The Zanzibar Gem (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is a popular houseplant known for its resilience and tolerance for neglect. Its ability to store water in large underground structures makes it easy to keep alive, and this hardiness extends directly to its propagation. Creating new ZZ Plants is a simple process, though it requires patience due to the plant’s slow growth rate. Propagation can be achieved using several methods, depending on the desired speed and the material available from the parent plant.
Propagation Using Individual Leaves
The most common method involves using small, individual leaflets, which is also the slowest way to create a new plant. Select healthy, mature leaflets and carefully detach them close to the main stalk to include a tiny piece of the petiole. This small stem portion concentrates the plant’s energy for root development.
After separation, the leaves must be left on a dry, shaded surface for a few hours or overnight to allow the cut end to form a protective callus. This callousing prevents the cutting from rotting once it is placed in a moist medium. The calloused leaves are then inserted into a pot filled with well-draining soil, such as a cactus mix, with the base securely anchored.
The timeline for leaf propagation requires significant patience. It can take three to six months for a small, potato-like rhizome to form at the base of the planted leaf. Only after this underground storage organ develops will the plant produce a new shoot, which can take an additional few months.
Propagation Using Stem Cuttings
Propagating a ZZ Plant using a section of the main stalk (petiole) is generally faster than using individual leaves because the larger cutting contains more stored energy. Use a clean, sharp knife to cut a segment of the stalk approximately two to four inches long, ensuring a few leaves remain at the top. Remove any leaves that would be buried in the soil to prevent rotting.
The cut end of the stem segment must be allowed to dry and callus over for several hours before planting. The cutting can be rooted in either water or soil. Water propagation allows you to easily monitor root growth; if using water, change it weekly to keep it fresh and oxygenated. Roots may appear within a few weeks.
Rooting the cutting directly in well-draining soil avoids the shock of transplanting from water later. Regardless of the medium, once a substantial rhizome and a few roots have formed—which typically takes a few months—the cutting should be planted in soil. Using this larger piece of material accelerates the establishment of a new plant compared to leaf cuttings.
Dividing the Rhizome Structure
The most immediate method for creating new, established ZZ Plants is through the division of the underground rhizomes. This process requires carefully removing the entire parent plant from its pot, which may be challenging if the plant is root-bound. Gently loosen and brush away the soil to expose the clump of rhizomes.
The goal is to gently separate the root ball into smaller clumps, following natural division points when possible. Each new section must contain at least one healthy rhizome, a network of roots, and one or more attached leaf stalks to ensure immediate survival. If the clump is too dense, a sterilized knife can be used to cleanly cut through the root mass and rhizomes.
Each new division can be immediately potted into its own container with well-draining soil at the same depth it was previously growing. This method yields an instant, mature-looking plant that already has an established root system, bypassing the long rooting and rhizome formation periods required by cuttings. This technique is often performed when the parent plant has outgrown its current pot.
Essential Care During Rooting
No matter which method of propagation you choose, the newly planted or submerged ZZ Plant parts require specific environmental conditions to encourage rooting and prevent rot. All propagating material should be placed in a location that receives bright, indirect light, as this provides the energy needed for growth without risking leaf scorching from direct sun. A stable, warm temperature, ideally between 65°F and 90°F, is also beneficial for faster development.
The most critical factor is the watering schedule, as overwatering is the primary cause of failure during propagation. For cuttings planted in soil, you must allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings to prevent the development of fungal diseases or rot on the cut surfaces. When rooting in water, the container must be kept clean, and the water should be changed weekly to maintain oxygen levels. A patient approach is necessary, as the entire process from cutting to new shoot can span many months.