The 3 Ways to Propagate ZZ Plants Step-by-Step
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Each has a benefit like stem cuttings sprouting new roots and getting a new plant to grow faster, or leaf cuttings letting you grow more plants at a time, but they take longer to produce root systems and begin growing. The most important step with these first two techniques is the callus as this helps protect the new plants from getting root rot.
Root ball division is the fastest and easiest way to propagate a ZZ plant, but you’re limited to needing a mature plant and can only get as many new plants as the size of the root and plants you divide. Here’s how to do each of these three techniques and when they may make more sense.
Fun fact: The ZZ Plant was first identified in 1829 by Loddiges, but didn’t become popular until the early 1990s when the Dutch began propagating it in African nurseries. Then in 1996 it took off worldwide as people fell in love with the rich dark foliage and ease of care making it become one of the most popular houseplants to buy.
Table of Contents
Stem Cuttings
While stem cuttings are the fastest way to propagate a ZZ plant, you’re limited to the amount of stems your plant has growing, so it’ll need to be at least a few years old.
You will need:
- 1 pair of sharp gardening shears
- One glass of water or a pot with well draining potting mix per 1 to 2 stems
- 3” to 4” pots for each individual plant
The steps to propagate are:
Cut the stem of the ZZ plant at the base or soil line
Trim the bottom leaves off of the plant
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Now you’ll want to form roots either in water or well draining potting mix
For water propagation, place the bottoms of the cuttings into the glass of water making sure the space where you trimmed the leaves are fully submerged and check it every 3 or 4 days making sure the water is still fresh.
For soil propagation, place the stems in a warm space so the cut areas form a callous and place the calloused parts in the potting mix.
Place the pots or glasses of water near a window but not directly in the sunlight as ZZ plants thrive in bright but indirect sunlight.
Once roots have sprouted about 1 to 2 inches long, transfer your newly propagated ZZ plants to the 3” or 4” pots with a well draining potting mix.
Leaf Cuttings
To get the most ZZ plants off of a single propagation, leaf cuttings are the way to go. Instead of trimming multiple stems you’ll be cutting the leaves off of a single stem and include the connecting branch from the stem.
You will need:
1 pair of sharp gardening shears
One deep roasting pan or a wide plant pot with a well draining potting mix.
3” to 4” pots for each individual plant
The steps to propagate are:
Trim as many leaves as you’ll want to grow into plants keeping the connecting branch from the stem intact.
Place these leaf cuttings in a warm area so the cut portion callouses over.
Once the callous has formed, place the leaf cuttings into the well draining potting mix in the roasting pan or wide pot so it can form roots. This process can take a few weeks to a few months, so patience is key.
While you’re waiting for roots to form, the leaf cuttings should be set in a room near a window but without direct sunlight so they can get bright but indirect sunlight.
Once the roots are 1” to 2”, plant each in the 3” or 4” pots and enjoy your new ZZ plants.
Root Ball Division
This is the easiest and fastest propagation technique for ZZ plants, but it also produces the least amount of plants and takes the longest time to replicate as the plant will need to be mature.
You will need:
1 mature ZZ plant that has a large rhizome (root) grouping
1 pot for each new ZZ plant
Well draining potting mix
The steps to propagate are:
Remove the ZZ plant from its pot
Carefully separate the rhizomes by pulling them or cutting them apart making sure each stem has a strong rhizome attached.
Plant each separated ZZ plant in well draining potting mix.
ZZ plant propagation is as simple as splitting rhizomes (root ball division), or taking stem and leaf cuttings. Just make sure you have a well draining potting mix like our dirt bag as too much water can kill the new plants or cause diseases like root rot. Now you’re ready to sprout new ZZ plants at home to build your collection or give them as gifts.
