Whereas it is a pure a part of the life cycle for this species, you possibly can hold your vegetation trying contemporary by eradicating outdated or useless leaves.
Although ZZ vegetation not often fall prey to illness pathogens, if you happen to do discover indicators of rot similar to soggy stems or leaves, make sure you take away affected elements as quickly as you see them.
When pruning, use sharp, clear scissors and make straight cuts. All the time put on gloves or wash your arms after dealing with ZZ vegetation.
If a specimen appears to be outgrowing its present container, it could even be time to repot.
Switch your ZZ plant to a well-draining container one measurement up, add new potting medium, and water till it drains from the underside earlier than inserting it again in its ordinary location.
Propagation
ZZ vegetation are straightforward, but sluggish, to propagate. Rooting cuttings is the popular methodology, although additionally it is doable to divide them if that is achieved occasionally and sparingly.
From Leaf Cuttings
One of the simplest ways to start out is by rooting leaf cuttings. You can begin many without delay by taking a number of of those from a mature stalk.
Plant newly lower leaves in mild potting soil in a container with good drainage. Any customary potting combine ought to work. Water properly and set in a location with vivid, oblique mild.
Proceed to water each couple of weeks till rooting happens, and be aware that this might take a number of months.
As soon as the cuttings have rooted, you possibly can repot them individually into bigger containers to proceed rising.
Learn our detailed information on beginning ZZ vegetation from leaf cuttings for extra data.
Division
It’s doable to divide Z. zamiifolia, however many gardeners advise towards it for the reason that slow-growing rhizomes take a really very long time to develop again to full measurement.
Should you do select to divide them, achieve this not often, solely as soon as each few years or so.
Earlier than dividing, chorus from watering for a few weeks. Then take away the plant from its container and punctiliously lower or separate a rhizome by hand that has each roots and stems rising from it.
Let wounded vegetation sit out for just a few hours to callus over earlier than replanting every part.
Plant divided rhizomes one inch beneath the soil line in a unfastened potting combine, and water totally. Make sure to at all times select containers with good drainage.
Pests and Illness
These resilient houseplants are very pest resistant, and infrequently endure from illness.
It’s doable for aphids to break foliage, particularly if you happen to put them outdoors throughout the summer season.
Although the aphids themselves are onerous to see, you would possibly discover yellow recognizing on the leaves to point their presence.
You possibly can take away them by wiping the leaves off with gentle dish cleaning soap and water.
When it comes to illness, the important situation to be careful for is root rot. Waterlogged soil encourages fungal development, which might result in rot within the roots and stems.
Indicators of an issue embody discolored leaves; weak, falling, or mushy stalks; and an disagreeable odor coming from the soil.