Resident Evil 9 Plant 43 All 9 Spawnlings Guide: Achievement Locations & Boss Fight Strategy

The Plant 43 boss fight in Resident Evil 9 locks the Not Today, Little Bud trophy behind finding nine hidden spawnlings scattered across the subway tunnels and pit depths, while the main body spams unavoidable tentacle sweeps that drain your healing items fast. If you are tired of backtracking for that one missing spawnling or getting slapped around by parry-unfriendly tentacle attacks during the finale, this guide marks every single spawnling location from the orphanage descent to the fuel tank detonation, plus the exact parry timing needed to expose the core weak point.

New Player Essentials: New players often rush past spawnlings and miss the achievement permanently. Check every side path and dead end before advancing. Shoot the buds only when they bloom open to conserve ammo, body shots do nothing. The ground roots grab you instantly if you step too close, destroying your health bar in seconds. Always clear roots before engaging nearby spawnlings. During the final boss, sprint sideways continuously to dodge the alternating tentacle sweeps. The core only opens after parrying a tentacle attack, so master that axe timing first or you will waste all your ammo shooting the closed mouth.

Table of Contents

1. Orphanage Descent and Subway Access

2. Spawnling 1: The Train Car Mandatory Fight

3. Pit Descent and Spawnling 2 Location

4. South Junction Triple Spawnlings (3, 4, 5)

5. Root Traps and Spawnlings 6-7

6. Final Gate Guardians (8 and 9)

7. Tentacle Parry Mechanics and Clearance

8. Plant 43 Main Body Destruction

1. Orphanage Descent and Subway Access

After defeating the Tyrant, head north straight into the Orphanage. Locate the hole in the floorboards and drop down immediately.

Crawl through the sewer tunnel and emerge on the other side. Cross the rickety log bridge to reach the abandoned subway station. The environment shifts to narrow corridors perfect for ambushes.

2. Spawnling 1: The Train Car Mandatory Fight

Enter the derelict train car to trigger the first encounter. Plant 43's spawnling bursts through the wall with vines flailing.

Wait for the bud to bloom open, revealing the glowing weak point. Shoot it immediately to repel the attacking vines and clear the path forward.

Achievement Note: Destroying this first spawnling is story-mandatory and impossible to miss. Eight more remain hidden in the tunnels ahead. Eliminate all nine to unlock the Not Today, Little Bud trophy.

3. Pit Descent and Spawnling 2 Location

Exit the train and cross the platform. Grab the supply crate at the location shown below, then grip the rope and rappel down into the pit.

At the bottom you will encounter Spawnling 2 lurking near the landing zone. Eliminate it immediately before it extends its reach.

Advance forward to spot items hanging high above. Check both side paths thoroughly before proceeding. The branching tunnels contain crucial supplies and ammo you will need for the boss fight.

4. South Junction Triple Spawnlings (3, 4, 5)

Head toward the large south junction. At the fork in the road you will spot two spawnlings guarding the intersection simultaneously.

1. Spawnling 3 waits at the left fork.

2. Spawnling 4 guards the right fork.

3. Take the side branch path to locate Spawnling 5 hiding in the back alcove.

Clear all three before advancing or you will get attacked from behind during the next sequence.

5. Root Traps and Spawnlings 6-7

Continue deeper into the tunnels and encounter Spawnling 6 standing in the open near a clearing.

Critical Warning: Watch your step near the ground roots sprouting from the dirt. These underground tentacles grab you instantly if you step within two meters, locking you in place and chewing through your health bar.

Shoot the roots from a safe distance first to destroy the trap. Then engage Spawnling 7 positioned behind the root cluster.

6. Final Gate Guardians (8 and 9)

Advance to the final checkpoint before the boss arena. Two spawnlings block the exit route, Spawnling 8 and Spawnling 9, positioned to catch players rushing toward the gate.

Clear them both to unlock the path forward. This brings your total to nine spawnlings destroyed and guarantees the trophy unlock.

7. Tentacle Parry Mechanics and Clearance

Ahead a massive tentacle blocks the path with vines thick as tree trunks. Attempting to shoot through fails, you need the parry mechanic.

When the tentacle swings at you, time your axe parry perfectly to deflect the blow. The window is generous, watch for the wind-up animation.

After parrying, wait for the bud on the tentacle to bloom open. Shoot the exposed weak point to sever the limb completely.

A second vine barrier blocks the left path. Wait for the left-side bud to open, then shoot it to clear the exit route.

8. Plant 43 Main Body Destruction

The final confrontation with Plant 43 begins now. The main body exposes itself with two massive side tentacles that alternate sweeping attacks constantly.

Survival Movement: Sprint sideways continuously to dodge these wide arcs. Never stand still or backpedal slowly, you will take heavy damage and likely die on Hard difficulty. Keep circling the arena perimeter.

Wait for the central mouth to gape open after a tentacle sweep. This is your only damage window. Unload your strongest weapon, the Requiem or shotgun, directly into the exposed maw.

When the boss enters its death throes and collapses, it exposes a fuel tank nearby. Shoot the tank to detonate it immediately. The explosion finishes the job and burns the roots away permanently.

Exit through the gate to arrive at the Ark and complete the chapter.

Key Takeaways:

1. Nine spawnlings total, the first is story-mandatory, eight are hidden in tunnels.

2. Check every side path at the south junction to find spawnlings 3, 4, and 5.

3. Shoot ground roots first before approaching spawnlings 6 and 7.

4. Master the axe parry timing to open tentacle buds for damage.

5. Sprint sideways continuously during the main boss to avoid tentacle sweeps.

6. Only shoot the central mouth when it opens, ignore the closed state.

7. Detonate the fuel tank to finish the boss, do not waste ammo on the death animation.