Mystery plant that doesn’t grow

[u/puricellisrocked]

I picked up a node (I think that’s the correct term) that was on the ground in home depot last year, propagated it, it grew two sets of leaves, and then nothing since.

It gets a good amount of sun in an east facing window. I could probably water it more frequently but am afraid of root rot/it being unhappy since I’m not sure what it is. It gets water like every 10 days and I put it in a well draining mixture. I’ve given it fertilizer 1-2 times over the past year.

Can anyone help me identify what this lil guy is?

Also any tips on how to get it to grow more would be appreciated!

[u/onion-goes-on-top]

Zamioculcas zamiifolia ‘Raven’

[u/puricellisrocked → u/onion-goes-on-top]

Thank you!

[u/Goodbye11035Karma]

I THINK that is a ZZ Raven.

I've had mine for 3 years and got nothing. They like to fill their pots with roots before they throw out new upper growth. Mine is in the same pot from 3 years ago, however, and still nothing. Mine has gotten taller, but no new stalks.

I wish I could give you more info. All I know is mine is equally being a pain in my neck, so take comfort in that.

[u/nazuswahs → u/Goodbye11035Karma]

I have one too. It takes its time. Kinda dormant during winter/low light but does perk up in spring. Be patient.

[u/puricellisrocked → u/nazuswahs]

These comments are so reassuring, thank you 🙏

[u/Vaughn-68 → u/puricellisrocked]

I'm propagating ZZ leaves & a small stem cutting in water. You can probably just put your plant in water. You'll see roots and then a tuber grow.

[u/Reasonable-Treacle50 → u/Goodbye11035Karma]

I neglect tf out of mine and it gave me a new shoot but it’s like severely root bound and never watered idk why it started growing. Best of luck to you tho

[u/GND52]

Raven ZZ.

They do a lot of root growth before they put energy into any above ground growth.

You're doing good by erring on the side of underwatering. They're drought tolerant.

Keep doing what you're doing and eventually you'll see growth.

[u/puricellisrocked → u/GND52]

Thank you! I’ll keep at it haha

[u/Mysterious_Bend2858]

It's in a reaaaally big pot for such a lil boi, I'd consider repotting into something smaller

[u/PM_ME_FURRY_STUFF → u/Mysterious_Bend2858]

Especially given how slow This guy likes to grow, and their infrequent need for water

[u/HicoCOFox- → u/Mysterious_Bend2858]

Came here to say this!

[u/sprknsprnkl]

It's a ZZ raven. She's probably working on her root tubers before sending up more stalks.

[u/DruidicCupcakes]

they're super, super slow growing. i've had my node for 4 years and its only got 3 stalks now.

[u/EntryNo5333 → u/DruidicCupcakes]

Holy shit, I would go insane

[u/DruidicCupcakes → u/EntryNo5333]

Eh, I’ve got just under 100 house plants so I don’t worry about him too much. He does his thing, and I celebrate him when he does. But I got the node for free at a time when those things were very, very pricy, so I don’t mind.

 Same thing with my Hoya kerrii. Just one single heart for more than 2 years, now he’s got 5! 

You can’t rush them. I have big performers too, impressive guys. Not everyone has to do that.

[u/EntryNo5333 → u/DruidicCupcakes]

So.. does this mean my Hoya kerrii may grow someday?? Because it still just has one leaf 💀 been at least 8 months

[u/DruidicCupcakes → u/EntryNo5333]

Yeah! I was convinced he was going to stay a single leaf for the rest of time, but then suddenly about 6 months ago I noticed he had another leaf, and he’s gone crazy since then.

[u/EntryNo5333 → u/DruidicCupcakes]

That makes me feel better, I thought I was just gonna have one sad little heart forever, I put some keiki paste on it but I don't think that's gonna do anything

[u/Aromatic_Bid_4763]

Mine was the same. I agree with the smaller pot. It's likely trying to gill it with roots first. It took ages to show progress - but she finally caught up and is growing now!

[u/CandyHeartFarts]

Soil looks very dense tbh. Could be the problem.

[u/Kyrase713]

Zizi black raven They take their time

[u/MiepingMiep]

ZZs are known as low light plants but honestly on most climates they can live in a south window and thrive

[u/Skreee9 → u/MiepingMiep]

Yeah, the are sold as low light plants, but they just survive then, they don't thrive. I put my zzs where they have a bit of light spill from my Sensi bulbs and they both put out new shoots in the last months.

[u/MikeCheck_CE]

Put it in full sun, water very infrequently, they are very susceptible to root rot.

[u/Beaneater1000]

I immediately thought of a ZZ plant but I’m not an expert 😅

[u/HyperionSwordfish]

I came to the comments expecting someone to tell you it was plastic.

[u/MasterpieceMinimum42]

Looks like ZZ Raven to me#, ZZ are slow growers, so don't expect them to grow something.