Propagating Aloe Plants

Aloe vera

Every year my aloe vera plant grows a bunch of new pups around the base of the mother plant.

Usually by spring, the pups are large enough to be removed.

Aloe plants are propagated by removing the mature pups.

I remove them from my plant every spring; spring is the best time to propagate and repot aloe plants.

The pups don't have to be removed from the mother plant, but I like to make room for aggressive summer growth (and more pups).

Some aloes reproduce faster than others and will fill a pot quickly, other types take several years to produce mature pups.

Here is a close up of the aloe vera pups before I started to remove them.

Aloe pups around the base of the mother plant

To remove the pups, carefully slide the entire root ball out of the pot. Brush away the dirt around the base of the parent and pups until you can see the roots.

Aloe pups on mother plant

Aloe pup removed from mother plant

Only remove pups that have their own root system, pups without roots won't survive on their own.

Gently tease and untangle the pup's roots away from the mother, disturbing the roots of the mother plant as little as possible.

If the stem of the pup is attached to the mother, sever the connection with a sterile knife or clippers.

This will make it easier to untangle the roots.

Once the pups are removed, slide the mother plant back into the original pot, or a new one if you want to repot it.

Now you can plant each individual pup into it's own pot. Always use a clean pot and sterile potting soil when potting plants. Aloe plants are succulents and prefer a sandy, fast draining soil. If you tend to over water plants, choose a pot with drainage holes.

Aloe pups potted up

Plant the pup in it's new pot at the same depth it was in the old pot.

Wait to water the pups for several days after potting them up.

This will give them time to recover from the shock.

Don't forget to add a plant tag to each plant.


Look at all those new plants! Be sure to share them with friends. They make great gifts!

Pin It