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Can the pot of the ZZ plant become poisonous?  Should you believe rumors?

Zamioculcas zamiifolia (Loddiges)Engl.

 Zamioculcas zamiifolia (Loddiges)Engl. 
 
 Synonyms: Zamioculcas loddigesii, Zamiacaulcas zamiafolia, Zamioculcas
lanceolata,
Z. "lancifolia" and strangely Caladium zamiaefolium (the basionym)
 
Common names: Aroid Palm, Arum Fern, ZZ Plant, Zu Zu Plant, Money Tree, Fat
Boy, Eternity Plant, Zanzibar Gem,
Chinese New Year Festive Plant, Chinese Gold Coin Plant and incorrectly
"Succulent Philodendron" 
 To water, or not to water? 
If you find the advice on the internet difficult to believe or it just doesn't work
read the article and you'll understand why the ZZ needs water!

 The basis for the information on this page can be found in the scientific text

The Genera of Araceae, by botanists Dr. Simon Mayo, J. Bogner and P.C.
Boyce.

The ZZ plant, Zamiioculcas zamiifolia is found in a region of Africa which

has extreme growing conditions.  An unusual aroid (member of the family
Araceae) the ZZ grows naturally in eastern Africa primarily in the
countries of Zanzibar and Tanzania.  Although it is true those countries
have a dry period that condition does not last year round!  There is also a
very wet period of heavy rain. 

An aroid, Zamioculcas zamiifolia (ZAM-e-o-CUL-cas, ZAM-e-eye-FOL-e-

a) is a sub-erect herb which sometimes grows to 0.75 meters (2.5 feet) or
larger in height.  It is commonly found growing in rocky areas as well as
on stone in its native region of the African continent.  Commonly known
as the ZZ plant due to its unusual scientific name the plant is one of only
a few species that can be started from a single leaf blade.

Known by many regional as well as poorly devised common names

including Zanzibar Gem, Aroid Palm, Money Tree, Eternity Plant, the
Chinese New Year Festive Plant, Succulent Philodendron and Arum Fern
the plant is popular around the globe   Zamioculcas zamiifolia is neither a
fern, palm nor Philodendron but it is in the same family as the genus
Philodendron which is also an aroid or member of the plant family
Araceae. 

Like much of the misleading information found on the internet it is

commonly believed the ZZ plant is found in the desert but aroid science
states there are no aroid species found in desert terrain anywhere in the
world.  That information can be confirmed in the text The Genera of
Araceae.  On page 46 you can read, "Zamioculcas zamiifolia is a succulent
plant which stores water in its thick petioles and is sometimes found in very dry
habitats, but is more common in evergreen seasonal forests and savannas."

Internet discussion groups include the bogus notion the ZZ plant is so

poisonous a clay pot cannot be used for another plant or can be
dangerous to touch.  Such rumors are based on reading untrue
information on another website, enhancing and elaborating on it
repeatedly, and posting some enhanced notion on another website again
and again.  These stories have been spread for years on the internet
about aroids but no scientific foundation can be found.  This quote came
from retired Research Chemist and aroid expert Ted Held, "Just a quick
check on Google ("Zamioculcas" and "poison") did not find anything
substantive. As far as I can tell, this appears to be hysteria."  Noted aroid
botanist Peter Boyce in Malaysia responded, "The best one circulating here
in Malaysia is that the pollen alone is enough to cause death in adult humans. I
know of NO science whatsoever to back-up these claims."

If you believe the plant is dangerous because it contains calcium oxalate

crystals you should know that the same chemical substance is found in
Parsley, Chives, Cassava, Spinach, Beet leaves, Carrot, Radish,
Collards, Bean, Brussels sprouts, Garlic, Lettuce, Watercress, Sweet
potato, Turnip, Broccoli, Celery, Eggplant, Cauliflower, Asparagus,
Cabbage, Tomato, Pea, Turnip greens, Potato, Onion, Okra, Pepper,
Squash, Cucumbers, Corn and other vegetables most of us eat on a
daily basis.  It is true some aroids can be very distasteful and may even
cause severe pain in the mouth and throat but to claim they are "deadly
poisonous" is without merit.  Just because something may taste really
bad does not mean it will kill you.  The best possible advice is to simply
not put an aroid leaf in your mouth!

