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ZZ leaf propagation ?’s

8 years ago
I was given a ZZ plant from a family member. It was overwatered and yellowing so I cut back what was dying and let it dry out. It’s stable now but overgrown and awkward. I would like to start some leaf cuttings but have a few questions.

What type of mix should I start them in? Will 5-1-1 be fine?

How often do I need to water? I know ZZ likes to be on the dry side. Do the cutting need to be a bit more moist to grow roots?

Do I need to wait till summer? I’ve read that I don’t with this particular plant being as hardy as it is.

I plan on keeping them in fairly bright indirect light. No direct light.

Any advice appreciated.

Comments (15)

  • 8 years ago
    Also, I plan on doing stem cuttings off of the three stems I didn’t have to cut back. My plan is to cut leaving 2 nodes and root in 5-1-1. My fingers show where I plan on cutting.
  • 8 years ago

    I'm not sure why you would cut the stem, it's not going to branch there, I would just grow it well and wait for offsets if you want to propagate

  • 8 years ago
    I’m not trying to get it to branch. I’m trying to propagate. I would be rooting the cutting.
  • 8 years ago

    well, it's really going to alter the look of the overall plant if you cut off all the growing tips, maybe just take one stalk and cut it into several pieces

  • 8 years ago

    I want to try leaf propagation as well. I noticed that the small plants being sold at a local nursery were all a result of leaf propagation as the leaves were still in the soil next to the new stalk. There are a bunch of youtube videos on leaf propagation. I am planning to watch some of those and try a couple different methods.

    If you have success, come back and let us know!

  • 8 years ago

    I don’t think the rachis will root if you cut them. Someone help me & chime in if I’m right.

  • 8 years ago
    Andrea - I get what your saying but I’m not concerned with the look of the current plant. I already don’t care for it aesthetically. I’m trying to use it as a mother plant for propagation purposes.

    Popmoma - good tip on watching videos. I usually do a lot of reading but don’t bother with videos. I watched one today that suggested putting a plastic bag over the pot to raise the humidity. I think I’ll try that. It seems like I will need to keep the potting mix a bit more moist also.
  • 8 years ago
    Ariel - from my research I’ve found that a stem cutting should root more effectively than a leaf cutting. I can’t cite my source on that but it’s in my notes.
  • 8 years ago
    I may try this along with leaf cuttings
  • 8 years ago

    Hi Austin,

    Doubt that cutting the way you're suggesting (across the branch midway) will work.

    These can be propagated by potting up the whole branch, or by single, individual leaves, which takes a VERY long time, sometimes up to a year.

    They can also be started by placing the bottom of a leaf in water, where it'll grow both a tuber & some roots.

    I've done all of these, work well, tenting is unnecessary & will likely cause rot. What's really required to grow these is a lot of time & patience.

    They seem to have growth spurts in Feb. & Sept, mine started new shoots in end of August, like clockwork.

    I just saw a great video showing 5 different ways to prop these. It's in Portuguese, which I happen to speak, but one can see from the pix exactly what's being done, since there's no narration, just music.

    These do fine in mix of 1/2 C&S mix & 1/2 Perlite or Pumice; they don't want frequent watering, as they are succulents, not even to root. Once rooted, I'd suggest 7-10 day watering schedule to start.


  • 8 years ago
    The video I posted shows propagating by stem cutting. I’ll give both a try and see how it goes. I was worried about rot with tenting also.
  • 8 years ago

    Austin, the process shown on the video is exactly what I was suggesting

  • 8 years ago
    I took cuttings today. I’ll probably post if anything takes. I tried several methods so I’ll go over what I did in a follow up post. Sounds like it’ll be in about a year haha.
  • 8 years ago

    It won't take a year! Nowhere near it! I have rooted a stem that got accidentally broken off on two different occasions, and they rooted as fast as any other plant I've rooted. IN WATER. I don't have the best track record for rooting cuttings, but the ZZ plant stems were growing roots within a couple of weeks. I waited until the roots were a little longer than an inch (maybe an inch and a half, or close to that) and then planted them next to the mother plant, and they both took with no fuss at all! Humidity, for this plant, is not an issue. I live in the desert, where our humidity is often in the single digits, and my two ZZ's are very happy, and growing fast. I don't water them often, as had been suggested. Maybe once every 3-4 weeks, and they are in 6 inch pots. Hope this helps.