By Carlos Paris. If you have a mature agave, keep an eye out for little offshoots — aka “pups” — popping up. These small succulents are a snap to transplant. Agave plants are a stunning succulent species that thrive in drylands and they’re an excellent addition to a water-saving landscape. What’s even more distinct about these plants is how easily they reproduce.
Often around the base of a mature plant, you’ll find small offshoots commonly known as pups, which essentially look like small clones of the mother plant. As the mother agave matures, she begins focusing her energy on creating new baby agaves near the base of the plant.
These baby agaves can then be removed and transplanted to grow new individual plants, making propagation a breeze for any gardener.
To remove these pretty little pups, start off by identifying the location of each one, then gently remove the surrounding soil to expose each pup and its roots. This will make the extraction process much easier and safer for the agave.
Once they’re exposed enough, grab the base of each pup and gently pull it away from the mother plant. If they don’t easily detach on the first few tries, using clean pruners or a hand trowel can help. These pups are attached to the mother plant by a thick connecting root — so make sure to make a firm, clean cut.
After the pups have been removed, you can plant them in pots with a cactus/succulent mixture soil. Don’t worry about watering them immediately after replanting, excess moisture can lead to rot which can make it difficult for the pup to establish itself in its new home. Wait a day or two after replanting them to water and continue to water once or twice a week, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Succulents like agave love sunlight, so make sure to expose them to increased amounts of sun little by little as the pup begins to establish itself and show healthy growth.
Early fall and spring are typically the preferred time of year to plant agave pups. This gives them time to get established and develop new roots before the heat of summer arrives.
If you have a mature agave plant at home, keep an eye out for any little pups creeping around the base. You just may have some waiting to be propagated. These newly transplanted pups are a great opportunity to expand the plant life in your landscape and even make excellent gifts for friends and loved ones.
Carlos Paris is a conservation field investigator for SAWS. A native of Colombia, Carlos understands the reciprocity between humans and our natural world. With an education background in environmental science and a landscape irrigator license, he’s passionate about sustainable water use and protecting our region’s most vital resource. Carlos spends his free time hiking and enjoying various parks across the country with his fiancée, Valerie, and dog, Benny.
