ZZ plants, botanically named Zamioculcas Zamiifolia, are great indoor plants, but they can be pretty expensive. If you’d love to multiply this plant or give some to your friends, knowing how to propagate ZZ plants is the best way to make it possible.
What’s interesting about this plant is you can propagate it from a leaf. Apart from that, you can also multiply it by propagating from seeds, stem cuttings, and by division.
To help you choose the best way to propagate ZZ plants, we’ll lay here the four methods to do it. We’ll also answer some of the frequently asked questions to enlighten you further, so stick around!
How Do I Propagate ZZ Plants?
Without further ado, let’s address each propagation method in depth.
How Do I Propagate ZZ Plants by Division?
If you want to get a new ZZ plant in the fastest way possible, propagating by dividing the roots underneath the soil is the best option. What’s even better about this method is that it’ll give the mother ZZ plant more space to expand in its pot.
However, you’ll need to have well-established ZZ plants to make clustering possible. If you see new petioles making their way up from the soil, it indicates that the roots are ready to part ways.
- Gently pull out the ZZ plants from their existing pot.
- Shake off or wash the old soil in water to spot the root growth easily.
- Split the plant into sections.
- Each section should have enough roots to ensure successful propagation.
- Separate the parts using a sharp, clean knife while avoiding damage to the rhizomes and roots.
- Prepare pots equal to the number of divisions you’ve created and fill them with a specialized potting mix.
- Place one division of the ZZ plant inside each pot.
- Fill the gaps with more soil until it’s about an inch below the rim.
- Gently press down the surface of the soil to put the plant in place.
- Water the new divisions well.
- Place the new pots somewhere with bright, indirect light.
How Do I Propagate ZZ Plants From Stem Cuttings?
Stem cuttings also yield fast results. When choosing stems to cut, pick the ones covered by foliage so that you can maintain the gorgeous look of the mother ZZ.
- Using a sharp clean knife, cut a healthy stem at the base of your ZZ plant.
- To get multiple cuttings, divide the stem into parts.
- Each part should be at least four inches long and must carry one or two leaves on top.
- Make the cut as clean as possible to promote quick healing.
- Place the petiole in a glass with one to two inches of water, making sure that the leaves stay above the level of the water.
- Let the stem cuttings sit there for weeks until they develop new roots.
- Place the stem cuttings near a window where they can receive bright, indirect light.
- Once the stem cuttings have grown rhizomes and about an inch of new roots, it’s time to repot them.
- Now, choose an average-sized pot with drain holes at the bottom and pour about two inches of potting mix into it.
- Then, place the rooted cuttings into the pot, just enough to cover the rhizomes with soil.
- You can put multiple stems in one pot if you’d like.
- Add more soil around the stems until it’s about an inch below the rim of the pot.
- Pour a stream of water within the circumference of the pot.
- Finally, place the new plants in a spot where they can get indirect light.
How Do I Propagate ZZ Plants From Leaf Cuttings?
Propagating ZZ plants from leaf cuttings takes a lot of time compared to the first two methods.
Looking at the bright side, you can multiply this plant at an interestingly greater number with this propagation technique.
- Prepare a sharp and sanitized blade or knife.
- Cut some healthy leaves along with small petioles to help in the development of new rhizomes.
- Fill a tray or pot with a mixture of garden soil, cocopeat, and compost.
- Pour some water to moisten the soil.
- Now, push the base of the leaves into the soil upright, leaving most parts exposed.
- Secure the potted leaf in a shady spot away from direct sunlight.
- With the right conditions, the leaf cuttings will develop roots ready for planting in three to four months.
- Once you see about an inch-long root, you can finally transplant the rooted leaves into a new potting soil that drains well.
- Spray some water around the soil after repotting.
- Finally, keep the new plants somewhere they can get indirect sunlight and water them at least once a week.
How Do I Propagate ZZ Plants From Seeds?
Propagating ZZ plants from seeds is a rarely used method. This is because it’s difficult to harvest seeds from this plant.
However, if you manage to purchase ZZ seeds online, you can definitely experiment with this option.
- You’ll have to germinate the seeds first in a pot of well-draining potting soil.
- Keep the soil moist.
- Place the pot in a shady area to boost the germination rate.
- Plantlets will sprout from the soil in a week.
- Patiently wait until they grow two to four leaves.
- Lastly, transfer the new plants to a spot where they can get indirect light.
How Long Does It Take to Propagate ZZ Plants?
It takes pretty long for these plants to root—usually three or four months. Sometimes, it may even take up to seven months.
Other ZZ plant guides
Why Do ZZ Plants Have Yellow Leaves?
Most people buy ZZ plants because of their beautiful green leaves and how easy they are to take care of. That’s why it can be incredibly disappointing when you notice signs of yellowing on the foliage. You begin to wonder…
How to Care For ZZ Plants: The Complete Guide
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FAQs
Is it best to keep the ZZ plant in water?
You can grow roots of ZZ plants in water, but these plants can’t live there for long.
That’s because ZZ plants have a unique root system that helps them grow better in well-draining soil.
What is the best way to propagate ZZ plants?
Clustering the roots of a well-established ZZ plant is the best and fastest way to propagate it.
However, propagating the stem cuttings in the soil is pretty great, too. The process is usually straightforward. Plus, you don’t get to disturb the mother ZZ.
Final Thoughts
Now that you’ve read our guide, you know all about how to propagate ZZ plants.
Whether you go for propagation by division, using leaves or stem cuttings, or through seeds, we’re sure they’ll all yield great results. Time to grow that ZZ plant collection!
