You’ve grown your ZZ plant successfully, and you want to have new babies to add to your houseplants now. Care and maintenance of this houseplant are pretty straightforward, and you probably wonder if it’s the same in terms of propagation. The answer is YES! ZZ plant is easy to propagate.
There are two methods you could explore — Division and Stem Cuttings. Here’s how you can propagate ZZ Plants.
Division
Once you uproot a mature ZZ plant, you’ll see several rhizomes. You can divide the plant containing rhizomes, which is called clump division. Here’s the step-by-step process:
- Refrain from watering your ZZ plant two weeks before the intended time to propagate.
- Carefully unpot your ZZ and remove the surrounding soil to expose the root system.
- Separate the rhizomes, then decide which parts to cut. Each stem or clump you wish to divide should have a rhizome and roots attached to it.
- Divide the rhizome using a clean, sterilized blade or knife. You should be careful not to injure the cut portion heavily.
- After division, plant each clump into separate pots using a well-draining potting mix. Water it well before letting it sit in a location with medium light.
Leaf Cuttings
In this method, you’ll use the leaves of your ZZ plant and let them develop their roots.
- Choose a healthy stem that has several leaves on it. Make sure they’re healthy and vigorous.
- Detach the leaves one by one. Set them aside to allow them to be callous for a few hours.
- Set up a tray, then fill it with a well-draining potting mix. You can blend half part of potting soil and perlite. Moisten it with water.
- Insert the leaves halfway into the soil with the base facing down and about 2 inches apart. Cover the tray with plastic to conserve moisture.
- Water the soil well and keep the tray in a warm and bright place.
Once the roots develop and new shoots rise at the base, the leaves will eventually wilt and die.
When’s the Best Time to Propagate
Like most plant species, early spring or summer is the best time to propagate. During these times, growth is very active, making it easier for your plant to recover and produce new growth.
