It is a herbaceous plant growing to 45–60 cm tall, from a stout underground, succulent rhizome. It is normally evergreen, but becomes deciduous during drought, surviving drought due to the large potato-like rhizome that stores water until rainfall resumes. The leaves are pinnate, 40–60 cm long, with 6-8 pairs of leaflets 7–15 cm long; they are smooth, shiny, and dark green. The flowers are produced in a small bright yellow to brown or bronze spadix 5–7 cm long, partly hidden among the leaf bases; flowering is from mid summer to early autumn. All parts of the plant are poisonous if ingested. Zamioculcas is grown as an ornamental plant, mainly for its attractive glossy foliage.