ZZ plant cuttings and their subsequent propagation is an efficient and fast way to increase plant numbers, but be careful where you cut and use only sanitized gardening tools since ZZ plant cuttings may contain bacteria that could harm both the mother plant and new seedlings.
ZZ plants are sturdy houseplants that resist wilting in water as quickly. Rooting stem cuttings may take some time, but the process should be simple once established.
Root Division
The ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamifolia) is one of the easiest houseplants to propagate from cuttings or divisions. This makes it easier to grow and share your favorite ZZs with family and neighbors. ZZ plants also look great growing in hanging baskets to give them plenty of light!
If you want to propagate ZZ plants through root division, first prepare the planting area. This process may become messy as you take steps such as unpotting it from its current container and cleaning and sharpening your tools before proceeding with root division. Wear gloves while performing this activity to protect yourself and any curious children or animals who might come over and inspect what cuttings or rhizomes you are working with.
Your plant propagation supplies should include a container for its roots or new growth, potting mix, and sharp pruning shears. If propagating in water, be sure to regularly switch out your supply for fresh oxygen-rich water to provide oxygenation of roots – ZZ plants tend to develop rot if left stagnant for too long!
Rooting hormone is an ideal way to increase your chances of success with ZZ plant cuttings or sprouts, as it promotes their development. Available at most garden centers, stir a dose into sprouting medium or potting soil for best results.
Once your newly sprouted ZZ plant or rhizomes have taken root in the soil, continue caring for them as you would their parent plant. Provide them with plenty of sunlight, average humidity levels, and regular but not excessive watering – never overdo it! If the sprouts or rhizomes start drooping, use a heat mat and mist them with water to revive them.
Proper care of ZZ plants will ensure their long-term health and happiness, providing plenty of lush leaves or vibrant stems to admire in your home. If there are too many to manage, consider dividing your plant to spread its beauty to different areas or give it away as gifts.
Stem Cuttings
ZZ plants are popular for many reasons: they’re hardy, beautiful in most settings, and tolerate neglect better than many other houseplants. Plus, their underground rhizomes make propagating them relatively straightforward – stem cuttings being one of the fastest methods for growing new ZZ plants!
To propagate a ZZ plant by stem, select a healthy, leafy section from its main stem that has recently sprouted branches. Be mindful that root development may take some time; using another propagation method, like division, maybe more accessible.
First, prepare an appropriate container for the stem to grow in. This could be a vase, jar, canning tin, or plastic tray–so long as it’s clean. To eliminate any chance of bacteria or fungus entering into the cutting process, sterilize all tools and containers using either rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide before beginning cutting.
Once the container is prepared, place the stem inside with two to three inches of water – no more. Keep this water level low to prevent root rot while providing oxygen-rich cuttings with sufficient room to form roots. In addition, regularly changing out this supply is essential to avoid bacteria build-up within your container.
As part of your efforts to increase humidity, placing the stem in a plastic bag will also protect it from sudden temperature shifts that might cause it to wilt prematurely.
After several months, your cutting should be ready to be removed from its water home and planted into its new pot with proper care to develop into a full-sized ZZ plant.
Division by Cutting
Due to their rootless growth pattern, ZZ plants may not be as easy to propagate as other houseplants. But with patience and cuttings of leaves or stems from old plants, new ZZs can emerge! It is also perfect for those who want a compact window sill setup, as these rhizome-based houseplants still produce substantial root systems when planted in small pots.
No matter if you are using leaves or stems, here are a few steps that will increase your odds of success. First and foremost, ensure your cuttings are fresh and healthy; otherwise, they are much harder to root successfully. A sterile propagation medium such as soil or LECA pebbles will aid this process, as will inscribing cuttings as quickly as possible in these rooting media.
As part of your trimming routine, you must also use clean and sharp trimming tools, such as shears or razor blades, that are rust-free. Dull tools can damage vital tissues on either side of a cut line and significantly decrease your chances of successfully rooting cuttings. If you can’t invest in dedicated pruning shears, regular scissors will do just fine; bear in mind that rooting may take longer due to being less precise.
Once you’re ready to begin, carefully trim a leaf or stem cuttings to approximately 6 inches long. When making cuts below nodes (the point at which a branch begins), cut as close to them as possible for maximum ease. Stems and nodes will eventually form their roots, but this initial cut must be seamless.
Once your cutting has been prepared, please place it in an area with indirect sunlight and allow the roots to form naturally over time. Rooting hormone may hasten this process, but ZZ plants take their time when developing from cuttings.
Leaf Cuttings
Although leaf-cutting propagation produces more compact plants than section or stem cuttings, it takes much longer to develop into full-grown specimens because leaf cuttings occupy more space than those sprouting from stems or sections.
As with any method, this one requires several items. These are: (1) a water container/propagation station, (2) pruning shears or razor blade/scissors with sharp, sanitized cutting blades, (3) rooting hormone, and (4) a small amount of rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide for sterilizing tools as well as preventing disease transmission between plants when cutting into stems or roots.
Start by selecting a healthy leaf. Slice off about an inch long of its underside where its vein runs; this should ensure that this part of the leaf stays attached to its central stalk.
Select a planting medium. Water allows you to monitor root development, while soil produces stronger roots more resistant to transplant shock.
When using water for cuttings, cover them with a plastic bag to protect them from drying out too quickly or becoming contaminated by bacteria from other plants or soil. However, this step is no longer necessary when using mediums like potting soil or LECA pebbles instead.
Once your cuttings are in the planting medium, please place them in a bright, warm area with average humidity. Make sure their surroundings stay even moist without becoming waterlogged or soggy; occasionally, misting if living in scorching and dry environments may help them further.
Rooting and growing new plants typically takes around one month from leaf cuttings. After that, transplant them into their pot; though the plant may droop temporarily after this step is taken, it will often recover shortly afterward.