If you are prone to believe falsely elaborated internet rumors please read
this link which provides information based in science:  Calcium oxalate
crystals

The species was described to science in 1905.  Some sellers advertise

Zamioculcas zamiifolia as a "new plant" but in truth Zamioculcas
zamiifolia has been around since the beginning of time but commercially,
the plant has been sold since the year 2000.   The genus name
Zamioculcas was derived due to a vague similarity to the foliage of group
known as  cycads which are found in the genus Zamia.   The genus
Zamia is in the family Zamiaceae which contains fern-like plants native to
tropical and subtropical America while the ZZ plant is in the family
Araceae.   Despite the general appearance there is no scientific
relationship between Zamioculcas zamiifolia and plants in the genus
Zamia. 

Z. zamiifolia is found naturally growing in both dry grassland as well as

lowland forests on rocky lightly shaded terrain but infrequently in deep
shade.  The species appears to enjoy moderately bright light and is
commonly becomes deciduous during dormancy.  Deciduous is the
natural dropping of the leaves during the dry season.  Once the leaflets
begin to drop it is not uncommon for them to form a bulblet or tubercle at
the end of the petiole.  These leaf tubercles allow the regeneration of a
new plant.  The tubercles regularly develop at the juncture of a leaflet
and petiole.  Despite incorrect found on the internet this species does not
grow from a bulb or a corm.  Aroids that have an underground starch
storage until only grow from a tuber.

Since the plant can tolerate long periods without water the internet is
filled with half truths about this species that are not scientifically
accurate.  Despite the information offered the plant needs water like any
other plant and is more inclined to drop all the leaves if not watered! 
During the native dry season Zamicoculcas zamiifolia does become
totally deciduous and commonly looses all its leaflets while it waits for the
rainy season to return.  Those leaflets are then capable of regenerating a
new plant.

The scientific text, The Genera of Araceae states this type of leaf to plant
regeneration is not common under the heading Leaf tubercles and
regeneration:  "Tubercles regularly develop at the juncture of leaflet and
petiole in Pinellia ternata (Hansen 1881, Linsbauer 1934, Troll 1939), at the
apical end of petiole in Typhonium bulbiferum (Sriboonma et al, 1994) and at
the first and second order divisions of the leaf of Amorphophallus bulbifer (Troll
1939)- Tubercles in Pinellia may also form spontaneously along the petiole or
can be induced in the basal part by cutting into segments (Linsbauer 1934).
Tubercles may develop in Typhonium violifolium at the leaf apex, the petiole
apex and at the apex of the sheath (Sriboonma et al, 1994)."

"Regeneration of tubers, leaves and roots from leaf segments is well known in
Zamioculcas zamiifolia and Gonotapus boivinii (Engler 1881, Schubert 1913,
Cutter 1962).  Isolated entire leaflets of Zamioculcas and Gonatopus
spontaneously develop a basal swelling, followed by the formation of roots and
up to 3 buds, over a 6-9 week period for Zamioculcas.  Leaf regeneration in
Gonatopus is more rapid.  The results of experimental manipulation of isolated
leaflets grown in culture show that any part of the compound leaf is capable of
regeneration".

The parts that appears to be a leaf are truly a leaflet or a part of a

compound leaf.  A compound leaf is composed of a number of leaflets on
a common stalk.  When the leaflets fall to the ground they attempt to
replicate themselves as a natural reproductive process by growing a 
tuber which forms naturally at the junction of the petiole and the stem but
roots may develop from other parts of the leaflet.  The petiole is the stalk
that supports the leaf while the stem is the plant's central axis.  Once the
rainy season arrives the habitat is no longer dry and the plant has
managed to survive by duplicating itself but can grow very well in a
wetter growing situation. 

The stem (central axis) of the plant is partially found underground as a

tuber.  This tuber is correctly known as a stem which extends upwards to
support the petioles and leaflets.  The petioles are technically a part of
the leaf and during the wet season both the stem and petiole swell to
store water as do succulents.  Being able to survive without water is a
survival characteristic, not a normal growing condition so the ability to
store water in a water retention structure
is vital to the long term survival of the
species. 

Since tubers can be regenerated at the

junction of the leaflet's petiole and stem
this is one method a new plant is
naturally propagated.  This characteristic
is limited in the family Araceae (aroids)
to Zamioculcas zamiifolia and
Gonotopus bovinnii.  Although
commonly called "stems"  by growers in
all plants the petioles are the stalks that
support each leaf or leaflet and should
not be called "stems".   This link explains
the difference between a stem and a
petiole. 

