Last updated September 30, 2026
The Raven ZZ plant is the goth cousin of the classic ZZ plant: same tough, drought-proof plant, but with glossy leaflets so dark they look almost black. It’s just as easy to care for. The main thing new owners wonder about is the color, especially when a brand-new stem pops up bright lime green. Don’t worry, that’s normal.
Why is my Raven ZZ growing green stems?
Every new Raven stem starts out lime green. Over the next several weeks, it slowly darkens through olive and deep purple to almost black. Nothing is wrong. That’s just how this variety grows. A plant with a fresh green shoot next to black older stems is a healthy, growing plant.
Week 1–2
A new stem unrolls from the soil, bright lime green and tightly curled.
Weeks 3–6
Leaflets open fully and start turning olive, then deep green-purple.
Weeks 6–10
The stem reaches its final glossy purple-black. Better light speeds this up.
How to keep a Raven ZZ dark
Light is what drives the dark color. In a very dim room, new stems may stay greener for longer, or never get fully black. For the deepest color:
- Give it bright, indirect light, such as near an east window or a few feet back from a south or west window.
- Avoid hot, direct afternoon sun, which can scorch the leaflets and leave pale or brown patches.
- If your home is dark, a small LED grow light for 8 to 12 hours a day makes a big difference.
Like any ZZ, it will survive in low light, but it will grow slowly and color up less.
Raven ZZ care in a nutshell
Care is the same as a regular ZZ. If you want the full details, read our complete ZZ plant care guide. Here are the essentials:
| Need | What to do |
|---|---|
| Water | Only when the soil is completely dry, often every 2–3 weeks in summer and 4–6 in winter |
| Light | Bright, indirect for best color; tolerates low light |
| Soil | Fast-draining cactus mix, or potting mix with perlite and bark |
| Pot | Must have a drainage hole; only slightly wider than the roots |
| Temperature | 65–80°F; keep above 60°F |
| Feeding | Half-strength fertilizer monthly in spring and summer, or less |
Raven vs. regular ZZ
| Raven ZZ | Classic ZZ | |
|---|---|---|
| Leaf color | Purple-black when mature | Deep glossy green |
| New growth | Lime green, darkens over weeks | Bright green, darkens slightly |
| Growth rate | A little slower | Slow to moderate |
| Price | Usually higher | Lower |
| Care | The same | |
The Raven is a natural mutation of the regular ZZ, found in South Korea and sold under the variety name ‘Dowon’. It’s a patented variety, so plants are mostly produced by licensed growers.
Propagating a Raven ZZ
Raven ZZs propagate just like green ones, and the new plants keep the dark color because they’re pieces of the same plant.
- Division: the quickest. When repotting, split the rhizome clump into sections with stems and roots.
- Stem cuttings: root a whole stem in water or soil. Roots take 1 to 3 months, new shoots longer.
- Leaflet cuttings: push single leaflets into moist cactus mix. Very slow, but you get many plants.
Note that the variety is patented, so propagating plants to sell isn’t allowed without a license. Making more for yourself or to share with friends is fine.
Common Raven ZZ problems
| What you see | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| New growth staying green for months | Low light | Move to brighter, indirect light |
| Yellow, soft stems | Overwatering, rot | Let soil dry fully; check rhizomes |
| Brown or bleached patches | Sunburn | Move out of direct afternoon sun |
| Wrinkled stems, curling leaflets | Very dry for too long | Water deeply once |
| Leaning, floppy stems | Not enough light | More light; turn the pot regularly |
Raven ZZ FAQs
Why is my Raven ZZ plant green?
New stems always start lime green and darken to black over several weeks. If they stay green for months, give the plant more light.
Is the Raven ZZ harder to care for than a regular ZZ?
No. Care is the same. It just grows a little slower and needs decent light to show its dark color.
How often should I water a Raven ZZ?
Only when the soil is completely dry, usually every 2 to 3 weeks in summer and every 4 to 6 weeks in winter.
Can a Raven ZZ live in low light?
Yes, but new growth may stay greener, and it will grow slowly. Bright, indirect light gives the best color.
Sources and further reading
- North Carolina State Extension, Zamioculcas zamiifolia plant profile
- ASPCA Animal Poison Control, Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants list
- Wikipedia, Zamioculcas
More low-maintenance plants
ZZ plant
The low-light, low-water plant for beginners, and the one mistake that kills it.
Snake plant
Upright, drought-tolerant and almost indestructible, as long as the soil dries out.
Dracaena
Tough, upright and low-light tolerant, as long as you watch the water.
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