1) They mean the leaflets (blades), though allegedly one can also use the whole leaf (stalk).

2) The precise method, whether you root in water or soil or callous or don't, isn't an especially big deal, though if you're an impatient person who is likely to want to know how things are progressing often, water might be better, since pulling the leaflet out of the soil to check for roots is likely to damage whatever roots there are. I do not know whether water works at the same speed or not.

3) Even if you're a patient person, you're going to want to pull the leaflet out of the soil at some point. It is a sloooooooooooooooooooooooooow process. I started a batch (in soil) in December, and another batch in February, and neither set has grown any new leaves at all, nine (or seven) months later. Of course, I haven't been able to get the parent plant to do anything since December either, so it may not be fair to blame the leaflets.

Oh no, Mr. Subjunctive, you have a lazy ZZ (try saying that fast 3 times)! Since there are at least 16 good leaflets on there, maybe I'll try a half in water and half in soil. Thanks for the explanation and the tip.

I'm starting to get the hang of the plant propagation patience. I started rooting my first Sans cuttings in May. I have them under grow lights and every once in a while I give them a drink. Just last week I gave them a gentle tug to see if anything was happening. Only half took, and when I accidentally pulled one out, all there were were the tiniest filaments of roots. *Whine* Why can't all plants be like my Love Leaf? I put a leaf on moist soil this past weekend, and I can already see the babies starting.

Hi Elfinn,

That's why it's bad to tug on the plant (even if gently) to see if it's rooted. It breaks those tiny little roots that we are trying to encourage it to grow in the first place.

(I'll keep repeating this but), the best, surest & safest way to know if your plant has rooted is to wait to see new growth on top.

I've grown ZZs from leaves several times. Just using the actual leaf, which one puts down in mix & then leaves in bright, indirect light. I give it a small drink of water every other month or so. I've also grown them from an entire shoot, including the fat, bulbous bottom stem of the shoot.

Pls. be forwarned, this has taken over a year the 3 times I've done it. Also, pls. note that even if the leaf (above the mix) shrivels, dries & appears dead, do not pull it out, because it likely has already started growing the tuber below the soil mix where one can't see it.

I root many things in water (Hoyas, Episcias, Begonias, Polycias), but not succulents nor ZZ plants; they're too likely to rot in water (I know some folks do it, but in my experience they've rotted in water).

This is not an exercise for the impatient.

Hi Pirate Girl,
Thanks for the info. Yah, I know better than to tug on my rooting plants, I have no excuse. I put the leaflets in a 50/50 soiless seed starter and perlite mix in starter cells under my grow lights. I'm assuming that like the snake plants, the ZZ leaves don't need to be covered?

Sure, you're welcome. No, I wouldn't cover them.

I also would NOT put them under lights. Neither of these are high-light plants. They both do well & maybe best under bright light, but not direct. I grow both of these from single leaves & they have never needed artificial light &/or bottom heat. They simply don't need it & I think it's a bit of overkill.

Out in the wild the Sans. might get bright light, but I doubt the ZZ would.

My personal belief is that starting these under lights, sets them up for unnatural conditions that they will NOT have as they age & will therefore not do so well.

Hi Pirate Girl,
Thanks again for the info. Hehehe I neglected to say that my "grow lights" are 2 20-watt el cheapo undercabinet plant lights that are 2-2 1/2 feet away from the plants. I just use them for propagating in an otherwise unusable (for plants) corner. Is that still too much light? The Sans and Pothos cuttings seem to like it okay.

I don't know 'cause I've never used lights. I'd say sounds good so far, see how it goes, if the plants start yellowing or bleaching out, then I'd move them out from under the lights.

What is a "love leaf"? Pics?
I have 2 ZZ plants and I just water them every so often since they like drout is what I have learned. I have plants all over my house and never really thought of starting new ones except the really easy ones like the pothos etc...
Look forward to learning LOTS from all of you...

Hi Luvplants,
Question, why does it say elfinn in the Zone spot of your ID? LOL, maybe it's just my messed up computer. To answer your question, it goes by many names...if you click on the link below, there are photos and more detailed info about the plant (mine's kinda leggy). If you Google some more of the synonyms (especially Cathedral Bells), you should be able to find some great photos of plants in bloom.

Here is a link that might be useful: Love Leaf