Propagation of ZZ plants

17 years ago

I've never tried to grow new ZZs before. In fact, I've barely ever tried to grow ZZs -- I have one, but only for a month or so. Nevertheless, I'm taken with it enough that I want more, so yesterday I cut off a few of the lower leaves, let them callus for a few hours, and then planted them in a damp sphagnum / perlite / soil mix.

So what now? Has anyone who's done this already answer a few questions for me? Like,

1) Does it *really* take a whole year for them to root and develop?

2) Will humidity help (like if I cover them with a vented plastic cup or something), or just lead to rot?

3) How wet does the soil need to be while they're rooting?

4) How much light should I be giving them?

I *have* looked on-line for general growing information about this, and I've found some, but I was interested in getting direct personal experiences from people who have tried it themselves.

Comments (5)

pirate_girl
17 years ago
Hi Mr. S,

I have grown them from leaves myself, don't have the time to discuss at length here (again) so pls. do a search here at Houseplants for "growing ZZ plants from leaves". You can look for my comments or others as well, tho' I've done this a number of times already myself.

As to yr. Questions:

1. Yes, a whole yr. sometimes more;
2. Humidity (cover) not needed or suggested, MAY lead to rot;
3. Not very wet while rooting, infrequent watering at best;
4. Light = bright, indirect has worked for me. Suggest no direct sun at all.

Should you do this again, I'd skip the sphagnum altogether, it may stay too wet & lead to rot.

CAUTION: the leaves may wither, dry & look dead after a time. PLS do not yank or toss, thinking they're dead, likely the tuber is actively growing under the mix where one can't see it. Surest sign of rooting is when one (finally) sees new growth break the surface. Good luck & enjoy, it's a slow, but fun & rewarding endeavor.
lalibellule
17 years ago
I was actually wondering about this, too, and read some posts/sites last night. See, there are a bunch of ZZ plants around the mall, and I'm sure they have accidents sometimes, with running children, you know, or my fingers... O:)
I was initally going to ask whether I could just put the leaf in the closet for a year and not worry about it, but I guess it needs some light. Darn.
So here are my remaining questions:
One site said it's better to break than cut the leaf. I think I am supposed to break it in half, yes? Am I to break it straight across, or down the central vein? And then I plant the broken side? Or am I wanting to just stick petiole in dirt?
And that brings us to the next question. What is everyone's favorite ZZ rooting medium? Perlite-soil? Straight perlite? Something that I would have to go and purchase?

- Lali, who so far only has one plant (well, fifteen, but all from the same fruit) propegated from stolen material, and does not think the elephants at the zoo minded her taking that poncirus
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Yes, exactly, they're called tubers. Once one pots them up in mix & they grow bigger & darken a bit, they resemble small potatoes. They look great as do your pix. Now pls put them into your mix, which I'd amend w/ Perlite (as much as 50%), put them back where they were, don't water very often & forget about them for a while.
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mr_subjunctive
Original Author
17 years ago
Works for me. Thank you, pirate girl. Much obliged.
pirate_girl
17 years ago
Mr. S,

You're most welcome, happy to help when I can! If we're both still around here in 1 yr. pls. report back on results. FYI: they often put on a REALLY big growth spurt in Sept. 1st time it happened to me, the 1st shoot surfaced & grew a 14" stem before it unfurled its leaves, was pretty darn cool!

Lalib,

You could also do the search I suggested for this info. I never heard this "break" vs. cut business, unless they mean abt taking the leaf off the parent plant's stem, break it off, don't cut it (nothing abt in 1/2 or down the vein), just pluck the leaf off the stem & stick it far down into the mix w/ the petiole down in the mix. I'd suggest HP mix w/ abt 50% perlite, nothing too fancy.

PS: some of us here aren't great fans of folks stealing plant materials; not the ideal forum to brag abt that. Also, my own experience is 8 out of 10 times if one asks for a cutting or to buy a piece, plant lovers are happy to share, for free, just for the courtesy of having asked.
lalibellule
17 years ago
Sorry, was just kidding about the pilfering. I was just thinking that next time I'm at the mall (and I have not bought Christmas presents yet, so you know what that means) I could check the pots for any leaves that got knocked off. There's one right by the kids' play place that looked like it had had the occasional rough time. (And the poncirus fruits were just lying all over the ground as well.)

Not sure where I read that about breaking in half (it wasn't on GW), but perhaps they were just crazy, or perhaps I was (or just misread). HP + perlite sounds good. Thanks!