Good plant, mediocre results — what went wrong with my ZZ Plant

ZZ Plant is clearly a great plant — I can see that from other people's results. Mine has been decent but not spectacular, and I think I know why.

I underestimated the importance of wiping dusty leaves with a damp cloth to improve light absorption in the early stages and paid for it. brown leaf tips from low humidity or fluoride in tap water also knocked the plant back at a critical point. It lives in a bright indirect windowsill away from heating vents which is probably not quite right but it's the best I can do in my space. straightforward propagation by division, cuttings, or offsets is visible but muted. slowing down in autumn as light levels drop gave me hope — there are glimpses of what it could be. Three stars for now with potential for four.