If you love a tamed ZZ plant, wait till you see one that grows in every direction! Check out these wild hacks for a jungly Zanzibar gem!
Zamioculcas, with its glossy leaves that shine like polished gems, the ZZ is one of the toughest tropical succulents out there. Easy to grow, hard to kill, and always good-looking—it’s a total package. But indoors, most ZZs never show their wild side. Here’s how to help yours spread out in every direction.
Wild Tricks to Grow ZZ Plant In Every Direction
Note: This article will not cover the basic requirements for growing a lively ZZ plant, but will focus more on the unorthodox techniques that will make your succulent grow wild.
1. Irregular Rotation Cycle
Did you know that, like most plants, ZZ plants exhibit a trait called phototropism? In simple terms, your succulent will bend and manipulate its physical form to try and get close to the source of light. You can use this to your advantage to make your plant grow in a lush, chaotic manner.
Rotate the pot every week so that a different face of the plant is directly exposed to sunlight seeping in from the window. The leaves and stems will stretch in that direction until a new subsection is exposed to the sunlight.
Pro Tip: For more effect and a quicker method, you can use two sources of light, which can be achieved by reflecting natural sunlight off mirrors or using LED grow lights!
2. Divide and Populate
Most times when a plant is ready for propagation, you divide it and transplant the new plantlet into a new pot. But to achieve a wild ZZ plant look, divide the mother plant, but grow it in the same pot. For added effect, try planting it at an angle or towards the edge of the pot so that it can fill out all the gaps.
If you want a simultaneous process, you can start off growing multiple cuttings in a single pot. It can be either through rhizome division or leaf cuttings.
Did You Know? ZZ plants grow from underground rhizomes (fleshy root-like stems). Packing a pot with more rhizomes at different angles is one of the quickest ways to get a bushy, multi-directional effect.
3. Train Using Trellises and Stakes
ZZ plants are somewhat woody, with their stiff stems. This makes it easier for you to erect trellises or stakes at different angles and train the plant on them. Insert the vertical rods in such a manner that they lean outwards along the circumference of the pot.
This succulent has a terribly slow growth pace, so you’ll have to wait a bit for the stem size to be appropriate. You can even use stylish trellises that can add an extra wow factor to your plant.
The bonus Idea is that instead of plain stakes, try bamboo sticks or even a circular wire frame. They not only guide the stems outward but also add a decorative touch to your display.
4. Prune Less, Ignore More
If your goal is to have a dense ZZ, you don’t need to prune or trim it often. In fact, they actually like being ignored a bit due to their slow rate of growth, coupled with their tolerance for negligence.
Also, don’t be fooled by their appearance; they are still succulents, which hate overwatering and thrive in dry and warm temperatures. Also, don’t immediately pounce on repotting the plant. Slightly rootbound ZZ plants force the vertical rhizomes to grow diagonally, which in turn leads to new growth at different angles.
If you ever do prune, don’t throw away the cut stems. They root easily in water or soil and can be tucked back into the same pot for an even wilder jungle effect.
5. Make Sure There’s Enough Room
A ZZ spreading in every direction needs space. Don’t cram it into a small container. When repotting, pick a pot at least a couple of inches wider than the last one.
Terracotta pots are the best choice since they breathe and improve drainage.
Pro Tip: ZZ plants don’t need frequent repotting, but when you do, always loosen the rhizomes a little before tucking them into fresh soil. This gives them more freedom to branch out in all directions.
6. Lush Look through Optical Illusion
Here’s a trick that messes with the eye. Place mirrors near the pot, and your ZZ instantly looks fuller. Bonus—the reflections also boost light exposure, helping hidden stems catch some rays.
Fun Twist: Pair your ZZ with other trailing plants in the same spot. When their reflections overlap in mirrors, your ZZ will look like it has company—and the whole display will appear twice as wild.
Now that you know the most unusual yet effective tricks to make your ZZ plant grow in every direction. Tell us in the comment section which other succulents’ density would you like to increase to wow your gardening pals!
