The pruning and trimming of the bachelor palm

Pruning a Zamioculcas zamiifolia is a task that is rarely necessary for the health of the plant, but can be performed for aesthetic reasons or to manage its size and shape. Unlike many other houseplants that require regular trimming to encourage bushier growth or remove spent flowers, the ZZ plant maintains a neat, upright habit naturally. Its slow growth rate means it will not quickly become overgrown or unruly. Most of the pruning you will ever need to do involves the removal of yellowing or dead stems, which is a normal part of the plant’s life cycle. This simple act of housekeeping keeps the plant looking tidy and directs its energy towards new, healthy growth.

When a stem begins to turn yellow, it is a sign that it is senescing, or aging. This can happen naturally to the oldest stems on the plant, or it can be a symptom of an underlying issue, most commonly overwatering. If you are confident your watering routine is correct, the occasional yellow stem is no cause for alarm. Once a stem has started to yellow completely, it will not recover or turn green again. At this point, it is best to prune it off to improve the overall appearance of the plant.

The process of pruning is straightforward. It requires a clean, sharp tool to ensure a neat cut and to prevent the introduction of pathogens. A pair of sharp scissors, pruning shears, or a sharp knife will work well. It is always a good practice to sterilize your cutting tool before use by wiping the blades with rubbing alcohol. This simple step helps to prevent the potential spread of any diseases from one plant to another, or from one part of the plant to another.

When removing a stem, the cut should be made as close to the soil line as possible. This creates a clean look and removes the entire unsightly stalk. The small stump that remains will eventually dry up and wither away. These pruned stems do not need to go to waste; if the stem is yellow due to age but is otherwise firm and healthy, you can use it for propagation. Simply cut the healthy green parts of the stem or its individual leaves and use them to start new plants, giving the pruned material a second life.

When and why to prune

The primary reason to prune a Zamioculcas zamiifolia is for maintenance and aesthetics. The most common pruning task is the removal of leaves or entire stems that have turned yellow or brown. A single stem yellowing is often just a sign of old age. As the plant matures, it will shed its oldest leaves to make way for new growth. Removing these spent stems keeps the plant looking fresh and prevents it from expending any residual energy on a dying part.

Another reason for pruning is to address signs of distress. If widespread yellowing occurs, it is typically an indication of overwatering and root rot. In this case, pruning away the yellow stems is part of the larger process of diagnosing and treating the root issue. Removing the dying foliage allows you to better assess the health of the rhizomes and roots and reduces the overall stress on the plant as it attempts to recover. Similarly, if a stem becomes physically damaged, bent, or broken, it is best to prune it off cleanly to prevent it from becoming a potential entry point for disease.

Pruning can also be used to control the size and shape of the plant. Although it is a slow grower, a mature, healthy ZZ plant can become quite large and wide over several years. If a plant is becoming too large for its designated space, you can selectively prune some of the outer stems. This can help to maintain a more compact form. When pruning for shape, try to make strategic cuts that maintain a natural and balanced appearance.

Finally, pruning provides an excellent opportunity for propagation. A healthy stem that is removed for size control is a perfect candidate for creating new plants. You can use the entire stem or cut it into sections to maximize the number of new plants. This transforms a simple maintenance task into a rewarding propagation project, allowing you to easily multiply your collection or share this resilient plant with friends and family.

The proper tools and techniques

Using the right tools and techniques for pruning is essential for the health and safety of your Zamioculcas zamiifolia. The most important requirement for any cutting tool is that it is sharp. A sharp blade makes a clean cut that heals quickly, whereas a dull blade can crush the plant’s tissues, creating a ragged wound that is more susceptible to infection. For the fleshy stems of a ZZ plant, a sturdy pair of bypass pruning shears, a sharp floral knife, or even a heavy-duty pair of scissors will work effectively.

Before making any cuts, it is imperative to sterilize your tools. Plant diseases can be easily transmitted through contaminated pruning tools. The simplest way to sterilize them is to wipe the blades thoroughly with a cloth or cotton ball soaked in isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol. This should be done before you start pruning and is especially important if you are moving between different plants. This quick and easy step is a cornerstone of good plant hygiene.

When removing an entire stem, the technique is to cut it as low as possible, close to the base where it emerges from the soil. This avoids leaving an awkward, leafless stump protruding from the pot. Make the cut straight across the stem. The small portion of the stem that remains attached to the rhizome below the soil line will naturally dry back and will not harm the plant. There is no need to dig into the soil to remove it.

If you are only removing a single damaged leaflet rather than the whole stem, simply snip it off where its small petiole connects to the main stem. Always handle the plant gently during pruning, as the stems can be somewhat brittle and may snap if bent too far. Dispose of any diseased plant material away from your other houseplants, and consider propagating any healthy material you have removed.

Managing size and encouraging fullness

While Zamioculcas zamiifolia is not a plant that requires pruning to encourage fullness—its clumping growth habit from the rhizomes naturally creates a dense appearance—you can use trimming to manage its overall size and maintain a desirable shape. Over many years, a happy ZZ plant can spread outwards, with new shoots emerging around the perimeter of the pot. If the plant’s spread becomes too wide for its location, you can prune the outermost stems at the soil line.

When pruning for size reduction, it is best to do so gradually rather than removing a large portion of the plant all at once. Removing more than a third of the plant’s stems at one time can cause significant stress. Instead, select a few of the longest or most wayward stems and prune them back. This selective removal will be less noticeable and will allow the plant to recover more easily. The goal is to thin the plant out slightly without creating obvious gaps.

Interestingly, pruning does not stimulate branching on the cut stem as it does in many other plants. A cut ZZ stem will not regrow from the point of the cut. All new growth on a ZZ plant comes from the underground rhizomes in the form of entirely new shoots. Therefore, the only way to truly encourage more fullness is to provide the plant with optimal growing conditions—especially bright, indirect light and proper care—which will stimulate the rhizomes to produce more shoots over time.

If your goal is a denser, more compact plant, another effective strategy is to ensure it receives light from all sides. Regularly rotating the pot by a quarter turn every month or so encourages all the stems to grow straight and upright, rather than leaning in one direction towards a light source. This simple practice results in a more symmetrical and visually full plant, often negating the need for corrective pruning to fix a lopsided shape.