The Zamioculcas zamiifolia, or as most of us call it, the ZZ plant, is a total superstar in the world of indoor greenery. It’s famous for being incredibly low-maintenance—not only does it barely need water, but you also don’t have to worry about regular pruning. However, there are a few specific situations where you might want to reach for your garden shears.
No need for a regular trim
Unlike many other houseplants, the ZZ plant doesn’t require a routine haircut. For one thing, it isn’t a fast or invasive grower. Plus, unlike some plants that get bushier when you pinch them back, cutting a ZZ plant won’t actually encourage it to grow denser or sprout new stems from the cut point.
When you actually should prune
Even though it’s not a regular chore, there are definitely times when a little trimming is necessary. The most common reasons include:
- Taking cuttings or offsets for propagation.
- Cleaning up a plant that is sick or dealing with pests.
- Trimming the roots if the plant has been overwatered or over-fertilized.
Propagating your ZZ plant with cuttings
ZZ plants are actually pretty easy to multiply using stem or leaf cuttings. To take a stem cutting, you’ll want to use a clean pair of garden shears or a sharp knife to get a clean break. If you’re trying leaf cuttings, though, it’s actually better to gently pluck them off rather than cut them; this usually helps them root a bit faster and more successfully.
Removing sick or dead growth
If you notice your ZZ plant has yellow or brown leaves, shows signs of stem rot, or is struggling with pests or fungus, it’s time to act. You should generously prune away any affected parts to stop the problem from spreading to the rest of the plant.
Trimming the roots
Sometimes, the best pruning happens below the soil line. If you’re repotting your plant and notice roots that are dried out, mushy, or rotten, go ahead and snip them off. Don’t worry—your ZZ plant will quickly bounce back by growing fresh, healthy roots to replace the ones you removed.
Dividing your ZZ plant
If your ZZ plant is starting to take over your living room, don’t try to “shorten” it by cutting the tops off. Instead, the best move is to divide it. This is a super common propagation method. Just separate the root ball into a few individual sections (making sure each piece has at least one strong stem) and pot them up separately. Before you know it, those new divisions will start pushing out fresh growth of their own!
