The ZZ plant is quite easy to propagate, mainly because it doesn’t have any special requirements. Once a year, at the beginning of spring is the best time to repot. How to Prune a ZZ Plant. ZZ plants propagate in two main ways: through division, and through leaf cuttings. I personally prefer to leave the more unique looking stems on my ZZs. ZZ plant stalks falling over can also be a sign of trauma to your plant. Plant stem cuttings with two leaves in a well-drained potting mix, water lightly and place the cuttings in a warm area where they will receive bright light during the day. Water your ZZ plant regularly. You can also grow new ZZs from cuttings. I recommend trimming no more than 20% off your ZZ at one time as you don’t want to shock your plant. Luckily, ZZs are also extremely hardy and if given enough time can turn into a beautiful show-stopper of a houseplant. The ZZ plant is an unusual aroid related to the calla, caladium, dieffenbachia and philodendron but looks nothing like its common kinfolk. Never use commercial leaf shining products on this plant. ZZ plants grow from thick, large rhizomes. Grab a yellowing leaf, and pull it off. Propagation by division is the simplest way to create more ZZ plants—simply separate the rhizomes the next time you repot your ZZ plant and plant in a separate container. You can keep maintaining it by pruning as you have, a lot of people do so, but it will keep trying to grow back. They prefer the average levels of house humidity. Amistaadt has written book reviews for Work At Home Truth. There are a few cases however, where you might want to consider a trim or cut to your plant. If your ZZ has a few leaves that are yellow or brown, don’t worry. While a ZZ left completely on its own in a dark closet will eventually falter and fail, it is much less fussy and … You may need to prune the ZZ plant over time, but prune with care because each sprout of the plant is actually a leaf. I clean my scissors with a mild bleach solution (1 parts bleach to 9 parts water) or wipe them down with isopropyl alcohol. If you choose not to wear gloves, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after handling the plant. In this case, you should start pruning your plant and skip watering for about a month. So aesthetic pruning is seldom necessary. Input your search keywords and press Enter. The ZZ plant will accommodate a broad spectrum of light conditions, however it doesn't like harsh direct sunlight found in South facing windows. Note: Raven® ZZ plant is grown for ornamental purposes only. If you’re seeing a lot of yellowing, remove your plant from its container and examine the roots to make sure they’re still healthy and white. For that reason, it is best to remove the leaf from the plant. They are naturally slow growers and trimming them back won’t change that. Some of these stems from the same plant grow straight up and then others arch over, which may encourage you to prune odd looking stems to keep the plant looking full and shaped well. As long as your overall plant looks healthy, your ZZ is fine.eval(ez_write_tag([[250,250],'thehealthyhouseplant_com-box-4','ezslot_3',109,'0','0'])); If, however, you’re noticing a lot of leaves losing color, you may have a bigger issue with your plant that needs to be resolved. Pruning Pruning is not required except to remove old faded leaves that have aged out. The ZZ plant is poisonous if ingested, according to the University of Connecticut and Gardens.com. Do not water the plant again until the soil becomes dry 1 inch below soil surface. I love them because they require so little effort on my part. The most common cause of discolored and droopy ZZs is overwatering. He publishes online articles with major focus on pets, wildlife, gardening and fitness. Pruning ZZ plants Credit: Terrain Small children, pets or rough treatment of your plant can lead to damage to the stalks, causing them to break and fall over. This is all about propagating a ZZ Plant by rooting the stem cuttings in water. If this is the case, prune your plant and enhance the frequency of watering. ZZ Plant The plant commonly known as "ZZ" has become a popular houseplant because of its interesting foliage and adaptability to challenging growing conditions. ZZ Plant The plant commonly known as "ZZ" has become a popular houseplant because of its interesting foliage and adaptability to challenging growing conditions. Prune out dead and dying stems. How to Choose the Best Soil and Pot for Your ZZ Plant, Help for an Overwatered ZZ Plant: 5 Steps to Recovery, When to Water Your ZZ: Four Signs Your Plant Needs a Drink, Why Is My ZZ Plant Not Growing? Of course, if the branches are getting in the way, feel free to prune them. Grab a yellowing leaf, and pull it off. If you want to