If you’re like most gardeners, you’ve probably wondered if it’s even possible to propagate a Zamiopsis nodosa plant. The short answer is yes! ZZ plants are very easy to propagate and will lend themselves to a wide variety of growing situations. In this article, we’ll share with you the easiest way to propagate a ZZ plant so that you can start growing your cuttings right away.

What Is Zanzibar Gem?

ZZ plants are commonly referred to as the “Ponytail Palm” or “ Seagull’s Beak.” They are a member of the Cattleya or Najadaceae family and are native to the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, specifically the Zanzibar Archipelago. The ZZ plant is also known by a variety of other common names including “Monkey Pod,” “Sea Parrot,” and “Nodding Onion.”

These plants grow best in soils with a pH level between 5.5 and 6.5, though they can tolerate a wide range of conditions, including some pH levels below and above this range. In nature, the ZZ plant grows in coastal regions, often on rocky cliffs and outcrops, though they can also grow in sheltered areas such as within trees and mangrove swamps.

How to Propagate ZZ

There are various ways to propagate a ZZ plant, but the easiest and most foolproof is via cuttings. Though it might seem odd to use a cutting when you want to grow more of your plants, in this case, the cutting is the plant.

There are 3 easy steps to propagation via cuttings:

Select your Zanzibar gem plant. Prepare your cutting. Transplant your cutting.

Step 1 – Select Your ZZ plant

The easiest way to select a ZZ plant for propagation is to pick a healthy-looking specimen from a location where it grows naturally. You can also select a plant that is growing vigorously and has a good root system.

It’s important to note that ZZ plants do best when they are grown in bright, indirect light. However, they can also tolerate a certain amount of direct sun, though it’s important to select a plant that is well-adapted to your growing location.

When you have selected your plant, inspect its base to ensure that it has a good growth of roots. If the plant does not have a good root system, it’s best to select a different plant.

Step 2 – Prepare Your Cutting

Now that you have selected your plant and you know that it has a good root system, it’s time to prepare your cutting.

First, prepare your lower leaves by removing the lower two or three pairs of leaves from your plant. You will need these leaves for your cutting.

Using a sharp knife, carefully slice off a section of your plant that is approximately 1/4-inch thick. Use a sawing motion to ensure that you do not cut too much off, since you do not want to remove too much of the plant’s main stem.

Then, using a bowl or other container, place your ZZ cutting in so that it is inverted. This means that the top of the stem is toward the bottom of the bowl or container.

For the next step, you will need to place the container in which your cutting is sitting in a warm location. You can place the container in a sunny location, though it’s best to avoid direct sun.

To promote healing and ensure a successfully rooted cutting, sprinkle the cut end with a rooting hormone. This will speed up the rate at which your cutting heals, which will help ensure that it has a good root system.

Keep your Zanzibar gem cutting in a warm location for about two weeks. During this time, the cut end should feel velvety smooth, and moist.

Once your cutting has achieved a velvety smooth, moist appearance, you can remove it from the bowl or container and plant it in its new growing location.

Step 3 – Transplant Your Cutting

Once your cutting has achieved a velvety smooth, moist appearance, you can remove it from the bowl or container and plant it in its new growing location.

The easiest way to transplant a cutting is to place the root end of the cutting in the soil and then fill it in around the base of the stem with additional soil. Ensure that the upper portion of the stem is above the soil line, and then gently water the soil surrounding the stem.

Most of all, be patient. It can take a month for your cutting to establish a healthy root system, and even longer for the plant to grow new leaves and produce a new plant.

Conclusion

In the end, growing your plants is a great way to save money, be self-sustainable, reduce waste, and have fresh herbs and vegetables all year round. And, as we’ve shown you in this article, Zanzibar gem plants are some of the easiest plants to grow from cuttings.

If you’re interested in growing your plants, but you’re not sure where to start, try one of our indoor gardening kits. These kits include everything you need to get started, including detailed instructions, premium soil, and more.

Now that you know how to propagate a ZZ plant, you’ll never have to wonder how to grow more of these beautiful plants.