Using this unique survival ability house plant growers may be able to
grow their own plant using this unique characteristics by placing a leaf
with a petiole in a sandy soil mix with the adaxial surface (upper side)
facing upwards.  Keep the high humidity in the container by covering with
with clear plastic in moderately bright light.  You may just be lucky
enough to grow a new plant but be aware the process is not rapid!

The majority of websites simply pass along growing ideas promoted by

plant sellers which sometimes work to the benefit of the seller, not the
house plant grower. Even though many sites incorrectly recommend to
rarely water the plant if you read a scientific text written by a botanical
expert you will learn the ZZ plant endures a long period of wet followed
by the normal dry season.  Just because a pant can endure a drought
does not indicate it prefers a drought.  Recommending to rarely or never
water a specimen is very poor advice since the plant needs both a wet
season along with a somewhat drier period.  Leaving the plant constantly
dry will only result in the eventual loss of the leaves.

If you check garden websites you will read where house plant growers
commonly ask why their ZZ plant is "dying" and  loosing all the leaves
when they are "following the rules". Those are the same "rules" which
advise growers to rarely water the plant.  Quite simply, those "rules" are
not correct!   Because they don't understand what the term deciduous
means house plant growers tend to panic and think their plant is about to
die.  Had the plant been watered regularly there is no reason for the
deciduous period to even begin.  It would at least appear some sellers
prefer not to tell customers to expect the plant to drop its leaves if kept
dry since you are more likely to just buy a new plant.  In truth the
condition is a natural part of the plant's growth and reproductive cycle. 
The loss of all the leaflets does not indicate a plant is almost dead but
simply suffering as a result of a genetic survival ability and poor growing
growing conditions.  If you starve a plant for water the plant is going to do
exactly what Nature designed it to do! 

Some sites including eHow also give very poor advice on how to grow
the plant including recommending the use of "rich soil".  Even though a
specimen can survive for an amazingly long period of time in rich soil that
holds water that does not mean the plant enjoys the condition in which it
is being forced to survive.  The information to use rich soil is not based in
science since the plant grows naturally in fast draining sandy soil. 

Rich soil eventually suffocates as well as "drowns" a specimen causing

the roots to rot due to the growth of saprophytes.  A saprophyte is an
organism such as a fungus or bacterium that grows on and derives
nourishment from dead or decaying organic matter.  When the roots of
Zamioculcas zamiifolia are kept in wet soil they cannot easily gather
oxygen and thus begin to decay.  The end result is rapidly rotting roots
and eventually a dead plant. 

Following Mother Nature's example the soil mixture should be close to

that used for cacti and should contain some soil along with a greater
volume of sand, gravel and materials including Perlite that will slowly
allow the roots to gather moisture while not being starved for oxygen. 
The plant should be regularly watered but not allowed to stay wet!  In
nature the ZZ can survive for long periods only as a naked stem but as a
house plant it certainly won't be attractive without the leaflets.  Just as a
human or animal can uncomfortably survive for periods of time with no
food and water so can the ZZ plant.  Even though nature has designed
the species to survive with little water that does not mean it should be
purposely dehydrated!  The assumption the ZZ plant should be kept dry
year round is a total internet myth and house plant seller's fabrication.

It appears sellers are actually promoting this plant as a house plant

because they claim you can forget to water it for long periods of time. 
For short periods perhaps, but not indefinitely!   The plant may survive
but it will also not prosper and in time will look quite bad just as your cat
or dog would look terrible if not fed and watered.  It is likely a very large
number of plants are thrown away every year once all the leaflets drop
because the grower incorrectly believes it is dead.  In most cases, unless
the plant has endured a very long spell without water, it can be easily
saved with time and water!

