ZZ Plant Propagation - A Full Guide

Propagating the Zamioculcas zamiifolia (ZZ) plant is easier since it’s a plant that grows even when not treated right.

It’s an incredible garden and office plant, and you should propagate it and share with friends. Though ZZ propagation is easier, it can take a length of nine months or more.

This plant is ideal for beginners who are learning to propagate plants, and it can survive at various light levels. It has low water requirements, and it grows quickly, enabling you to see the leaves thrive.

But as it continues to grow, it might get damage and you will need to propagate it. This guide has the details you need about propagating the ZZ plant.

Table of Contents

Why ZZ Plants need Less water

The ZZ plants don’t need much or frequent watering since their rhizomes retain water. These rhizomes are like small potatoes, and they usually peek from the soil at the base of the ZZ plant.

To propagate the ZZ plant, you make a cutting, and it will develop roots and grow.

ZZ Plant Leaf Propagation

It’s not a surprise to find ZZ plants growing in office spaces with low light and no fresh air. They’re hardy plants and are commonly known as a fat boy, or aroid palm.

They have been grown in homes for years, and can also be propagated using roots. But you can only propagate the ZZ plant using division, after some time since the plant takes time to generate new rhizomes.

Therefore, making many cuttings can lead to the death or damage of the plant. This makes leaf cuttings the best materials for propagation.

Though stem cuttings are not the best, you can include two leaves and stem to ensure the child plant’s quicker growth.

But experts recommend using leaf cuttings as they have a faster growth under favorable conditions. But if you don’t have a greenhouse, then it could take more than nine months.

Propagating the ZZ Plant

Before you start to propagate, you will need healthy ZZ plants. These plants should not have any signs of weakness or disease as propagation will weaken the parent plant.

But if you want to save the plant from dying, then propagate it using various methods since some of the cuttings could survive.

You can also propagate the ZZ plant if you notice a rare variety in your garden. This preserves the rare species, and gives you a chance to formalize the variety.

Most garden centers use this strategy, and they protect their species from propagation with patents that last for 15 years.

Step by Step Process of Propagating ZZ plants

After getting the ZZ cuttings, you should choose the medium. Though the plants will do well in water, it’s not wiser as it can lead to rotting; this makes a poor choice for establishing new plants.

Instead, use well-drained soil, and your rooting mixture should have less soil and excellent drainage.

You can go for the potting soil full of perlite or vermiculite. This gives the soil a lighter texture and improves the soil’s drainage capacity.

Propagating ZZ plants from seeds

This is the least popular method of propagating the plants. Insects must pollinate the flowers to produce the seeds, and this is hard in offices and other enclosed indoor spaces. After pollination, the seeds will develop in the plant.

You can use a fine paintbrush to locate these seeds and then sow them. Over time, they will grow into ZZ seedlings.

Rooting ZZ Plant Cuttings

Use mature stems for your ZZ plant rooting and wait for the cut end to callous. It can take a few hours, and after the process, insert it into the rooting medium and leave it in a warm area with enough sunlight for 24 hours.

The roots and rhizomes can form after 30 days, and once a few peek out, it’s time to report the seedlings.

Ensure you root many ZZ plant cuttings as they have lower chances of growing. Also, avoid checking for the emergence of roots as this may lead to damage to the plant.

Usually, it can take even up to 9 months or more if the cuttings lack the prerequisite conditions for growth.

Just put the cuttings in a nearby location, which enables you to water them regularly. Over time, the plant will start growing and develop into an adult.

Read more: ZZ Plants’ Toxicity to Cats

FAQs

Is it possible to grow ZZ plants from cuttings?

Yes, the ZZ plants can be grown via leaf cuttings. However, they will take longer to grow. Ensure the leaf is closer to the stalk and include a part of the stem in your cutting.

Next, put the cutting in a potting mixture and water regularly until it develops.

What period does the ZZ plant take before rooting in water?

If you propagate the ZZ stems in water, then the plants will take a bit to germinate. They will start to root in 3-4 weeks.

How can I propagate ZZ plant rhizomes?

The ZZ plants have rhizomes which store water. Since the plant has rhizomes, you will find it interesting when propagating these plants as the rhizomes develop when the plant is rooting.

Which is better between soil and water propagation?

Though water propagation is one of the fastest ways for the ZZ plant, it can lead to plant rotting. This makes it a poor alternative to soil propagation.

But if you propagate via soil, use only well-drained soil to enable the rhizomes to develop.

Can you place the cuttings directly into the soil?

Yes, you can put the soil directly to the soil. However, the soil might lack the right conditions such as airflow, moisture, and humidity.

Should I propagate the succulents in soil or water?

It’s better to propagate in water since if the soil remains wet, they will be exposed to pathogens and fungus that will accelerate disease infection and root rotting.

But with water propagation, there are no pathogens and therefore lower chances of rotting.

Bottom-line

Propagating the ZZ plants is essential to ensure they survive longer in your home; sooner, you will have many plants in your home with this plant that will survive even neglect.

Follow our guide today to propagate the Zamioculcas zamiifolia successfully.

Photo by Ron Lach from Pexels