The Zamioculcas zamiifolia, commonly known as the ZZ plant, is a resilient houseplant celebrated for its glossy, dark green foliage and tolerance for varied indoor conditions. For those looking to expand their collection, propagating a ZZ plant in water is entirely possible and offers a clear view of the rooting process. While propagation is generally slow, using water is a common technique for generating new growth from either stem or leaf cuttings.
Preparing and Submerging Cuttings
Successful water propagation begins with taking a clean cutting from the parent plant, which can be either a full leaf stalk (petiole) or a single leaflet. When taking a stem cutting, select a healthy stalk and use a clean, sharp blade to make a straight cut near the base of the plant. If opting for the leaf method, remove a healthy leaflet, ensuring you keep a tiny piece of the petiole attached to the base.
Regardless of the cutting type, the most important preliminary step is allowing the cut surface to dry completely for several hours, or even up to a full day. This process, known as callousing, forms a protective, scab-like layer over the wound, which significantly reduces the chance of the cutting absorbing too much water and rotting. Once the cut end is dry, place the cutting into a clear glass vessel filled with clean water, ensuring only the bottom tip is submerged.
A clear container is beneficial because it allows you to easily monitor the subterranean changes, including the first signs of root development or any potential decay. Position the vessel in a location that receives bright, indirect light, as this energy is necessary to stimulate the growth hormones that trigger root formation. Maintaining a stable, warm temperature is also beneficial, as this encourages the plant’s metabolic processes to function optimally.
Monitoring Root and Rhizome Development
The process of a ZZ plant cutting developing roots in water requires patience, as it is a notoriously slow grower. Root emergence can take anywhere from a few weeks for a stem cutting to a couple of months, with leaf cuttings often requiring an even longer period. The first visible sign of success will be small, white root filaments emerging from the calloused end of the cutting.
The formation of the rhizome is a more important milestone than the roots themselves; this is the potato-like, water-storing tuber from which new shoots will eventually grow. You should continue to keep the cutting in water until a noticeable rhizome has begun to form alongside the established roots. Throughout this process, maintaining water quality is necessary to prevent bacterial or fungal growth.
Change the water completely every one to two weeks to ensure it remains fresh and oxygenated, which supports healthy root development. It is important to watch for signs of failure, such as the submerged portion of the cutting turning soft, slimy, or black, which indicates rot. Should this occur, you may attempt to salvage the cutting by trimming away the decayed portion, allowing it to re-callous, and placing it in fresh water.
Transitioning to Soil
The water-rooted cutting is ready for its permanent home when a prominent rhizome has formed and the new roots are at least an inch long. This established root system provides the necessary foundation for the plant to begin absorbing nutrients from the soil. The change from an aquatic environment to a soil environment can be a shock, so the transition must be handled with care.
Select a small pot with excellent drainage and fill it with a well-draining potting medium, such as a specialized succulent or cactus mix. This type of soil blend prevents water from lingering around the newly formed roots, which are accustomed to being fully submerged. Gently transplant the cutting into the soil, being careful not to damage the tender, water-grown roots during the process.
For the first few weeks after transplanting, the soil should be kept slightly more moist than you would maintain for an established ZZ plant. This temporary increase in moisture helps the water-adapted roots adjust to drawing water from a solid medium. Gradually reduce the watering frequency as the cutting acclimates to its new environment, transitioning to the typical care schedule of a mature ZZ plant.