How to Remove 'Pups' From an Aloe Vera Plant

Aloe vera offshoots, or "pups," are easy to remove and propagate.

Aloe vera plants sprout new growths, called offsets or, more colloquially, "pups," from their roots. If you would like to control the size of your aloe plant or propagate new plants, you can pull off the pups without harming the original roots. If you wish, you can transplant these pups into pots, where they will grow into full-size aloe vera plants.

Things You'll Need

• Flower pots
• Potting soil

Instructions

1. Wait for the pup to grow at least 3 inches long.

2. Gently pull the pup away from the original plant. Try to keep the white root and root hairs with it.

3. Allow the pup to dry for 2 weeks. The offshoot will develop a dry callous where you pulled it off.

4. Fill a flower pot with dry potting soil, and make a little hole in the soil.

5. Place the pup shallowly in the hole, covering the root with soil. Make sure to plant your offshoot with the healed side down, since it won't grow the other way around.

6. Place the flower pot in a sunny spot.

Tips & Warnings

• Try not to get dirt on your aloe vera leaves; leaves exposed to dirt will often turn mushy and brown.

• Stick a prop into your soil to straighten a leaning aloe plant. If a young aloe plant leans in one direction, it will often stay that way forever.

References

• Aloe Vera and Handy Herbs: Propagation -- Or How to Multiply Your Aloe Vera Plants
• Aggie Horticulture: Cactus