How to Propagate a ZZ Plant: 3 Methods

The Zamioculcas zamiifolia, or ZZ plant, is a popular houseplant valued for its resilience and low-maintenance nature. Propagating this plant is a straightforward process that allows you to multiply your collection at no cost. While it demands significant patience, creating new, independent plants from a parent is a simple way to grow more of these durable plants.

Methods for ZZ Plant Propagation

Stem Cuttings

One of the most common ways to create a new ZZ plant is through stem cuttings, a method that produces results faster than other techniques. Begin by selecting a healthy, mature stalk and use a clean, sharp knife to cut it off at the base, near the soil line. Making a clean cut is important for preventing disease. Once you have the stalk, you can choose to root it in either water or soil.

For water propagation, place the cut end of the stem into a glass or jar with a few inches of water, ensuring no leaves are submerged. If any leaves are below the waterline, remove them to prevent rot. A new rhizome and roots will begin to form from the base.

Alternatively, the stem cutting can be planted directly into a pot. You may want to remove the lowest set of leaflets to expose more of the stem. Insert the cut end into moist potting mix, deep enough so it stands securely on its own.

Leaf Cuttings

Propagating a ZZ plant from a single leaf is another option, though it is the slowest method. This technique is useful if a leaf is accidentally knocked off or if you want to create many new plants. Using a sanitized tool, snip off a healthy leaf as close to the main stalk as possible, trying to include a small piece of the stem. Taking a bit of the stem provides more surface area for new growth to emerge.

Prepare a shallow container and insert the base of each leaf about a centimeter deep into the soil, just enough so it is stable. Because a single leaf develops slowly and may look sparse on its own, planting multiple leaf cuttings in the same pot is a good idea.

During this time, a small rhizome will slowly form at the base of the leaf, followed by roots, and a new stalk will eventually sprout.

Rhizome Division

For the quickest results, rhizome division is the best method. This process creates a mature-looking plant almost instantly and is ideal for larger, established ZZ plants that may be outgrowing their pot.

To begin, carefully remove the entire plant from its pot. You may need to lay the plant on its side and gently wiggle the pot off the root ball. Once it is out, gently brush away the soil to expose the underground rhizomes, which are potato-like structures.

With the rhizomes visible, carefully pull them apart by hand. Separate them into clumps, ensuring each new division has at least one healthy rhizome and one or more attached stems. Each of these new clumps is a self-sufficient plant ready for its own pot.

Caring for New Propagations

Once your cuttings or divisions are prepared, providing the right environment is the next step. All new propagations benefit from being placed in a warm spot with bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight is too intense and may scorch the vulnerable cuttings, while insufficient light can slow the lengthy process of root development. ZZ plants are known for their slow growth, so patience is required.

For cuttings placed in water, regular maintenance is needed to prevent bacterial growth. The water should be changed every few weeks, or sooner if you notice it has become cloudy. The appearance of a small, bulbous rhizome and thin roots at the base of the stem is a clear sign of progress.

Soil-based propagations require careful watering. The soil should be watered thoroughly after planting and then allowed to dry out almost completely before watering again. Overwatering is a significant risk, as cuttings can easily rot without an established root system to absorb moisture.

Potting and Establishing Young Plants

For cuttings rooted in water, the signal to pot them is when the new roots are at least one to two inches long. At this point, you will also see a small rhizome at the base of the cutting, indicating it is ready for soil. For leaf cuttings, the emergence of a tiny new stalk from the soil is the sign that a rhizome and roots have formed beneath the surface.

Selecting the right container and soil is important for the long-term health of the young plant. A pot with at least one large drainage hole is a must to prevent root rot. A well-draining potting mix, similar to what is used for cacti or succulents, is an excellent choice.

When planting your newly rooted cutting, fill the pot with soil and gently place the fragile roots inside. If you propagated multiple cuttings, they can be planted together in the same pot to create a fuller-looking plant. Add more soil to support the cutting, water it thoroughly, and let any excess drain away. Place the newly potted plant in bright, indirect light and allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings.