How to Remove Agave Pups from the Mother Plant

Co-authored by Lauren Kurtz

Last Updated: October 20, 2022 References Approved

Agave plants flower once in their lifetime and then die, and some species take decades to flower. Agave plants spread without flowering by growing offshoots, called pups. These pups grow into new plants once they are separated from the main plant. They are easily removed by exposing the connecting root and cutting through it. You can then grow the pups by replanting them. By separating the offshoots when you spot them, you can start an agave garden or share the pups with other gardeners.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Digging up the Pups

1
Wear a pair of gloves when handling agave. Many common varieties of agave have sharp spines on the leaves. To avoid painful pricks, slip on a pair of gardening gloves before approaching the plant.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Thicker gloves, such as a good pair of leather gloves, offer the most protection and are worth using if you have them.
2
Locate the small buds in the ground. Agave pups look like miniature versions of the mother plant. They usually pop out of the soil around the mother plant, but sometimes they can appear right under the plant’s leaves.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Lift the plant’s leaves carefully while wearing gloves to find any small pups hidden from sight.
- The pups are easiest to remove when they’re small, so searching the plant for them now can save you some hassle later.
Advertisement
3
Remove the plant from a pot if it is in one. You will need to remove the agave first in order to separate the pups. Tip the pot onto its side, allowing the pot’s contents to come out. Pull the plant and soil out of the pot, taking care to avoid disturbing the root ball.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- If you have a flexible pot, you may need to squeeze or push on the sides to empty it.
- For ceramic and other hard pots, you can move a trowel along the inside edge of the pot to loosen the dirt.
4
Clear the dirt around the plant to expose its roots. Brush or dig away the dirt around the roots. Normally, you do not need to take the mother plant out of the soil. Avoid touching the roots as much as possible. The pups will attach to the root cluster through a single large root, which you should be able to spot without taking apart the entire root ball.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- You can dig underneath the plant’s root ball, then lift the plant out of the ground with a shovel. This can help you locate the connecting roots.
- For agave plants too extensive to dig up, loosen the dirt around the plants you wish to remove.
5
Pull the pups away from the mother plant. Grab the pup by the fleshy root you exposed earlier. Twist the pup from side to side as you pull it towards you. Most pups will come free easily this way. Be aware of the spines and throw away any loose leaves so you don’t step on them later.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Cutting through the root is always an option. Slice about halfway along the root connecting the pup to the mother plant with a sharp knife, shears, or a shovel.
6
Replant the mother plant if you dug it up. Check the mother plant to make sure it is stable in the soil, with the roots covered. Shovel dirt evenly over any holes you had to dig earlier. If you use a pot, return the agave to the pot and refill it with soil.
- Set the agave in the center of the pot, then add a store-bought soil mix specifically for cacti and succulents. Cover the roots with the soil. Lightly water the soil to help it settle over the roots.
- Cacti and succulent soil is well-draining and contains a high percentage of sand and gravel.

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Replanting the Pups

1
Plant the pups in suitable soil with full to partial sunlight. You can plant the new pups around your garden. As long as the plants are in full to partial sunlight, they should thrive as well as the mother plant. For pot growing, separate the pups into individual pots filled with a store-bought soil mix for cacti and succulents.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- The pups can be planted anywhere with loose, well-drained soil. If the mother plant grows in your yard, chances are the pups will too.
- Loosen the soil about 12 in (30 cm) deep. Plant the pups so the root ball is covered and the leaves are right above the soil’s surface.^{[7]
  X
  Research source}
- Agave grows best when planted in the early fall or spring. The roots establish in about 2 months. When you touch it, the plant will feel firmly attached to the ground.
- Be patient, as agave plants are slow growing.
2
Dampen the soil once a week for a month. Give the new pups a supplemental amount of water to encourage root growth. After planting, add water until the soil appears slightly damp. Wait a week for the soil to dry, then dampen it again. Do this a few more times until the agave is established in its planting bed.
- Water the agave once a week for no more than 6 weeks. Afterwards, the plant should need water about once a month, or once a week in the summer.
3
Fertilize the soil every month in spring and fall (optional). To ensure a healthier plant, apply a fertilizer that is 20% nitrogen, 20% phosphorus, and 20% potassium. Spread fertilizer around the plant from March to May, then again in September to November.
- Spring and fall are the growing seasons for agave, so this is when the fertilizer is effective.
- Agave does not require fertilizer to grow into a healthy, mature plant.

Community Q&A

Question

How long can I wait to replant pulled aloe vera plants/pups?

Ninox

Top Answerer

You can wait until pups are nearly dry if you water well after replanting, but the faster you replant them, the better the result will be.
Question

After separating the pups, they don't grow fully. They grow tall, but not wide. How do I plant pups to have them round like the mother plant?

Brett Gilbert

Top Answerer

A small pot size is most likely the culprit. If the agave has no space on the sides, it may get longer but not wider. Use a pot that leaves about 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) around the plant's sides. Make sure the root ball is positioned in the center of the pot. When the agave outgrows the pot, possibly in 2 to 3 years, transfer it to a pot the next size up.
Question

My puppies are growing from the mother trunk now dying after spectacular flowering. How do I remove the shoots?

Ninox

Top Answerer

Dig deep enough in the ground to remove all the roots of the shoots then replant them in a sunny place.

Warnings

Many agave plants have sharp spikes on the leaves. Although not dangerous, the spines can sting, so wear gloves, shoes, and dispose of loose leaves.

⧼thumbs_response⧽
Helpful 2 Not Helpful 1