Discover the different ways to propagate a ZZ Plant and learn how convenient it is to have this hardy beauty at home!
Propagating a ZZ plant is easy, and all it requires is a well-aerated medium. If you are looking for the many ways to propagate a zz plant, we have listed the best options below!
Ways to Propagate ZZ Plant
1. Root it in Soil
There are two straightforward methods to propagate a ZZ plant in soil: using a stem cutting or a leaf cutting. Both methods follow similar steps.
First, snip a stem or leaf from the plant and allow it to form a callus. Prepare a new pot with well-draining, high-quality potting soil that’s been lightly moistened to promote healthy growth. After planting the cutting, place the pot in a spot with bright, indirect sunlight.
Water the soil thoroughly initially, allowing excess water to drain from the bottom of the pot. Moving forward, only water the plant when the top inch of soil has dried out. During the growing season, about three months after planting, check for a developed root system and new rhizomes—this is the ideal time to repot your new ZZ plant to encourage continued growth.
2. Propagate the Cuttings in Water
Propagating a ZZ plant in water is quite similar to soil propagation but with a few tweaks. Start by using sterile pruning shears to cut a stalk near the base of the plant, making sure it has a few leaves. For leaf cuttings, snip close to the petiole—the stalk connecting the leaf to the stem. It’s a good idea to take several leaf cuttings to increase your chances of success.
Once you have your cuttings, allow them to callus over. Next, place them in a glass jar filled with water just enough to cover the cut ends. Position the jar in a spot with bright, indirect light and remember to change the water weekly. With patience, you’ll see rhizomes and new roots forming. At this stage, the cuttings are ready to be transferred to the soil if desired.
3. Root the Leaf Petiole in Water
Rooting a leaf petiole in water is a fun and easy way to propagate new plants!
Simply take a healthy leaf with some petiole attached, allow it to callus over for a few days, and then submerge the cut end in a glass of water. Place it in a bright spot and change the water regularly to keep it fresh.
In just a few weeks, you’ll see roots begin to sprout, signaling it’s time to move your burgeoning plant into soil.
4. Root the Leaves in Cocopeat
Cocopeat is an excellent choice for propagating ZZ plants for many reasons. It retains moisture yet avoids becoming waterlogged, perfectly balancing moisture and aeration with its fine, crumbly texture. This balance greatly reduces the risk of root rot and promotes consistent, healthy growth.
Propagation steps are similar to those using traditional potting soil. Once your leaf or stem cuttings have callused, plant them in a mix of cocopeat and a bit of potting soil. This combination ensures optimal drainage and aeration, creating the perfect environment for your ZZ plant to thrive.
5. Try Sphagnum Moss
While sphagnum moss is quite airy and would ensure that your ZZ plant roots are aerated, it is not very good at holding moisture. This is why you must combine your sphagnum moss with perlite or vermiculite in a ratio of 3:2 to ensure that your stem-cutting or leaf-cutting photosynthesis grows well, with a new root system forming.
The light requirement is, of course, bright, indirect sunlight, and you must also ensure that the container you propagate your ZZ in has pre-moistened but not wet moss. Keep checking the plant cutting every day to ensure healthy growth.
6. Get the Perlite, Vermiculite & Garden Soil Trio
While ZZ plants are relatively low-maintenance, you must ensure that you propagate them in a soil mixture that is not only well-draining but also aerates the roots. To ensure that you can propagate your ZZ and keep it growing in the same medium, use a mixture of perlite, vermiculite, and potting soil.
Fill a container with potting mix and press down gently to secure your cutting. Moisten the soil and do not water again until the top couple of inches of the soil is dry, ensuring that excess water always drains out. In addition to the soil conditions, ensure that your newly propagated ZZ plant gets the right amount of sunlight.
6. Grow the Plant in Sand
To provide the necessary aeration and moisture balance to your ZZ plant cutting, mix in perlite, sand, and peat moss in equal parts to create a medium that provides adequate drainage and also prevents waterlogging. This is important so that your new plant does not get root rot.
Keep the prepared soil slightly moist but not wet. Since ZZ plant stem cuttings root best in warm and humid conditions, you should keep it in an area where the temperature is around 70-80°F (21-27°C), and the humidity level is around 50-60%.
7. Try Growing in Leca
When you use LECA balls to propagate your ZZ plant, you should pre-soak them in nutrient water to hydrate them first. When you switch the balls to a container in which you will grow them, ensure that the water is just enough to soak the roots of the plant or cutting.
Monitor your plant cutting, especially in the first month of planting it in LECA, with enough water to soak the end of the plant. You need to ensure that your plant is adjusting well. Once you see that the plant has developed roots, it means that it is growing well.
At this time, ensure that the water level is just up to the roots, as too much can cause root rot. What you can also do as a safety measure is propagate your cutting in water before shifting to Leca to give it more chances of adjusting. Just remember to flush out the leca monthly and top up with nutrient water, and you will be good to go!
8. Try Orbeez Balls
Last but not least, this is perhaps the most creative way to propagate your ZZ plants.
To use Orbeez as a medium to propagate ZZ, first pre-soak them in water. Fill a glass container with Orbeez and just enough water to submerge the cut end of your leaf cutting.
Using a glass container not only allows you to monitor the growth of your plant but also makes for an amazing display! Remember to propagate it in a location with bright, indirect sunlight, as this is when it will be actively growing and developing a root system.
