A lime beginning
Young axes emerge vivid green, making every new leaf immediately visible within the dark crown.
13
Zamioculcas 'raven' 14cm
Normal price
€19,90
What does the legal guarantee mean for plants?
The legal guarantee concerns the plant’s conformity at delivery. It is not a guarantee of survival or growth for two years. Each issue is assessed taking into account the nature of the plant, its care and the conditions in which it is kept. Your statutory rights remain unaffected.
Zamioculcaszamiifolia‘Raven’
When green goes… noir — without any ‘special’ care 🖤
- Araceae
- Raven® trade name · cultivar ‘Dowon’
- Lime new growth
- Mature purple-black foliage
- Rhizomatous growth
Zamioculcas zamiifolia ‘Raven’ turns the classic glossy ZZ structure into a dramatic colour sequence: new growth opens bright and each leaflet gradually deepens to near black. The same crown therefore shows the beginning and maturation of each growth cycle at once.
The contrast between a weighty storage base and fine moving foliage gives Zamioculcas zamiifolia ‘Raven’ a silhouette that feels grounded and light at the same time.
What makes it special
Raven® is not dyed or darkened at the surface; its colour develops physiologically as the tissue matures.
A gradual noir transition
As leaflets harden, the tone moves from green through deep purple to a visually near-black finish.
Glossy contrast
The smooth surface keeps bright reflections even across the darkest foliage, so detail is not lost.
Why you’ll love it: it places two completely different colour ages in one sculptural crown and turns every new leaf into a small event.
In your space Placement & plant pairings Where it looks its best and which plants complement it
Where it looks its best
In a bright corner, on a low stand or a generous side table, with enough space for the linear crown. Terracotta, sand or charcoal pots emphasise the sculptural trunk.
Plants that complement it
Choices with compatible light needs and contrasting textures keep the arrangement balanced.
- Scindapsus treubii ‘Moonlight’ — metallic silver-green that lifts deep foliage.
- Philodendron ‘Birkin’ — white pinstripes in a lower compact crown.
- Chamaedorea elegans — fine palm texture behind black axes.
Care at a glance
Light
Bright, indirect light for denser growth. It tolerates lower light but grows more slowly; avoid harsh direct sun.
Water
When almost all the mix is dry and the pot feels noticeably lighter. Water thoroughly and let it drain with no water left in the cover pot.
Atmosphere
Average household humidity and roughly 18–28°C. Protect it from cold, draughts and a persistently wet rhizome.
Pets
Not safe for chewing. Calcium oxalate raphides can cause immediate oral and digestive irritation.
Chosen for this plant
Substrate & nutrition
Detailed care Complete care guide Light, watering, humidity, substrate and nutrition in detail
Light and growth rate
Low light can keep the plant alive, but it is not a recipe for rapid new growth. Provide bright filtered light and turn the pot periodically so the axes develop evenly.
Checks before watering
Do not water by calendar. Check moisture at depth and the pot's weight because a dry surface can hide damp mix around the rhizomes.
Drainage
Use a container with open drainage holes and a mix containing stable coarse ingredients. After deep watering, let all excess escape before returning the pot to its cover.
Temperature and cleaning
Keep foliage away from cold glass and hot draughts. Wipe dust gently with a damp cloth, without leaf shine, so the surface receives light and remains easy to inspect for pests.
Mix and repotting
Repot only when roots and rhizomes have substantially filled or distorted the container. Move up one size and keep the crown at the same depth.
Measured feeding
During active growth use the recommended fertiliser at the label rate. Do not feed a dry or stressed root zone, and reduce frequency when light and growth decline.
Botanical identity Origin of the cultivar The species’ range and the history of the cultivated selection
An accepted species in Araceae
Zamioculcas zamiifolia is an accepted species in Araceae and the only currently accepted species in the genus Zamioculcas.
From eastern to southern Africa
Its documented native range extends from Kenya to KwaZulu-Natal in a seasonally dry tropical biome. Alternating moisture and dry periods explain the value of its storage rhizomes.
Raven® and ‘Dowon’
Raven® is the trade name used for the cultivar Zamioculcas zamiifolia ‘Dowon’, protected by patent USPP30,035. The cultivar arose from a natural branch mutation found in South Korea in 2006.
From natural habitat to care: The species retains the storage rhizomes of its seasonally dry origin, while the dark selection stays denser and cleaner in bright filtered light. Low-light tolerance does not remove the need for the mix to dry.
Greenleaf for Plant Nerds Scientific facts nobody asked for Botanical details for anyone curious about the plant behind the foliage
Black is an optical pigment effect
A very high concentration of anthocyanins over chlorophyll absorbs much of the visible light and makes mature foliage appear purple-black.
New growth begins green
Young tissues need functional chlorophyll as they expand. Darkening intensifies gradually as the leaflet matures and hardens.
The trait is maintained clonally
The patented selection is propagated vegetatively so the characteristic green-to-near-black cycle remains stable from generation to generation.
Rhizomes do not follow foliage colour
The commercial distinction lies mainly in the colour behaviour of above-ground compound leaves. Water storage and susceptibility to rot remain those of a ZZ plant.
Frequently asked questions
Practical answers about growth and the plant’s most common signals.
01 Why are the new leaves green?
That is the normal Raven® trait. New tissues open lime green and gradually darken to deep purple-black as they mature; it is not a loss of variegation.
02 When does it genuinely need water?
When the mix is dry through almost all its depth and the pot feels noticeably light. Water deeply, drain completely and never leave water in the cover pot.
03 Why are several axes yellowing together?
One old axis may age naturally. Several together, especially with wet mix or a soft base, call for an inspection of rhizomes, roots and drainage before more water is added.
04 Does it need frequent repotting?
No. Repot when roots and rhizomes have genuinely filled or distorted the container, moving up one size only and retaining an airy mix.
05 Can I propagate it from a leaflet?
Yes. A healthy leaflet can root and gradually form a new rhizome, but the process is slow. Use clean material and mild moisture without saturation.
06 Is it safe for pets and children?
Not for chewing or ingestion. Calcium oxalate raphides cause immediate oral irritation and possible digestive upset. Seek professional advice if symptoms appear.
📦 Your plant travels protected
Every order is prepared with care so your plant arrives upright, secure and safe.
Individual protection
Plants in pots with a capacity of 3 litres or more are placed in individual boxes that hold the pot securely and reduce the risk of tipping over.
Sturdy packaging
We use reinforced cardboard designed to protect against impacts and vibration during transport.