It is common knowledge that plants are decreasing around the world while air pollution increases. The deforestation is at a high and so is the building of new industries that release harmful fumes. In times like these, we must keep ourselves surrounded by different plants in our homes and offices. Not only do they give you healthier air to breathe, but they also absorb the noise pollution around you and helps boost your concentration and creativity levels. Some interesting plants that start with ‘Z’ are enlisted below.
Flowers and Plants that Start with ‘Z’
Zamia
Zamia is like a shrub and has thick leaves that move in the outward direction from the trunk. One of the more famous types is called Zamia furfuracea also known as cardboard palm. It is not a palm tree though. It is only named that because of its growing habits which are similar to that of a palm tree. They grow up to three feet tall. It is easy to grow and does not require any maintenance. It can survive in mild climates, and it can be a house plant as well as grown out in the wild.
During Zamia’s growing season, it is important to grow it in a place where there is direct sunlight. It does not require too much water as long as the soil is kept moist. Too much water can cause the roots to decay. They do not have much soil requirements either and only need fertilizers two times in a year.
Zebra Plant
Zebra plants can also be grown indoors. It is a tropical plant and originates from Brazil. It serves as quite an attractive houseplant due to its dark leaves which are laced with white veins. They also bloom with colourful yellow flowers in late summer up to early autumn. It has two to four golden bracts that last almost six weeks.
Since it is a tropical plant, it is not the easiest plant to grow inside the house. It requires the right care and attention. However, once it gets that it becomes a beautiful part of your home décor and can thrive for up to a year. In its mature size, it grows up to two feet tall when indoors and about six feet tall when outdoors.
If you want to take the challenge of bringing up this flower, you should start by choosing a spot that has a higher humidity level. Keep it in direct sunlight and in soil that is always moist. After flowering, make sure to prune the plant to remove the dying bracts.
Zinnia
Zinnia is another one of the plants that start with ‘Z’. These are annual plants. They grow for one season a year. They have flowers that have heads like a daisy on top of long stems. These stems make it easier to cut these flowers and this plant also serve as great food for butterflies.
Zinnia has three types of flowers. The single flowers have only one row of petals and the centre stands out. The double flowers have multiple rows of petals and we cannot see the centre. The last type is the semi-double flowers which have rows of petals but the centre is also visible.
Zinnia also comes in more than one shapes and varieties. They can be tall which act as good background of a garden bed and the shorter ones act as good boundaries. It is believed that for every garden type, a zinnia type exists!
ZZ Plant
This plant is a favourite among houseplants. Almost everyone who likes keeping houseplants have one of these at their place. It originated in Africa and has existed for several hundred years. Apart from being very attractive due to its dark green leaves, the reason everyone loves having this around is that it does not ask for too much care and can grow healthily even in conditions where the light is low. Its leaves are waxy and reflect the sunlight which enlivens up the room its placed in.
It also purifies the air from various toxins. The only bad thing about it is that it can irritate the skin if we do not wash our hands after touching it. This is because all parts of the plants are toxic. Other than its soil, water and light requirements are not hard to cater to.
Flowers that Start with ‘Z’
One of the flowers that start with ‘Z’ is called Zephyranthes Rain Lily. They grow in the rains of the late-season but they cannot survive in soggy soil. This is why they need to be in a spot where the soil drains well and water is not left holding. It also requires full sun and flowers are produced in the summer season. After the bloom season has ended, the foliage is left. This should not be cut off as it helps to make food for the plant.
Zygopetalum is best grown in places where the temperature is not too cold neither too hot. They can tolerate the high summer heat as long as they are provided with the right shade and are watered well. They can also take colder days if they are allowed to be drier than they usually are. It has a lot of species and a lot of hybrids, too. The flowers have a nice fragrance which makes it attractive to many people.
Conclusion
Gardening is a healthier habit than most of our other hobbies. Planting seeds and then looking after them until they grow into mature-sized plants teach us many things. Some of the skills we end up learning include the handling of responsibility, patience and discipline. It can be therapeutic as well as an easy way to pass time.
We have listed some plants that start with ‘Z’ that we think you might not have heard of before. You can make a colourful garden with these plants, all of whom have different and bright colours. Choose some of your favourite colours for flowers and go out and buy the seeds for some of these plants!
