape of the flower says a lot.
If zamioculcas blooms in the house of an unmarried girl, then there is a sign that a guy with serious intentions will soon appear on the doorstep.
Few people observed flowering. In order for Zamioculcas to bloom, you need to care for it according to all the rules.
Having a dollar tree at home, you can believe in omens: an unmarried girl will meet her beloved, and a married woman will begin her honeymoon again. A woman who could not get pregnant for a long time will definitely wait for this feminine happiness.
Only the flower should be given as a gift, and not bought at a flower shop. A purchased zamioculcas, on the contrary, will bring failure in love affairs. Of particular value is the flower that is grown from a stolen shoot.
Reproduction of Zamioculcas
Zamioculcas “female happiness” is easily propagated by various cuttings. For such purposes, any leaf is suitable, ranging from a small one to a whole pinnate compound or a fragment of a plant rhizome. The green stem is planted in a mixture of perlite, sand or peat and wet sand. In this case, it is important to check the sterility of the soil.
The future plant is placed in a humid greenhouse or covered with a transparent sealed cap. The place for the greenhouse should be warm and bright, it is possible to use artificial lighting. When propagating zamioculcas, it is recommended to use root formation stimulants, for example, zircon or root. The soil should be stable but moderately moist.
The growth process of tuberous rhizomes is quite long, can last from one to several months and largely depends on the size of the leaf taken for rooting. The larger the cut, the more fully the plant will develop.
Reproduction of Zamioculcas by leaves
Zamioculcas is an inexpensive plant; in the store it costs from 500 to 2000 rubles. So if you want to save money, you can grow it yourself.
How to grow a dollar tree from a leaf, also watch in this video:
Reproduction by dividing the bush
- take the flower out of the vases;
- free from the substrate and separate the roots, trying not to damage them;
- cut off the damaged roots and treat the cut areas with activated carbon, ground into powder;
- dry for 2-3 hours;
- We plant individual plants in pots.
We leave new locks without watering for at least three days.
Propagation by leaf cuttings
Cut off a stem with two leaves and plant it lightly in the ground, then cover with soil where the outer part of the stem protrudes.
If we plant in recently unpacked soil from a bag, then there is no need to water it. If we plant it dry, lightly moisten it. A little!
Rest period
The dollar tree does not have a pronounced dormant period. It does not shed leaves and does not require a special room, it is simply watered less and not fed at all. Some specimens follow their own biological clock and begin to actively grow in winter, producing new leaves, so you need to focus on the plant itself and feed it at this time.
Flower of celibacy and muzhegon
Many believe that there is a sign: the purchased zamioculcas will begin to drive away all the men living in it from the house. For this reason, names like “husband” and “flower of celibacy” were attached to it.
If you believe in this sign and are afraid of its fulfillment, then nothing good will happen. The plant is hardly to blame for love failures. But to believe or not to believe various signs or myths, everyone decides for himself.
There is another sign: a well-groomed, tall, healthy, beautiful zamioculcas is endowed with such a strong magnetic effect that it will begin to attract men to the house.
If you notice signs of wilting foliage and branches, do not rush to throw away the flower. We must restore it by any means necessary:
- Check for diseases and pests.
- Get a healthy plant, let them give it to you and place it next to the sick one so that it shares its energy.
If you look at the signs and superstitions, they are so contradictory that they prevent many gardeners from starting this luxurious bush.
Why is he crying?
Coming from tropical forests, the dollar tree is accustomed to alternating periods of rainfall and prolonged drought. In such conditions, tropical plants have learned to store water for future use, which is why they have such fleshy, thick leaves.
When dry times came for them, they used up their own water reserves to continue living. The anticipation of new rains made the leaf blades thinner.
At home, such differences do not happen, but what is inherent in nature cannot be altered. Therefore, Zamioculcas continues to stock up on life-giving fluid.
If you have a zamioculcas growing, then it will tolerate temporary drought more patiently than stagnant water in a pot. That is, it is necessary to water moderately, without flooding the tropical guest with water.
With excessive watering, drops of liquid may appear on the leaves of the flower, as if the dollar tree is crying about lost opportunities.
Why does Zamioculcas cry? The bush simply gets rid of excess water received during irrigation. It can receive excess moisture not only from excessive watering, but also from air humidity that forms in the atmosphere before rain.
This sign became a harbinger of rain. If drops appear on the leaves of Zamioculcas, then expect good rain.
Drops on the leaves are also a good warning that you need to water less often when the lump in the pot becomes dry.
Necessary conditions for flowering
- The soil . In nature, Zamioculcas grows almost on stones, so it is necessary to add sand, expanded clay and a little earth to the soil.
- Proper watering . Zamioculcas is accustomed to an arid climate where there is no moisture for months. It is enough to water 1 - 2 times a week in moderation; the soil should not be constantly wet. It is useful to arrange a short drought.
- Spraying . The surface of Zamioculcas leaves is covered with wax to prevent moisture evaporation. Dust collects on it, so you need to periodically wipe the leaves with a damp cloth.
- Light . The plant does not require light, but it grows slower in the shade. On a sunny window, development occurs more actively, but direct sunlight must not be allowed to hit the leaves.