be cautious, wear gloves when doing anything to ZZ stems. Tips to Get It Growing Again, ZZ Plants and Coffee Grounds: Tips to Naturally Fertilize Your Plant, Why Do ZZ Leaves Curl? Remove yellowing leaves as they occur throughout the year on the ZZ plant. This task promotes aspiration and keeps the leaves shiny and attractive. A full-time writer since 2007, Axl J. Amistaadt is a DMS 2013 Outstanding Contributor Award recipient. In fact, ZZ is so impressive that is was named a Florida Plant of the Year by FNGLA (Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Association) more than once. Can You Cut the Top Off of a Madagascar Palm to Propagate Multiple Growth? But, propagation can take up to 9 months or even more. Also, no sawing motions or serrated blades. The ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) gets its common name from its botanical name. Again, this usually is not cause for concern as the older portions of your plant will die off over time. This action does not stimulate new growth so may not contribute to an overall appearance of fullness. The ZZ plant is poisonous if ingested, according to the University of Connecticut and Gardens.com. ZZs have large underground rhizomes they use as reservoirs, so these plants don’t need to be watered often. ZZ — shorthand for the plant’s tongue-tangling botanical name, Zamioculcas zamiifolia — may be the solution for anyone who wishes they could grow something — anything — without much attention and hassle, and better still if it can thrive on neglect. Learn when to prune your flowering shrubs. Because a ZZ plant rarely suffers from pests and diseases, dead and dying stems probably result from improper watering. If you are hoping to keep your plant on the smaller side, eventually you will need to prune your ZZ by giving the ends a trim. Regardless of why you are pruning your ZZ Plant, be sure to only use clean, sharp scissors or garden shears to make even cuts in the stem. Tips & Tricks for Happy Leaves. Pruning is generally only done to remove dead or dying leaves and stems or to keep a plant from growing too tall. I love my ZZ Plants and I have them in all shapes and sizes. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to consider wearing a pair of gloves while pruning. Unlike other plants in my collection, ZZs are extremely low maintenance. I like to use a cactus and succulent mix for these plants, but I also will mix in additional coarse perlite or pumice.. My go-to potting soil when I want to use a succulent/cactus mix is Miracle Gro Cactus Palm and Citrus mix.. ZZ plants generally don’t require pruning. Kind of…. Small children, pets or rough treatment of your plant can lead to damage to the stalks, causing them to break and fall over. Do Monstera Deliciosas Like Humidity and Misting? If your plant’s stems ever start to get wacky or grow into spaces you don’t want them to be in, you can easily prune the plant by snipping the stems off. When in doubt, wait a few more days before watering again. Fertilizing: Fertilize your plant once or twice in the spring or summer months using a diluted liquid fertilizer like 20-20-20. ZZ plants are not the best plants to have when you have cats in the house. ZZ plant’s growing season is from April to August. Take a cutting from a mature ZZ plant that has at least two leaves and a portion of the stem and plant it in a well-draining soil mix. But from time to time, I do need to prune or trim back a small portion of the plant. While regular pruning is usually unnecessary for ZZ Plants, there are certain occasions where trimming the plant will benefit it in the long run. Regarding this, how do you shape a ZZ plant? As I said before, there are very few cases in which you would need to prune your ZZ at all. Zamioculcas Zamiifolia is a slow growing, reliable performer that is easy to propagate. That means it won’t re-sprout if chopped off in the middle. Nip back the ZZ plant’s stems if you think they are too long by using clean, sharp shears. Large-Specimen Indoor Plants That Are Easy to Care For, How to Care for a Zamioculcas Zamiifolia Plant With Yellowing Leaves, Easy Bloom: ZZ Plant -- Zamioculcas Zamiifolia, Everliving Greenery: Tips for Grooming Tropical Plants, Garden Heights: Indoor Tropical Plants for Improving Air Quality, Types of Small to Medium Potted Palm Trees. New leaves grow from the rhizomes up through the soil. The purple leaves are a superb contrast to any plant, green, blue, or yellow. I have one in particular with a very odd kink in the stem that I think gives it character. The ZZ plant is quite easy to propagate, mainly because it doesn’t have any special requirements. Money Trees and Sapping: What Is It & Why Does It Happen? 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