Zamioculcas zamiifolia, more commonly called ZZ, is a gorgeous houseplant found in many plant lovers’ homes. And for a good reason. Not only does the plant look majestic with its waxy, deep-green oval-shaped leaves, but it is also surprisingly low maintenance. That makes it a perfect companion for beginner plant owners too.

How to propagate ZZ plant from stem cuttings?

Using stem cuttings is a beginner-friendly method for plant propagation and works great for growing ZZ plants. All you need is a mother plant and some patience.

1. Sterilize a sharp knife or a pair of scissors or clippers that you will use to cut off a stem from your ZZ plant. The cutting should be at least 2 inches (around 5 cm) long with some healthy leaves on the stem.
2. (Optional). Leave the cuttings in a warm place for a few hours up to a few days. This gives the cutting a chance to develop a layer of callus over the cuts, decreasing the risk of rot.

Always pick out mature and healthy stems to use for cuttings. Mature stems are usually dark green in color, while new growth is a lighter shade of green.

Stem cuttings in water

Once you have your cuttings, the mission is for them to grow roots. The easiest way to accomplish that is to put the cutting in water – while it takes time, it requires minimum effort. And the stems in a pretty vase or glass jar make great decor on your office corner or coffee table!

1. Get your glass or jar and pour some water in – a few inches of water is enough. Only the cut ends of the cuttings need to be in the water.
2. Maintenance: Change the water regularly – we recommend doing it at least once a week. Keep your cuttings in a warm and sunny spot to encourage faster root development.
3. Wait for the cuttings to grow rhizomes and roots before planting.

It usually takes months for the cuttings to grow big enough roots ready to be planted. So, be patient!

Stem cuttings in soil

Stem cuttings can also grow a root system and rhizomes while in soil.

1. Get a pot and fill it with a well-draining and loose potting mix – this is important to prevent the cuttings from rotting. We generally use perlite mixed with coconut coir.
2. Give the soil a good watering – the soil should be moist but not soggy.
3. Plant your cuttings in the soil.
4. Replant once the cuttings have developed at least an inch of a root.

How to propagate ZZ plant from leaf cuttings?

Using the leaves of Zamioculcas Zamiifolia is another way to grow yourself a new houseplant. And like with stem cuttings, the process is pretty simple but takes time.

• Cut a healthy leaf from the mother plant – leave a short stem attached to the leaf.

And like with stem cuttings, leaf cuttings can be put into water or soil until they develop roots.

Leaf cuttings in water

Leaf cuttings from your ZZ plant require slightly more work than stem cuttings, at least when you want to keep them in water.

1. Get a small glass – shot glasses work great for this. This is crucial for keeping the leaf upright and prevent falling entirely into the water.
2. Fill the bottom of the glass with water. Only the short stem and the bottom of the leaf should be in the water.
3. It is important to consistently keep an eye on the cuttings and top up the water to keep it at the required level.
4. Pot the cuttings when it has grown roots and rhizomes.

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Leaf cuttings in soil

The same soil type we mentioned above for stem cuttings works for leaf cuttings. Ensuring that the soil is well draining is the key.

1. Fill your pot with your potting mixture.
2. Plant the leaf cuttings upright, leaving the stem and bottom of the leaf under the soil.
3. Water regularly, keep a moist environment, and wait for the roots to develop before replanting.

How to propagate a ZZ plant from division? 

The division is definitely the quickest way to propagate your ZZ plant. However, you do need a mature plant for this method.

1. Take the plant out of its pot and loosen the soil around the roots. A good tip is to avoid watering for a few days beforehand to make this process easier.
2. Once you see the root system and rhizomes, separate them into sections. You can do that either by pulling them apart or using a sharp knife to help. Each section should have plenty of roots and some stems.
3. Plant each section in a separate pot.

And it’s as simple as that. Division can be a bit messy, but it is certainly quick – there is no need to wait months to grow a new plant.

Frequently Asked Questions

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