Propagating ZZ Plant in Water and Soil (Cutting and Division)

Nov 09, 2022

ZZ plant is a beautiful, low-maintenance houseplant that is perfect for anyone looking to add a bit of greenery to their home. It is a popular houseplant due to its easy care requirements and ability to tolerate low light levels. ZZ plants can be propagated by division or by stem cuttings.

When propagating by division, it is best to do so during the spring or summer months when the plant is actively growing. If you are propagating by stem cuttings, you can do so at any time of year.

This article will provide you with a step-by-step guide on propagating ZZ plant. Propagating the ZZ plant is a very simple process that can be done in just a few steps.

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The Best Way to Propagate ZZ Plants

You can propagate a ZZ plant in several ways, including stem cuttings, leaf cuttings, and root divisions. Cuttings from the stem will not grow a baby plant as easily as other plants.

Let's discuss the steps involved in zamioculcas propagation one by one.

How To Propagate A ZZ Plant From Leaf Cuttings.

Today, we will discuss propagating a ZZ plant from leaf cuttings. This relatively easy process can be done with just a few materials.

Here's what you'll need to propagate your ZZ plant from leaf cuttings.

ZZ plant leaves
A sharp knife or garden shears
Potting mix
Pots or containers
Water

First, begin with the ZZ plant cutting a few healthy leaves. Make sure to cut them near the base of the leaf, as this will give you the longest cutting. Next, lay the leaves flat on the cutting board and cut them into 1-2 inch pieces. Once the leaves are cut, it's time to start the propagation process.

Propagate ZZ plant Leaves in water (Leaf Cuttings)

ZZ plant leaves can be propagated in water in several different ways depending on the type of plant. Alternatively, one way to make the leaves more effective is to place them into water (a shot glass would be handy for this!) and to let them do what they want.

Propagate ZZ plant in water (Leaf Cuttings)

You can also encourage new growth by making a clean cut along the bottom of each leaf, snipping off the bottom quarter, and making a clean cut across the bottom.

Fill a clean container with water and place the leaf pieces in the water. Make sure that the leaves are fully submerged and that there are no air bubbles.

The great thing about the water method is that you can see the roots growing easily, regardless of whether you use leaves or stems.

ZZ plant propagation from leaf In Soil

ZZ plants are known for their resilience and ease of care, and they can even be propagated from leaf cuttings propagate a ZZ plant from leaf cuttings in soil, so you can enjoy this beautiful plant in your home for years to come.

First, you'll need to gather some supplies. You'll need a sharp knife, a pot or container filled with moistened potting mix, and a ZZ plant leaf. Once you have your supplies, follow these steps:

Here are the steps to propagate a Zanzibar Gem propagation from leaf cuttings in soil.

Cut a leaf from the ZZ plant at the base of the stem.
Cut a leaf from the plant, including a section of the stem.
Cut the leaf into 1-2 inch pieces, ensuring each piece has a section of stem attached.
Place the leaf-cutting in a pot of sterile, well-draining potting mix.
Water the potting mix well and wait for the cutting to root.
Once the cutting has rooted, you can transplant it into a larger pot.

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How To Propagate A ZZ Plant From Stem Cuttings

Making a new ZZ plant is easy and doesn't require much. Firstly you will need to take a sterilized knife or scissors, take a stem from the plant, and cut it off with the knife or scissors. Ensure that the cutting has a minimum length of two inches and healthy leaves near the top.

The best way to prevent the cut ends from falling over is to lay the stem cuttings somewhere warm for a short period after taking them so that they can become callused over.

There are two options for soiling and watering the stem cuttings once they are ready. It is easy to do both of these things. It is simpler to use the water method since you need to do less work, and the houseplant cuttings looking pretty in a vase are a nice way to decorate with plants.

Propagating ZZ plant stem in water

It is as simple as placing the stem cuttings you just took into a container or glass of water that is going to be used for this method. Just enough water is enough to cover the cut ends: it does not need to be a lot.

It is recommended that the water in the container be changed once or twice a week. Keep the container in a warm, light place. The period it takes for new roots to grow varies from one plant to another, but if you anticipate some delay, be patient.

Within a week or two, the plant will show signs of movement, but it may take two months or more for the roots to grow enough even to start thinking about repotting.

Stem Cuttings In Soil

It is important to cut a stem into one or more pieces, just as you would when using the stem cuttings in the water method. It is recommended to leave stem cuttings to heal for some time before proceeding with any further steps.

The cuttings should be placed in loose, well-draining soil once they have become calloused before planting. Combining normal potting soil with a little perlite and orchid bark is important if you plant houseplants like this one with succulent-like properties.

Upon planting the cuttings, ensure you water them generously once they have been planted.

There is also a time requirement for this method as well.

You will have to wait a while before any leaves appear on your cuttings because they will be working on their root systems before they start putting out new growth above ground.

How to propagate a ZZ plant from division

Propagating ZZ plants by division is the fastest and easiest method. However, it does mean that the plant needs to be mature and have multiple stems.

ZZ plants propagate through division because they're clustering rhizome plants. It is time to take it apart if you see new stems emerging from the soil next to the mother plant.

Easily separate the plants by removing them from their containers, loosening the soil, and separating them into multiples. The sections should have a good density of leaves and roots, so make sure to plant them in fresh soil after each section is prepared.

Of course, the best part about these new plants is that they have already established themselves well in their environment. Even though they may sulk for a little while, they should continue to grow normally as they will keep them successful.

Through Division

The most reliable way to propagate ZZ Plants is by dividing them. The ZZ Plants should be ready for division when they are around two years of age or older.

It is important to ensure that the plant is big and healthy before beginning the process, as it can take a while to recover. Divide the plant using gentle force by taking it out of its container.

To get a closer look at the plant's rhizome, you will need to remove some of the soil around the base. You will have to determine if there is an area where the plant can be cut evenly to ensure that each section has enough roots and stems from being able to survive on its own.

To propagate a ZZ plant, start by carefully removing the plant from its pot. Gently loosen the roots and divide the root ball into 2-3 sections. Each section should have a few healthy leaves.

Plant the sections in individual pots, using fresh potting mix and water well. Place the pots in a warm, bright location and allow the plants to adjust to their new homes for a few weeks before fertilizing.

Conclusion

ZZ plant propagation is an easy process that will help grow more ZZ plants around the house. The sooner you propagate the ZZ plant, the more options you will have of where to put them in your home.

ZZ plants are easy to propagate. Once your new plant starts, it's important to ensure that it's potted in the right type of soil and that its light and watering needs are met. Once done, your plant will eventually grow large enough to propagate itself. Read More about watering ZZ Plant.

FAQs

What is the best way to propagate a ZZ plant?

The cutting can be planted directly in the pot by poking a few holes with your finger. If you have trimmed the cuttings previously, you can plant several cuttings in the same pot.

Set the pot in a bright place with lots of indirect light. Press around the cutting to anchor it in place. Water the soil until new growth appears, but do not overwet it.

Is it better to propagate the ZZ plant in water or soil?

If time isn't an issue and you have dirt available, we recommend propagating the ZZ plant in soil. We give instructions above on how to do that. Alternatively, if you want to take propagation a step further, you could make cuttings from the ZZ plant and grow them in water.