This message came from aroid botanist Peter Boyce who is one of the
authors of The Genera of Araceae published by the Royal Botanic
Garden Kew in London.  Pete lives and works in Malaysia, "It is a very
popular plant, especially with the Chinese, who regard it as lucky (i.e., bringing
in money) by the way it can regenerate by the leaflets.   Here we grow it either
in pots of red soil (mainly derived from local ultisols of pH 4-5) mixed with 1/5
bulk coarse sand to give a water permeable mix that is high in nutrients, or in
the open ground in medium shade. In both 'habitats' plants will receive water
virtually every day either from rainfall (Kuching receives ca. 5 m per annum) or
in times of no rain then from hand watering. In such conditions plants grow very
quickly, producing a new leaf every 3 - 4 weeks.  A plant raised from a single
leaflet will carry 12 - 15 leaves and ca. 75 cm tall within a year. The one caveat
to giving so much water is that our temperatures are permanently high;
minimum 22 C nighttime and 28 C daytime with maxima of 26 C and 36 C
respectively. Humidity averages 80%."  Since Pete was quoting
temperatures in Celsius it should be noted those temps would be the
equivalent of very warm in the United States. 

Despite information on a few websites this species is not a

Philodendron.  The genus Philodendron is found only in the Neotropics
which include the Caribbean, southern Mexico, as well as Central and
South America.   Although Philodendron are grown by individuals all over
the world, they are naturally found only in the Neotropics and not in Africa
or Asia.  The only relationship between the genus Philodendron (over
1000 species) and the genus  Zamioculcas (containing one species) is
both genera are aroids.  The common name "succulent Philodendron" is
a very poor choice for a common name! 
Zamioculcas zamiifolia is also not an orchid nor a palm even though at
least one website is saying the species is an orchid!  Orchid species
produce very distinctive flowers which always contain three petals and
three sepals.   Zamioculcas zamiifolia does
not produce a "flower".  Instead the ZZ
produces an inflorescence with a spathe
and spadix.   There are very tiny flowers on
the spadix when it is ready to be pollinated,
but you would need a magnifying glass to
see them.  All the synonym names listed
above are now considered to be the same
species: Zamioculcas zamiifolia.  They
differ only due to natural variation.  
Variation is explained later in this article. 

Most Zamioculcas zamiifolia are mass

produced for sale.  The majority of
specimens sold in discount nurseries are
not grown from seed but instead created in
a laboratory by a chemical process known as tissue culture (TC or
cloning).  The genetic material was extracted from an adult plant,
replicated in a laboratory and grown in a lab dish.  Once the plants begin
to form they are then grown in multi-chambered trays before being sold
to a commercial grower who transfers each plant to an individual pot. 

This strange plant has been reported on some websites to reach a

maximum height of approximately 50cm or 20 inches, but Zamioculcas
zamiifolia can grow much larger.  The debate is a result of a discovery by
aroid botanists who have recently been required through scientific study
to combine all the synonyms (other names for the same species) into the
single species of Zamioculcas zamiifolia.  Interestingly the basionym for
the species is Caladium zamiaefolium even though the only relationship
between the genus Zamioculcas and the genus Caladium is both are
aroids.  A basionym is the original name applied to the taxon (species). 
The word is composed of "basio" from the Latin meaning basis, from the
Greek "bainein" meaning step, and "nym" also from the Latin word 
"nomen" which means name.   A basionym is the first step in the naming
process.  The confusion arose many years ago when botanists had yet to
clearly define all the species in the family Araceae and simply had no
idea which genus properly fit the strange plant.  At one time the species
names including Zamioculcas loddigesii, Zamiacaulcas zamiifolia and
Zamioculcas lanceolata were considered to be unique species but all are
now considered to be the single species Zamioculcas zamiifolia.  The
difference in all the names appears to have been only the size of the
plant or other non-significant differences due to natural variation.

Within aroids variation in leaf shape, plant size and other characteristics
is common.  As a result many aroid species have multiple characteristics
which serve to confuse novice collectors.  The final determination of the
species is found within the of the inflorescence of the plant which
contains the sexual parts.  If those sexual parts are the same from plant
to plant then they are the same species.  Consider natural variation to be
like human beings.  We have many different faces, hair color, skin color
and body sizes but is only a single species of human beings. 

Even though you will later read in this article a reference to "other
species", noted and frequently published aroid expert Julius Boos pointed
out in a post on the aroid discussion forum Aroid l (L), "The genus East
African Zamioculcas, as presently understood, consists of just one widespread
but variable species, Zamioculcas zamiifolia (Loddiges) Engler.  This may be
confirmed by reading the two most recent works on the genus, Pg. 149 of "The
Genera of Araceae" by S.J. Mayo, J. Bogner, and P.C. Boyce, and a recent
update in "Aroideana", Vol 28, 2005, pg. 3, by Josef Bogner.   You may note
that in the article in Aroideana, figs. 4-6, pg. 7, Josef notes that Z. "lancifolia" is
a synonym of Z. zamioculcas."  Aroideana is the annual publication of the
International Aroid Society. 

