How to Propagate Zig Zag Cactus in 5 Easy Steps From Stem Cuttings
Or you could just buy a few more and skip the headache.
Learning how to propagate Zig Zag Cactus is easy if you follow the steps, exercise a little patience, and have the right tools on hand.
Quick Tips on How To Propagate The Zig Zag Cactus
Because it’s used to growing in the humid rainforest, the Zig Zag Cactus prefers indirect light and humid rooms when grown indoors.
Extreme temperatures in general can stress the plant.
A south-facing window with filtered light is perfect for this plant’s light conditions.
Only Cut During the Indoor Growing Season
The indoor growing season occurs during late spring through early summer.
This is when the plant is most active, and when you’ll likely see new growth. It’s the best time to take stem cuttings, because:
The plant is stronger and more likely to recover quickly from being cut.
Cuttings taken during this time root faster and more easily.
The warmer temperatures, longer daylight hours, and higher humidity during this season help support healthy plant growth and reduce the risk of fungal infection or root rot.
Avoid cutting during the winter months or when the plant is dormant, as it’s not actively growing and may struggle to heal and root.
Your Zig Zag Cactus Might Bloom, But She Might Not
While your Zig Zag Cactus can bloom, it won’t always happen, and it definitely won’t happen right away. It can take a few years for a mature plant to produce flowers.
The best way to encourage blooms in a mature plant includes the following:
Provide bright, indirect sunlight.
Avoid excessive watering and make sure there are drainage holes to prevent root rot.
The plant prefers warm temperatures and good humidity.
Some growers say allowing a short, slightly cooler and drier rest period in the winter months can encourage blooming the following season.
With the right conditions, you just might get some blooms!
How to Propagate Zig Zag Cactus in 5 Easy Steps (Stem Cutting Method)
Using stem cuttings is the most common and easiest method of propagating the Zig Zag Cactus.
1. Choose a Healthy Parent Plant
Start with a healthy stem from your mature plant. Avoid any parts that have brown spots, fungal infection, or signs of common pests like fungus gnats.
Make sure the whole plant is thriving before cutting.
2. Take a Clean Cut
Using sterilized scissors or clean pruning shears, take a cutting that is about 4–6 inches long. Make a clean cut just above a node or at the base of the stem.
Always handle your cuttings carefully to avoid damaging the delicate flat stems.
3. Allow the Cut to Harden Off
Before planting, it’s important to let the cut end of your stem cutting harden off and form a protective layer. This helps seal the cut and reduces the risk of problems like root rot once it’s planted.
To do this, place your cutting in a dry, shaded spot, somewhere indoors with indirect light and warm temperatures.
Avoid places that are too humid, too cold, or exposed to extreme temperatures.
After three to five days, you’ll notice the cut end starts to dry out and feel slightly firm or leathery. It’s now ready to be planted in well-draining soil.
4. Plant in the Right Potting Mix
Once calloused, plant the cutting into a small pot (with drainage holes) with a well-draining succulent mix.
Place the cutting about 1–2 inches of soil deep, firming the soil gently around it.
5. Create the Right Environment
Providing indirect light (a south-facing window with filtered light is ideal) and keeping the room warm and humid. Avoid much direct sunlight, which can scorch the leaves.
Water sparingly (use a mister) with room temperature tap water or filtered water, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
Trap the moisture to create a “tropical” environment
Loosely place a clear plastic bag over the pot. This helps trap moisture in the air around the cutting, which can speed up root growth, especially if your home is dry.
Make sure the plastic doesn’t touch the cutting directly. You can use small sticks, chopsticks, or even a wire frame to keep the bag lifted. Also, leave a small opening for airflow to prevent too much moisture.
Consider subscribing!
It’s free to subscribe, plus you’ll get access to my newly refreshed AgeingUp blog posts. They’re quick, easy reads that are packed with useful information.
NEW!
Free subscribers get limited access to my digital prints and planner vault! Access printable coloring book pages today!
Are you going to try it?
Learning how to propagate Zig Zag Cactus is easy to do. Just remember to treat recently cut stems with care. They just need a little bit of humidity (you can mimic a tropical environment by covering the stem with a plastic bag after it has been planted in a small pot.
Blooming is often the first real clue that your plant has reached maturity.
Even though it may grow pretty fast in its first year, most young plants won’t bloom until they’re at least two to three years old, because they need to build up enough stored energy and size to support flowers.
Let’s Talk
What are you going to do with your newly propagated plants? Are you planning on filling your home or giving them away as gifts?
Thanks for reading!