One of the simplest houseplants for newcomers is the unassuming ZZ Plant, Zamioculcas zamiifolia. It grows fairly quickly, can survive in all lighting conditions, and you can enjoy watching its new leaves emerge.
Are you interested in ZZ plant propagation? There are actually three different ways to multiply this common and hardy houseplant. In this article, I’ll walk you through the process of growing Zamioculcas zamiifolia by division or leaf or stem cuttings.
Propagate A ZZ Plant From Stem Cuttings
Since you only need a few stem cuttings to create a new plant, taking stem cuttings from a ZZ plant is fairly simple.
- Cut a stem from the mother plant with a sterilized knife or pair of scissors first. The cutting should be at least two inches long and have a few strong leaves near the top.
- It is possible to divide a single large cutting into smaller ones in order to propagate a ZZ plant. It ought to work as long as each segment is still at least two inches long and has a few leafy, healthy plants.
- It is advised to leave the stem cuttings out somewhere warm for a short while after taking them to allow the cut ends to callus over. While some wait as long as three days, others only do it for a few hours. Although it does lessen the likelihood of rot, it is not a requirement.
Two choices are available once your stem cuttings are prepared: the soil method and the water method. Both are easy to do.
Stem Cuttings In Water
For this technique, all you need to do is add some water to a container or glass after you’ve taken some stem cuttings. It is not necessary to use a lot of water: just enough to make sure to cover the cut ends.
Once or twice a week, change the water in the container and keep it in a warm, well-lit area.
Although the length of time it takes for new roots to form varies, be ready to wait. The first indications of movement may appear in a week or two, but it may take two months or longer for the roots to expand to the point where repotting is even a possibility. sometimes even longer!
Stem Cuttings In Soil
You must cut a stem into one or more pieces, just like with the method involving stem cuttings in water. Again, before proceeding, it is advised to give the stem cuttings some time to heal.
You can plant the cuttings in loose, well-draining soil once the cuts have calloused over. For houseplants with succulent-like characteristics like this one, regular potting soil combined with some perlite and/or orchid bark works perfectly. After placing the cuttings, give them a lot of water.
This approach also requires some time. It might take a while before any leaves appear on your cuttings because they will first work on developing their root system before putting out new growth above ground.
Propagate A ZZ Plant From Leaf Cuttings
You can propagate your ZZ Plant using a leaf cutting even though it will take longer for it to develop a rhizome and roots.
- A leaf should be cut off as close to the stalk as possible, taking a small amount of stem with it.
- Put the leaf’s stem into the potting soil about 1 cm deep.
- Because one leaf in a pot will look so depressing, you should probably take several leaf cuttings.
- Let the water in the leaf pot soak for a while. About once every two weeks, when the soil is dry, rehydrate.
When we checked these leaves after three months of growth, we noticed that tiny baby rhizomes were sprouting!
Propagate A ZZ Plant Through Division
The division method is by far the quickest and simplest way to propagate a ZZ plant. It does, however, imply that you need a fairly mature plant with numerous stems.
Because ZZ plants cluster their rhizome plants, divisional propagation is effective. When new stems begin to emerge from the ground next to the mother plant, yours is ready to be divided.
Simply remove the mother plant from its container, break up the soil, and divide the plant into several. You’re good to go if you check that each section has plenty of leaves and roots and plant it in new soil.
Of course, the fact that these new plants are already fairly established is a plus. They might pout for a while, but they should grow well and have a high success rate.
When To Propagate A ZZ Plant
Early spring or the summer are the ideal times to propagate ZZ plant stem cuttings or leaves. They will then be able to take advantage of the warmer months ahead.
The best times of year to divide them are spring or summer. They’ll recover more quickly during the warmer months, increasing your chances of success.
How To Care For Newly Propagated ZZ Plants
Following division or potting up rooted cuttings, freshly propagated ZZ plants frequently droop. They ought to reappear in a few days.
To hasten their recovery, keep the soil damp and place them in a bright, warm area with typical humidity.
Prepare containers with a mixture that will drain well before planting rooted cuttings in them. For best results, mix perlite into general-purpose potting soil or use a cactus mix.
Gently pack the soil around them as you nestle them into it, being careful not to break any of the new, delicate roots. The roots and rhizomes should be solidly covered.
Give your newborns a full glass of water, letting the extra runoff into the pot. Return it to a warm, well-lit area after that.
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