Good advice from Brad. And the pups are certainly easier to remove when on the smaller side. Just be careful not to mangle the outer leaves. It won't hurt them, but it will look ugly until the plant grows out of it.

These guys were too big. The plant was in the ground and in an area hard to reach. So the pups got pretty big and weren't happy about moving.

Thank you Brad for the detailed explanation. I'll try that method of removal, sounds a lot less stressful for Mom too. Plus, if I remove her, I would be tempted to put in a larger pot.... she is already heavy but not unbearable.

Crenda, thank you for the advise as well. I can see from photo you put a lot of effort into removing them from the ground. I have seen your agave in ground photos too, always wonderful to see how they thrive in the ground... more large overall and plumper leaves. Beautiful job in your care of them.

Nancy

Crenda, it may have been tough, but you prevailed. Nice crop you have there :-)

Thanks, Brad! I've been sharing, trading, and beautifying the island at the end of our cul-de-sac. I have my eye on a barren looking median, too! I just can't throw a healthy plant away!

Nan, I'd wait until spring, but Agaves never stop growing if given growing conditions (warmth, heat, light, water, room to grow) so it probably would be OK to do so now.

Thanks, Jeff. Decisions, decisions. I do keep the heat warm in the winter at least 70F, although they may like more of 80F plus. They would be in Southern windows plus possibly borrowing a grow light...probably could fit some pups but not momma. Contemplating finding a new home with a greenhouse for momma too. Well, I should decide soon.

Nancy, I tend to forget that not everyone has a warm winter like I do. Yes they are easier to handle when not big, but I don't think your pups will get too big to handle if you wait until spring to remove them. Your call on when to dig in!

Nan, indeed you should. I was musing on FB of the music I had during my walk home today - the robins doing their last skitterings through the brush, feeding before heading south until March of next year. I will bring my plants in at the end of the month (I hope it's not too late!). If you're getting rid of Mom, yes, the pups would be OK on their own, you just won't see a great growth spurt until there's more sun in the day. As I wrote, though, you'll still see some growth in conditions such as yours, so detach, detach, detach and rooting should be easy.

Nancy- Beautiful mommy plant!