A ZZ plant can be propagated from leaf cuttings, although it is a slow process. A healthy leaflet may eventually form a small rhizome and roots before sending up a new shoot.
Choose a suitable cutting
Select a healthy mature leaflet and remove it with a clean tool, keeping a small portion of the base intact. Avoid diseased, water-soaked or heavily damaged tissue.
Rooting medium and moisture
Set the base into a lightly moist, well-draining propagation mix or follow a clean-water rooting method. Keep it warm with bright indirect light, not harsh sun. Do not leave a soil cutting constantly waterlogged.
Why patience matters
ZZ plants grow slowly, and a rooted cutting may sit for many weeks or months before visible new shoots appear. The underground rhizome can develop first, so lack of immediate top growth is not necessarily failure.
When to pot it up
Wait until the cutting has developed a healthy root system and new growth. Use a small container with drainage and avoid an oversized wet pot. Division of a mature plant is usually faster if you want another full-sized plant.
Frequently asked question
Can you propagate a ZZ plant from a single leaflet?
Yes, but it is slow and success depends on healthy tissue and suitable conditions.
Sources and further reading
See this university, government or veterinary source for more information.
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