Agaves are the gift that keeps on giving! These plants are famous for being “prolific pups,” meaning they spend a good chunk of their lives sprouting little baby plants all around the base of the mother plant. In the gardening world, we call these offsets “pups” (or *Kindel* if you’re feeling fancy). If your agave is starting to look like a crowded family reunion, this guide will show you exactly how to separate those pups safely.
Generally, you’ll run into two types of agave pups:
- Pups that have already started growing their own root systems.
- Pups growing directly off the main trunk of the mother plant.
The Best Timing
Technically, you can separate pups at different times of the year—especially since many of us bring non-hardy agaves indoors for the winter or grow them as year-round houseplants. However, for the healthiest plants, there’s a golden rule: many agaves produce their pups during their winter dormant phase. To avoid stressing out your plants while they’re resting, it’s best to wait and separate the pups when you repot them in the spring.
Try to pick a dry, low-humidity day in late spring or early summer for the operation. This helps the “wounds” on the mother plant dry out and heal quickly. As a rule of thumb, wait until pups on compact varieties are at least 2 inches (5 cm) tall. For the big guys, like *Agave americana*, wait until the pups are at least 4 inches (10 cm) tall before moving them.
Pups with Their Own Roots
Often, you’ll see pups popping up a little distance away from the mother plant, though they’re still connected underground. Here’s how to handle them:
- Dig down slightly to find the connecting root and carefully snip it with a sharp, clean knife.
- Gently brush the old soil off the pup’s new root system.
- Pop the youngster into its own pot and give it a very light misting of water.
- Let the cut area on the mother plant air-dry for a few days.
- Once it has calloused over, you can refill the hole with fresh substrate.
Pups Growing on the Trunk
Some agaves grow their babies right on the main stem. These pups usually don’t have their own roots yet. The process is pretty similar to the one above, but you have to be a bit more precise. You want to cut deep enough so the pup’s leaf rosette stays together, but be careful not to slice too deep into the mother plant’s trunk. Once removed, tuck these pups about half an inch deep into some well-draining succulent soil so they can start developing their own roots.
