My zz plant was doing okay. Wasn't growing as quickly as other describe despite living outside in a shady but bright part of my deck in NC USA. Should be getting plenty light and is protected from rain. Then this morning I find it like this. Each stem has a soft brown spot at the base and has fallen over. I cut them off and put them in a glass jar of water until I know what to do with the cuttings. I quickly checked the roots and everything looks and smells normal so I put it back in the soil.

The soil is a cactus mix with extra perlite added for drainage. So what could have caused this sudden change? And what is the best way to propagete zz plant cuttings? I have 4 or 5 so I think I may experiment with water propagtion and perlite propagation.