- Temperature . The tropical plant does not tolerate low temperatures, so it is necessary to provide constant warmth without sudden changes. In summer, if possible, take it out onto the balcony or yard.
- Fertilizing to stimulate flowering . For rapid growth, it is good to feed the plant with the necessary vitamins and microelements. Suitable fertilizer for cacti and succulents. Fertilizers are used once every 2-3 weeks for watering and spraying the leaves. In spring, choose fertilizers containing phosphorus, nitrogen, potassium, and calcium.
Caring for Zamioculcas is not difficult, but even if all the rules are followed, impatient gardeners may wonder if it ever blooms.
Is it possible to keep a flower at home?
Zamioculcas is considered a poisonous plant. Its leaves and shoots contain poisonous juice - this is its protection against pests. At home, toxicity can cause food poisoning in furry pets and children. Even a drop of poisonous juice can cause redness and itching of the skin.
The flower must be placed so that children and animals cannot reach it. Adults should also wear gloves when pruning or replanting a flower.
The bedroom is not the place for a flower, the living room is the best place for Zamioculcas. The bush will clean the air well in any room and replace bad energy with beneficial energy.
It is not recommended to move it often, otherwise it will shed its leaves. But the flower lives for more than 10 years, and during this time you can change many transplants and places of residence. When you replant, place a few coins at the very roots of the flower to increase wealth in the house.
Who can you give it to?
You can give to everyone. A good reason to give a dollar seedling would be events related to renewal in life:
- Wedding;
- Housewarming is a wonderful occasion to give a luxurious flower;
- Buying a home;
- Career advancement;
- The birth of children in a family;
- A significant purchase.
The positive energy of the flower will increase many times, attracting new good luck.
A sign for your own Zamioculcas: you cannot re-gift it, so as not to lose good luck and material well-being.
To give a luxurious bush as a gift, you need to buy it, take care of it a little, and then give it away, taking a small fee for it.
Do not give a flower if there is only a small sprout growing in the pot or if it has not lived in your home. This will bring losses and failures, both to the donor and to the one to whom it is given.
Why does it bloom
Zamioculcas can bloom for the first time 3 years after planting. The dollar tree blooms when it has gained enough green mass and a large supply of nutrients. To maintain a fairly large peduncle, the plant needs to spend a lot of effort.
Experienced flower growers recommend creating such conditions for the flower so that it will bloom. It is believed that if you let it bloom, more luck and money will come to your home.
Conditions for flowering:
- Extend daylight hours using a fluorescent lamp;
- Do not over-moisten the soil when watering the plant;
- Try to create a temperature of 20-26 degrees in summer, and 16-18 in winter;
- Replant a young plant every year, increasing the volume of the flowerpot by 2-3 cm, an adult plant - once every 3-5 years;
- Feed once a month;
- Place 1 tablet of succinic acid in the water for irrigation and spray with Epin solution once a month.
If there comes a time when Zamioculcas blooms, then this is a good sign. The flowering of a tropical guest foreshadows the onset of pleasant changes in life, a successful marriage, receiving an inheritance, or promotion.
Signs on the state of the plant
If the dollar tree is healthy, it generously thanks the owner for proper care, attracts money and personal happiness. Poor handling of the plant activates negative signs. If, despite all efforts, the zamioculcas dies, the owner needs to check his personal values. Probably some of them have been lost.
Why does it bloom
The appearance of flowers on a dollar tree is a good omen. There will be significant changes for the better:
- big money will come
- the owner will receive an inheritance
- woman gets pregnant
- the girl will marry well
- career
Zamioculcas blooms very rarely. Buds appear only on adult specimens whose age exceeds 7 years. Proper care is required for flowering.
Why is he crying?
The dollar tree belongs to the araceae family. In these plants, when the soil moisture is high, droplets of liquid appear at the tips of the leaves. Therefore, it seems that Zamioculcas is “crying.” In fact, this condition indicates abundant watering. The root system cannot cope with a large volume of water. It is necessary to stop irrigating for a while to allow the soil to dry out.
If the leaves turn yellow or the stem shrinks
This condition warns of large losses. If there are no mistakes in care, and the plant continues to wither, a financial crisis will soon occur.
What does it mean if a flower has withered or died?
The dollar tree symbolizes good luck and the well-being of the owner. For good omens to work, proper care is necessary. If this is not done, the zamioculcas dies. Then a series of troubles begins, overcoming which will require enormous efforts of all family members.
Feng Shui about Castle Mulcas
According to Chinese Feng Shui philosophy, zamioculcas attracts the energy of success and wealth to where it grows strong and healthy. It is important to care for it properly, find a place for it in the south-eastern part of the house, and help it begin to bloom.
This flower can be planted for those married couples who have a strong relationship and great love. Just don’t place it in the bedroom, so as not to cause quarrels and disagreements between spouses.
Many people recommend placing a dollar tree in the bedroom. It is better not to do this because of its powerful energy.
Description of the plant and its types
Zamioculcas is a plant classified as a succulent, as it accumulates moisture in the tissues of leaves, shoots, trunk and rhizome. Its homeland is the island of Madagascar, where this plant exists in an arid climate under the hot sun.
