Stunted growth on your Zanzibar Gem? Well, why not try this pencil trick that helps the ZZ plant push out fresh stems soon?
ZZ plants naturally don’t grow very fast—that’s just them! Only if you keep them in perfect condition will you be able to see your Zanzibar Gem pushing out new growth like a dream. But we have got an amazing hack to speed up this process—the pencil trick!
Pencil Trick for ZZ Plant to Push Out New Stems
Now we know that it sounds quite odd, but you have to wait for the miracle. As mentioned before, ZZ plants are not known for their fast growth. You will even hear that older plants that grow too tall tend to bend over, and that is pretty unsightly. But the lesson you can take from here is to get them when they are young! Younger plants will, of course, adapt better to newer practices like the pencil trick.
How to Use the Pencil Trick (Without Hurting the Plant)
Getting to the good part, here’s what you should do. With a pencil (or any similar tool), you can gently poke down into the soil around the rhizome. What this can do is stimulate the plant into producing more stems and newer growth.
How? This practice helps aerate the soil around the roots, which encourages the plant to focus its energy on growing taller and bushier. Want to hear something even better? This pencil trick, combined with the ideal light, watering, and the occasional pruning, can even prevent leggy stems!
While doing this, make sure not to damage the rhizomes. Poking too deep or too hard might hurt them, and that’s the last thing we want! So, go gently—think of it like fluffing a pillow, not digging for treasure.
Time to Check—Is Your ZZ Root-Bound?
This is a good time to check if your ZZ plant is root-bound. If the roots are circling the pot or peeking out from the drainage holes, consider repotting it into a slightly bigger container. A cramped ZZ can’t grow freely—giving it a little extra legroom might just boost its growth too.
Support Tall Leaves with the Same Pencil!
You know what’s even better? You can use pencils for older plants too! In case you can’t get your hands on the perfect wooden stakes to keep the leaves from bending over, pencils make for a great alternative. For the leaves that are bending over, tie each of them to a stake with small twisty ties.
As the leaves get larger and start bending, you will need to cut them back to the soil line with a pair of sharp, sterilized garden shears.
Watch the Drainage and Root the Cuttings
And here’s a fun little tip— if you’re using a decorative pot without drainage holes, double-check that water isn’t pooling at the bottom. ZZ plants hate soggy feet, and all the pencil poking in the world won’t help if the roots are drowning.
This is a great method to keep your plant from looking unruly or leggy. Plus, you can even root the stem cuttings to start new plants. However, they can take quite a long time to root so you must be patient!
To give those cuttings a better chance, dip the ends in rooting hormone and place them in a well-draining mix. Then just set them aside in a warm, bright spot—and forget about them for a while. ZZs root on their own timeline!
Eager to try the pencil trick for your ZZ plant? Try it out and let us know all about the new growth you get in the comments below!