Aroids are a fairly large group of approximately 3300 species of plants

that reproduce by the production of an inflorescence (see photo below of
the spathe and spadix of Zamioculcas zamiifolia).  You have likely seen
an aroid inflorescence if you have ever grown a Peace Lily
(Spathiphyllum).   If pollinated by an appropriate insect, brown berries will
develop on the spadix and those berries are ellipsoid in shape and will
produce seeds.  The berries grow on the sides of the upright spadix at
the center of the spathe and the pair is known as an inflorescence.  On
any aroid that spathe is not a flower but is instead simply a modified
leaf.   The ZZ plant normally produces one to two inflorescences during
its natural reproductive period.

Little is known by science as to the sexual reproduction of this aroid

species.  However, it is easily reproduced from a single leaf.  Julius
explains,  "I believe that there may not be photos of fruit developing on this
most interesting African aroid Zamioculcas zamiifolia because it is so easy to
reproduce by just sticking a leaflet in the soil as is its close relative Gonotopus!
Zamioculcas belongs to the group of aroids which produce unisexual blooms. 
In other words they produce spadices consisting of separate zones.  The female
zone is at the base with the male zone and sometimes with one or rarely a couple
of sterile zones arranged above the female zone. From illustrations of the spadix
of this genus it
would appear
that there is a
vary narrow
sterile zone
between the
female and male
zones. It should
be a fairly
simple matter
for an owner of
one of these
plants at
maturity (and
with several
blooms

developing/opening), to select the most mature bloom when it is at male anthesis

after the bloom has opened fully and is visibly producing pollen and to collect
pollen on a small brush wetted with distilled water and transfer this pollen to the
female zone of another younger bloom just as it is beginning to open. One may
have to carefully cut away a bit of the spathe to get at the female zone. It may
take a few attempts to get the timing right as I speak in general terms here.  I
have always been interested in the pollinators and strategy for pollination which
Zamioculcas seems to employ. The blooms are produced on short peduncles
almost at ground level.  As they mature they lean over on the peduncle and as
they open the spathe sort of unrolls toward ground level, seemingly to provide a
ramp or ''red carpet'' to facilitate visiting insects walking on the ground,
perhaps ants or terrestrial beetles in its home range! If one is successful in
pollination and fruit/seed production, it will be most interesting to learn what
strategy is employed by this plant for dispersal of its fruit and seed, based on the
size and texture of its fruit and seeds, to speculate what insects or birds or
mammals might be the distributors!"   A peduncle is the stalk-like support for
an inflorescence and is the internode between the spathe and the last
foliage leaf.

Pollination of Zamioculcas zamiifolia is caused by a unique set of

circumstances devised by nature.  As with virtually all aroids and
numerous other plant species a single insect pollinator species has been
assigned the task of collecting pollen from a plant producing mature male
flowers at male anthesis and then transports that pollen to the sexually
mature female flowers of another plant during female anthesis.  The
female flowers which are receptive to pollen are separated from the male
flowers which produce that pollen via a zone of sterile male flowers.  The
spadix is known to have a bi-sexual inflorescence containing the male,
sterile male and female flowers in distinct zones.  This technique is used
to prevent self pollination but in some species that is still possible. 

It is unknown for certain if this species is capable of self pollination and

science is not currently aware of the exact insect species involved in the
process.  The male of that insect species is attracted to the mature
female flowers which grow along the spadix by a unique pheromone or
perfume.  A single molecule of that pheromone can be detected at great
distances by the olfactory senses of the male insect.  Although not
completely documented, to a male insect that pheromone may smell
similar to the female of his own species who is ready to be impregnated. 
As the spathe reaches sexual maturity it reflexes once the small female
flowers along the spadix are ready to be pollinated.  Once ready, the
peduncle which is always short and is the structure that supports the
inflorescence curves in to move the inflorescence towards the ground to
the point of contact. 

As explained by Julius, the goal of the plant appears to be to reach the

ground thus facilitating possible ground dwelling pollinators such as an
ant or beetle to climb into the tiny blooms in to spread pollen from other
specimens to the female flowers thus causing pollination.  For those
scientifically inclined, the entire process is explained in detail in the
scientific text The Genera of Araceae by botanists Dr. Simon Mayo, J.
Bogner and P.C. Boyce on page 146 and following.  You should be
aware this text is quite costly and written using scientific terminology.  If
you elect to read it bring along a botanical dictionary.  If you are
interested in learning more about aroid pollination please find the link at
the bottom of this page which will lead you to a basic introduction into
aroid sexual reproduction.
 
