There comes a time when removing Aloe vera pups from the mother plant is necessary. When too many pups grow around the base, they start competing for nutrients and space, affecting the mother’s overall health. While separating them is the right step, the real challenge begins afterward—what to do with them next.
The Problem with Delayed Planting
Ideally, newly separated pups should be planted immediately, but reality doesn’t always cooperate. Sometimes, there aren’t enough pots, soil, or space available, leading to an unintended delay. Initially, setting them aside for later might not seem like a big issue, but neglect can quickly turn into a disaster.
One of the biggest mistakes is leaving the pups stacked on top of each other for an extended period. Those at the bottom can get crushed or rot due to excess moisture and lack of airflow. In my case, procrastination was another culprit. I kept telling myself, *I’ll plant them tomorrow,* but tomorrow turned into weeks, and soon I found myself with a pile of rotten Aloe barbadensis pups.
Salvaging What’s Left
Seeing the damage was heartbreaking, but not all was lost. I carefully sorted through the pile and found pups that were still salvageable. The first step was to wash them thoroughly and allow them to dry. This process is similar to reviving rotten spring onions—air-drying them while gradually exposing them to light.
Because these pups had been sitting in the shade for over a month, they had become overly sensitive to direct sunlight. Immediate exposure to the afternoon sun could have scorched them, so I introduced them to indirect light first. Some leaves continued to rot, but the core of the plants remained viable.
Planting and Recovery
Once the rotting stopped, it was time to plant them. Since I still lacked enough resources, I had to improvise—placing multiple pups in one pot while giving the larger ones their own small containers. It wasn’t ideal, but it was better than leaving them unplanted any longer.
After a couple of weeks, the plants began showing signs of recovery. Some leaves still struggled, but the pups themselves were surviving. However, Aloe vera thrives in full sunlight, and I didn’t want them to become too accustomed to shade. To help them transition, I gradually moved them to a sunnier spot. As expected, some leaves turned slightly brown as they adjusted to the increased sunlight.
A Lesson in Patience and Timing
A month later, the rescued pups looked much healthier! In a few more weeks, they will be ready for their next stage—transplanting into larger containers or spacing them out properly so each has room to grow.
This experience reinforced an important lesson: delaying planting can be costly. While Aloe vera is resilient, it still requires timely care. The next time I separate pups, I’ll make sure to plant them sooner rather than later. And if I must wait, I’ll at least store them in a way that prevents unnecessary loss.
If you’ve ever struggled with Aloe vera pups, I hope this serves as a reminder—don’t wait too long, and always have a backup plan!
