Can We Grow zz Plant in Water?

If you’re interested in gardening or indoor plants, you might have heard of the zz plant. This tropical plant, also known as Zamioculcas zamiifolia, is a popular houseplant due to its hardiness, low-maintenance nature, and beautiful glossy green leaves. But can you grow a zz plant in water?

Understanding the zz Plant

To answer the question of whether zz plants can grow in water, it’s important to understand a bit about the plant itself. The zz plant is native to parts of Africa and is well-suited to indoor growing because it can tolerate low light and infrequent watering. It’s a popular choice for homes and offices, and it can grow up to three feet tall.

The zz plant’s thick, dark green leaves grow in alternating pairs along the stem. It has two to three pairs of leaves each year, and new growth emerges from the base of the plant. Unlike many other houseplants, the zz plant has rhizomes - horizontal, underground stems - that store water and nutrients for the plant to use in times of drought.

Growing zz Plant in Water

Now, to the question at hand: can zz plants grow in water? The answer is yes - zz plants can grow in water, but it requires a bit of know-how.

First, you’ll need to take a cutting from a mature zz plant. Choose a stem with two or three leaves, and cut it at an angle just below a node. The cutting should be about six inches long.

Next, remove the bottom set of leaves from the cutting and place it in a container of water. Make sure that the bottom of the stem is submerged in the water but that the leaves are not. Place the container in a bright, indirect light source and replace the water every few days to keep it fresh.

After a few weeks, you should start to see new roots growing from the bottom of the stem. Once the roots are a few inches long and there are several of them, you can transplant the zz plant cutting into soil. Make sure to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, and continue to provide bright, indirect light for the plant.

Pros and Cons of Growing zz Plant in Water

There are pros and cons to growing zz plants in water versus soil. Some of the advantages of growing a zz plant in water include:

Minimal soil mess: Growing a plant in water means you won’t have to deal with soil spills and messes.

Less watering: zz plants are drought-tolerant, so growing them in water means you won’t have to water them as often as you would if they were planted in soil.

No need for fertilizer: since the zz plant cutting will rely on the nutrients already in the water, you don’t need to add any fertilizer while it’s growing.

On the other hand, growing a zz plant in water has some disadvantages, including:

No support: a plant growing in water won’t have the same support network as one growing in soil, so it may be more fragile or require staking to stay upright.

Transplanting is required: once the zz plant cutting has roots, you’ll need to transplant it into soil for it to continue growing.

Water quality matters: the quality of the water you use for growing the zz plant cutting is important. Make sure it’s clean and free of contaminants that could harm the plant.

In Conclusion

So, can you grow zz plants in water? The answer is yes - but it requires a bit of patience and know-how. The zz plant is a hardy, low-maintenance houseplant that is well-suited to indoor growing, and growing it in water can be a fun and educational experience. If you’re interested in trying it out, just make sure to follow the steps carefully and provide the plant with the light, water, and nutrients it needs to thrive.