Grow Your Aloe Vera Plant Collection With This Easy Propagation Trick

Aloe vera isn't just a gel you slather on every time you get a sunburn. It's also an attractive succulent that can add a lot of interest to your room's design. A bright green plant with plump, pointy leaves that grow outwardly like sharp arrows, it can add a pop of color and texture to any windowsill or side table you put the planter on. And luckily, the plant is super easy to propagate, which means you can cultivate multiple aloe veras around your house and yard without spending an extra dime. All you have to do is wait until something called "pups" sprout in the dirt, and then cut them out and replant them to create new plants. 

Pups are basically offshoots of the original plant, which develop on the horizontal roots that branch away from the plant's primary roots. These offshoots push through the soil as they grow, creating mini sprouts in the dirt. While you can let these little guys grow alongside the original plant in their pot, you can also remove them and propagate them into new plants. If you have been wanting to expand your aloe vera collection, here is how to grow it with the help of pups. 

In order to pull this trick off, you first need to spot a pup. Look at the dirt in your planter and see if you can see a mini leaf sprouting through the dirt. It will be close to the base of the plant, so if you have a rather large mother plant, don't be afraid to poke around the rosette-shaped base to see if there is one hiding nearby. Ensure that it is at least 3 inches tall, which means it will be developed enough to survive the removal and replanting. To remove it, first give your plant a thorough watering, which will help you remove the roots from the soil easier. Once soaked, dig out the offshoot by using either your fingers or a small shovel. Just make sure to leave its roots intact so it can successfully root in the new planter.

Leave the pup on a paper towel for a few days, allowing it to callous over. This ensures the leaf won't be planted soggy, which can cause rot. Once it's ready, plant it into a small planter. Aim for the pot to be about 2 inches deep so it doesn't shock the plant with too much space. Make sure the pot is filled with well-draining soil, water it, and place it in front of a window that receives a good amount of indirect sunlight.

There are some caveats to keep in mind while propagating aloe pups. First, it's best to do this during the spring when the mother plant is actively blooming and growing. This will not only make the separation less risky but also give your pup a better chance of rooting successfully in its new pot since it's not in a dormant state. You also want to avoid removing any pups from plants that seem unhealthy. If you spot any pests or the leaves are oddly discolored or textured, your pup might have the same issues and grow into another unhealthy plant.

Also, keep in mind that not all aloe vera plants produce pups, so you might not always be able to expand your collection this way. To encourage pup growth, make sure the planter isn't too spacious, as aloe vera plants usually appear in more confined spaces. The plant also has to be several years old to create offshoots, so don't expect this from a newbie aloe plant. If it already has some years on it, make sure the plant is getting plenty of sun and water, and give it a little fertilizer boost once a month during its growing season.