The plant has a powerful rhizome in the form of a tuber, on which there is a modified and greatly shortened stem part.
Its base contains water reserves. Leaves grow on the trunk on long and fleshy petioles. The petioles are very thick and juicy, they also serve as a water reservoir. The Zamioculcas leaf is very complex and dissected, consisting of many small leaf blades.
The leaf blades are dense, leathery, dark green in color, and have a shiny surface. Their shape is oval, elongated.
Zamioculcas flowers are cobs surrounded by a greenish blanket. They are not very decorative; it is recommended to remove them so as not to weaken the plant. In indoor culture, the only type of plant grown is Zamioculcas zamifolia.
There are also several natural variations that belong to the same species:
- Zamioculcas lanceolate - leaf blades are longer and pointed;
- Zamioculcas variegated - there are white stripes on the leaf blades.
Clues about losses
The flower may hurt, wither and dry out. To avoid losing your dollar tree, you need to monitor its health. Whatever happens to it, do not throw away the flower, but try to revive it.
If it is sick, then transplant it into a new pot. Place the broken branch in water so that it produces roots.
A completely drooping flower will be revived by a new seedling, the pot of which should be placed next to the fading specimen. Always keep a young specimen to revive a diseased plant.
Don't make your dollar tree cry by setting a certain watering schedule. Watch when the lump in the pot dries out, then water it. But even such a moment can deceive. The soil may remain dry at the top, but moist at the roots. It is unacceptable.
Possible mistakes during care
Zamioculcas most often dies due to improperly selected soil and excessive watering. In winter, try to touch the plant less often: do not prune, do not move from place to place, reduce watering and do not feed. A flower may also lose its aesthetic appearance and stop growing due to excessively humid air and if it stands in a dark place.
Excessive watering
Yellowing and falling leaves will let you know about this. This is a sign that the roots and stem have rotted and the plant needs emergency replanting.
Lack of lighting
The flower turns pale, the branches become long and thin. To correct the situation, place the plant on a lighter windowsill or purchase a phytolamp.
Excessive dry air
Despite the fact that Zamioculcas is a succulent and loves dry air, with the beginning of the heating season it may begin to suffer from overdrying. Dry and brittle leaves will let you know about this. During this period, you can spray the plant. Another great option would be to buy a humidifier.
Improper care during the cold season
At this time, it is important for the plant not to get cold or overheat. With the arrival of cold weather, the soil does not dry out so quickly, so do not overdo it with watering: let the soil dry thoroughly to avoid rotting of the roots.
Incorrect soil composition
It is important that the soil for succulents is as light as possible, semi-sandy. It should allow air and water to pass through well.
Watering with cold water
The homeland of Zamioculcas is Africa. This is a heat-loving plant. In the spring, you can even water it with warm water (warmer than the temperature of your hand in the water), but doing this with cold water is strictly prohibited. The best option is water at room temperature that has been left standing for 24 hours.
Rituals and rituals to attract money
With the help of Zamioculcas, you can attract money into the house if you perform the following rituals:
- Roll the dollar bill into a conical pyramid. Attach the top to the branch and make sure that the money does not fall.
- Place at least one cent in the tray of the pot.
- Water with money water. Put a few coins in the water, let it sit for a couple of days and water the dollar tree. Do not remove coins from the water until it runs out.
- Having received zamioculcas as a gift, give the giver a few coins so that someone else’s energy goes away.
Diseases and pests
In general, the dollar tree is not prone to disease. But parasites can attack a bush by moving from other flowers:
- Aphid. Can be cleaned with a solution of laundry soap. After dissolving the soap in water, wet the sponge and treat the leaf plates. Before processing, cover the soil in the flowerpot with polyethylene.
- Shield. When a pest appears, the bush should be treated with insecticides.
- Spider mite. Cobwebs on the underside of leaves should be treated immediately with an insecticide.
- Root rot. Unfortunately, it will not be possible to save Zamioculcas from this scourge.
Folk tips for caring for flowers
The most important care tip is not to overwater the flower. The succulent accumulates water in its nodules and will water itself during drought.
Choose the right substrate. The following soils are suitable for Zamioculcas: for cacti and succulents, a mixture of garden soil, sand and perlite. You can plant in soil prepared from humus, soil, peat with the addition of sand and perlite.
Flower growers advise choosing a longer pot so that the roots can freely grow deeper. Instead of spraying, the succulent should be held under a warm shower.
Poor health of a flower as a signal
To attract money and a man into the house for a single woman, a healthy looking succulent is of great importance.
A drooping and wilted plant is considered a bad omen for a woman and the family’s material wealth.
If zamioculcas withers, then urgently look for the reasons for this wilting. If you flood it, then urgently reduce watering; if it is in the shade, move it to a sunny place or place it on a sunny balcony.
Perhaps the zamioculcas was attacked by pests, wipe the leaves with a solution of laundry soap, and then bathe in the shower. Strictly monitor the condition of your green pet.
To transplant zamioculcas, prepare new soil. The soil after other green pets will lead to the death of the dollar tree, and further monetary losses will follow.
