The ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia) is often called one of the toughest houseplants you can own. It thrives on neglect, tolerates low light, and forgives missed waterings.
But while survival is easy, getting your ZZ to actually multiply in the same pot.
Producing more shoots and filling out into a lush, full specimen takes a bit more strategy.
ZZ plants grow from thick underground rhizomes, which store water and nutrients.
Every new stem you see above the soil starts as growth from these rhizomes. Here’s how to do it.
1. Keep Your ZZ Slightly Root-Bound
Unlike fast-growing tropical plants, ZZs don’t need constant repotting. In fact, they thrive when a little snug in their pot.
A tight space encourages the rhizomes to cluster together and push out new shoots instead of spreading roots into empty soil.
You need to choose a pot that’s just one size bigger than the rhizomes themselves.
Too much room means the plant will focus on filling soil with roots, not producing new stems.
2. Give It Bright, Indirect Light
ZZ plants are famous for surviving in low light, but survive and thrive are two very different things.
If you want multiplication, light is non-negotiable.
Place your ZZ in a spot with bright, indirect sunlight like near an east- or south-facing window with sheer curtains.
In low light, the plant may stay alive but remain stubbornly slow. With stronger light, rhizomes get the energy they need to fuel new shoots.
3. Master the Watering Balance
ZZ plants store water in their rhizomes, so they don’t need frequent watering. But consistent neglect can stunt multiplication.
Use the soak and dry method: water thoroughly until liquid drains from the bottom, then let the soil dry out completely before watering again.
This rhythm keeps rhizomes plump and active.
Overwatering risks rot, while underwatering for too long puts the plant in survival mode, slowing down new growth.
4. Feed During the Growing Season
During spring and summer, your ZZ is naturally more active. This is the perfect time to help it multiply by offering extra nutrients.
Use a balanced, diluted liquid fertilizer (like 10-10-10) once a month. Avoid overfeeding, which can harm roots and rhizomes.
The key is gentle encouragement, not force-feeding. In fall and winter, stop fertilizing, as the plant enters a slower phase.
5. Choose the Right Soil Mix
ZZ plants dislike sitting in soggy soil. For multiplication, you want the rhizomes healthy and expanding, not stressed or rotting.
A well-draining soil mix is essential. You can combine standard potting soil with perlite, coarse sand, or even orchid bark.
This keeps the soil light and airy, letting roots and rhizomes breathe while still holding just enough moisture to keep them hydrated.
6. Don’t Remove Old Stems Too Soon
As ZZ stems age, they may lose their shine or start yellowing.
It’s tempting to cut them right away, but these older stems often continue sending energy to the rhizomes until they’re completely dry.
You need to allow the plant to naturally finish using up those reserves before pruning.
This extra stored energy can fuel new rhizome development and lead to fresh shoots.
7. Be Patient and Consistent
ZZ plants are naturally slow growers. Even with perfect care, you may only see a few new shoots each year.
But consistency is everything, steady light, careful watering, and seasonal feeding all add up over time.
If you stick with it, you’ll eventually notice small green spikes poking through the soil.
These are new shoots, and with every one, your ZZ becomes fuller and more dramatic.
Bonus Trick: Gentle Stress Can Spark Growth
Some growers have noticed that letting the plant dry out a little longer than usual, then resuming deep watering, encourages rhizomes to wake up and send out new shoots.
This mimics the natural cycles ZZ plants experience in their native environment, where periods of drought are followed by rain.
