ZZ plants are one of the most popular and low-maintenance houseplants you can care for. They have glossy, oval-shaped leaves that can thrive under low light and drought.
Despite their hardiness, adding extra effort through pruning your ZZ plant can be rewarding. Pruning can keep your plant healthy and attractive by removing dead leaves and encouraging new growth.
In this article, we’ll explain why, when, and how to prune your ZZ plant.
Why You Should Prune Your ZZ Plant
Pruning your ZZ plant provides many benefits for its health, growth, and appearance. Here are some reasons why you may want to prune your plant.
1 – Removes, Dead, Damaged, or Diseased Leaves
Dead, damaged, or diseased leaves and stems can weaken the plant’s immune system and make it prone to infection and stress. These leaves can also attract pests and diseases.
Pruning your ZZ plant regularly can help you spot and remove parts of the plant that aren’t healthy or have signs of infections. Doing so helps prevent the problem from spreading to the rest of the plant.
Even when leaves are dead or damaged, plants continue to send energy and nutrients to these parts. By removing them, you can help the plant conserve its energy and resources for healthy growth.
Lastly, dead leaves can reduce your ZZ plant’s attractiveness. Removing them keeps your plant looking fresh and lively.
2 – You Can Control the Size and Shape of the Plant
Many people keep ZZ plants in their space for decoration. Pruning is one way of controlling how your plant looks in the room.
You can easily maintain the size and shape based on the size of your space and your preferences. If the plant is getting too big or leggy, you can trim down the longest stems to keep it well-balanced.
When the leaves are too sparse, cutting the weakest stems can promote new growth and make your plant bushy.
3 – Improves Air Flow and Light Penetration
Pruning your ZZ plant can improve its growth by allowing more air and light to reach all parts of the plant. It creates more space and reduces the density of the foliage around the plant, allowing more air to circulate and preventing shading or crowding that limits light exposure.
Improved airflow protects your plant from the risk of fungal infections and root rot that’s caused by high humidity and poor ventilation. On the other hand, better light penetration helps your plant photosynthesize to produce food and energy.
4 – Encourages New Growth
When you remove old and unwanted leaves while pruning, it stimulates new growth by redirecting the plant’s energy from healing to growing. As you cut back some of the stems, you can trigger the plant to produce new shoots from the cut ends.
5 – You Can Propagate New Plants
Pruning can also help you multiply your plant collection or share it with friends and family through propagation. Instead of throwing the stem cuttings of your ZZ plant away, you can place them in water for a few weeks and watch them grow into new plants.
When to Prune Your ZZ Plant
ZZ plants don’t require frequent pruning. However, to make the most of the benefits, you should prune them during the most optimal times that fit your purpose.
1 – For Encouraging Growth
If your goal is to make your plant bushier with a wealth of new leaves, the best time to prune is in the spring or summer. The plant is actively growing during this time, allowing it to heal faster and grow more.
2 – For Propagation
The best time to prune your plants for propagation is in the late winter or early spring, just as the growing season starts. At this time, you’ll have more time to root the cuttings and establish new plants.
3 – For Size Control
When your aim in pruning is to maintain or decrease the size of your ZZ plant, the best time to prune is in the fall or winter. This is a time when your plant is slow-growing and dormant.
Pruning during these seasons can minimize stress on the plant and prevent excessive bleeding of sap.
How to Prune Your ZZ Plant
Pruning your ZZ plant isn’t difficult when you follow some simple steps and use the right tools. Here is a step-by-step guide to pruning your plant that’ll help you achieve your pruning goals.
1 – Identify Which Parts to Prune
Before you start pruning, take a close look at your ZZ plant and decide which leaves or stems you want to remove. Look for dry, yellow, brown, or damaged leaves and cut them near the base of the stem.
If you want to control the size or shape of the plant, cut the longest stems to keep the plant well-proportioned. For propagation, choose healthy and mature stems with at least two leaf nodes.
2 – Gather Your Tools
To prune your ZZ plant, you’ll need a pair of clean, sharp scissors, pruning shears, or a knife. You can sterilize these tools by soaking them in a mixture of one part bleach and nine parts water for 30 minutes.
Sterilizing before and after pruning prevents any infection or contamination of your plants.
In addition, you’ll need a plastic bag or container for the cuttings.
3 – Start Cutting
Cut the stems carefully. Using your chosen tool, make a clean and quick cut at a 45-degree angle just above a node or the base of the stem.
Avoid making jagged or torn cuts that can damage the plant and invite diseases.
If you’re pruning for propagation, cut the stems with at least two leaf nodes each. Remove any lower leaves from the cuttings and only leave one or two leaves at the top.
4 – Dispose of or Propagate Cuttings
You can easily throw away cuttings of dead or damaged leaves. Alternatively, you can use appropriate stem cuttings to propagate.
Simply fill a small, glass jar or container with enough water to submerge the bottom of the cuttings. Put the cuttings in individual containers and place them somewhere that receives bright but indirect light, like a windowsill.
Change the water every week or whenever it gets cloudy. You’ll notice the cuttings grow roots after around three to four weeks.
Once the roots are one to two inches long, they’re ready to be planted in pots.
Final Thoughts
Pruning your ZZ plant helps keep your plant healthy and attractive. It even offers an opportunity for propagation. This practice not only removes dead or damaged leaves, but encourages growth, and improves air circulation and light penetration.
By following the steps to pruning we’ve outlined in this article, you can help your plant become healthy and vibrant.

Growing up with a mom who filled her home (inside and out) with all sorts of plants, Lisa got her start in gardening at a young age. Living now on her own with a home and yard full of plants (including an indoor greenhouse), she shares all the gardening tips she’s gained over the years.