The species is highly variable and there are specimens that are
substantially taller than the published "maximum" height on some
websites.   Individual specimens attain a variety of sizes largely due to
growing conditions.  Zamioculcas zamiifolia grows with all its glossy
leaves facing in one direction, a structure known to botany as pinnate
leaves.  Pinnate leaves are those arranged similar to the fronds of a
palm.  The plant's structure is likely to have led to the common name
"Aroid Palm".  This link offers a more complete explanation in non-
technical language regarding natural variation and morphogenesis within
aroid species Natural variation.

Experienced growers who understand aroid species frequently

recommend planting a specimen in well draining soil such as a moisture
control mix with more than 50% sand and Perlite™ added.  Most experts
advise not to keep the roots of this species in mud and to avoid "off the
shelf" potting soil mixes.   If you have attempted to pot your plant in
Miracle Grow or other soggy soil repot it now!

Since this species is an aroid, in the first week of August, 2007 one of the
world's best known aroid botanists, Dr. Thomas B. Croat Ph.D., P.A.
Schulze Curator of Botany of the Missouri Botanical Garden in St.
Louis, MO. asked a group of well qualified aroid growers, experts,
researchers, some botanists and numerous professional aroid growers
from all over the world this question via the discussion group Aroid l (L).
Dr. Croat does not specialize in African species, "A colleague here at the
Gardens asks what are the best soil conditions and general care for this species.
We have it in the greenhouse where it thrives but do any of you grow it in your
house. Does it require special care? I would appreciate it if anyone has any
advise."  

The answers were varied and surprising!

"The plant is nearly bullet proof. If you grow it in a house it will grow very
slowly. In a greenhouse it will grow like mad. Mine was 10 cm tall, in a room
with no natural light and rare waterings after a year it looked the same. Moved
to the greenhouse fed and watered it, and in a year it was more than a meter
tall."

"My daughter gave me one about two years ago. I read everything i could find
and according to what I can locate Zamioculcas zamiifolia enjoys drier arid
conditions. Supposedly, it likes water in the rainy season and little moisture
during the dry season. That just didn't fit into the way I grow aroids in my
tropical atrium, so I just planted it! In fact, it is just feet away from my large
Anthurium regale. The plant is watered as often as all the other tropical aroids
and does just fine! It is in very loose soil with lots of sand added. But other than
that, we don't do anything special. To be honest, I wasn't crazy about the thing.
But my daughter read it was an aroid so she got it for me. It may eventually not
survive, but for several years it has tolerated my "tropical conditions" well."

"I agree with what (name removed) reported, both on what research will tell you
the plant wants, some moisture and then a dry season, and on what his reality
was, and mine as well. We planted ours in an upper planter pocket in the rain
forest simulation at UNC Charlotte, where it was fairly well drained but pretty
constant moisture as well, and it just thrived, flowered, the whole nine yards. It
got some sun, but not much - just good bright light, well drained soil, and good
moisture. It got real good sized for us under those conditions."

"Keep it well drained. It can be grown in an orchid compost (tough or graded

bark mixed with an equiv volume of peat moss) or peat moss - perlite (5-0 mm)
equiv mix or in sand (5-0 mm) - peat 3:1 mix. I got an over watered one and I
kept it dry for 2 months now it looks better."

Many of these folks are professionals and botanical experts, others

simply collectors.  Just put it in sandy soil and do your thing!   In fact, it
seems the people who water it more may actually have better results with
better growth and a healthier plant!  The key appears to be in having well
draining sandy soil.  Obviously there is no single path to the perfect
growing of Zamioculcas zamiifolia .  Every grower needs to do their own
research and find what works best.  As for how much to water the answer
appears to be water as much as you like but if you want it to prosper
more than you are likely offering the plant right now, especially if your
specimen is not "growing like a weed" . 

If your plant is in soggy potting soil get it out!

Aroid Pollination!
 As it occurs in nature and by any horticulturist

Want to learn more about aroids?

Join the International Aroid Society:  http://www.exoticrainforest.com/Join
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