agave plant care

Agave Plant Care Basics photo credit Over Doz (CC BY-NC 2.0) Agaves thrive in full sun, all day long. Water more during the spring and summer growing seasons, letting soil dry between. Agave Plant Care. Agave plants are slow growing plants that need little care as long as they are getting plenty of very bright light. Common Types of Agave Houseplants. Written by: Norman Category: Garden Ornamental Plants, Shrubs, Bulbs, Bromeliads And Ground Covers Published: April 30, 2019 Having success with growing and caring for the agave plant. It has quickly spread and is now part the landscape of the United States as well as other countries. They are native to the arid and semiarid regions of the Americas, mainly Mexico and the Caribbean. However, when you are first establishing a plant, water it every four or five days for the first month. Mature agave plants are very drought tolerant. Agaves generally have very few problems with pests and diseases. Allow the offsets to dry for one week and plant them in a pot with a well-draining soil mix. Agaves can be susceptible to bacterial and fungal rots if exposed to too much moisture and humidity. Since it can take years to produce seeds, Agaves are usually propagated by offsets. Most species are monocarpic. So instead remove the plant to avoid the pests spreading to any other agaves you might have. Plan to repot your agave plant every couple of years with new soil. The leaves are bud-printed; impressions of the adjacent leaves' teeth are pressed into the leaves surrounding them. No matter the reason, a blue agave plant is relatively easy to take care of with the right light and soil. ... Watering and extra care are important when a plant is newly transplanted. Fertilizing. Mealybugs and scale insects attach to the leaves and suck the juices out of them. Agave houseplant care includes watering as necessary for most succulents. Subscribe now and be up to date with our latest news and updates. The hotter the climate is, the more shade they can handle. An agave plant typically recovers from frost when the cold temps only last a couple of hours. Agave Cactus Planting. Roots will typically appear in two to three weeks. However, the real time is more like twenty to thirty years. Just make sure there is plenty of room to walk around it, so no one accidentally brushes against the spiny tips. When the pot becomes full of roots, it has become pot-bound. Once an agave has flowered, the plant will slowly die but not before it has produced numerous offsets or suckers at the base that can be detached to start afresh. To prune them, use strong shears, a long sharp knife, or a curved pruning saw that are sharp to minimize any tearing and injury to yourself. Agave americana care – What are the requirements of caring for Agave americana? You can grow Agaves in any size container because they are shallow-rooted and do not need much soil. Most Agaves are relatively slow-growing, so even a larger variety can do well indoors for quite a while. Unfortunately, you probably won’t notice this until it’s too late to save the plant. During the growing season, Agave plants like warm temperatures, while in winter, when resting, they like cooler temperatures. No matter which name it is called, the plant is striking wherever it is planted. It grows fairly large—4 feet tall by 5 feet wide—and looks like an enormous artichoke! The majority of agave plants can't tolerate frost and only can grow as far north as USDA growing zones 8 or 9. Then, water once a week, gradually spacing watering to every other week, depending on rainfall. Freezing temps makes the agave leaves turn black, ultimately drying up and dropping off. The sap of an agave plant is quite irritating and the spines and sharp points are painful. With a maximum size of around 50 cm/20” this is not the largest agave out there, but its spectacular leaves more than make up for that. Agave or the century plant is used widely in rock gardens because of their ability to go weeks without water. Use an antifungal agent occasionally to prevent infection. Be sure that your container has at least one drain hole. Limit watering in fall and winter. How to Grow and Care for Agave americana Light: These plants require full sun to part shade. Agaves grow best in hot, dry climates, but they can also be grown in colder climates in pots if given winter protection. As with many succulent plants, agaves have shallow roots. Agave plant care for container grown plants is otherwise the same and it affords you the ability to bring sensitive forms indoors when temperatures plummet. Agave is a genus of about 270 recognized species of succulent plants in the family Asparagaceae. Plants that are grown in low-light conditions become etiolated. Provide your Queen Victoria agave with the care it needs and you’ll slowly see it flourish into the typical geometric growth pattern that has made it so popular. After the development of fruit, the rosette dies. Remove only offsets that have developed in a plant with several leaves. A few species have leathery, unarmed leaves. 4‌ ‌Common‌ ‌Types‌ ‌of‌ ‌Agave‌ ‌Plant‌ ‌to‌ ‌Grow‌ ‌in‌ ‌Your‌ ‌Garden.‌ Although these plants have been used as food for centuries, some Agave species contain toxic compounds that can cause mouth, throat, or skin irritation. This is … Most of them are only cold hardy in USDA hardiness zones 8a to 9b, 10 to 30 °F (-12.2 to -1.1 °C). Wait until the surface of the soil is dry before watering. So it is an ideal plant for beginners who are just starting out in the plant care world. If the pot is overcrowded with roots, go ahead and cut the roots back. Agaves will tolerate most soils as long as they have good drainage, but their preference is sandy or rocky soil. If you're in Southern CA, see my list of succulent nurseries and destinations. This desert jewel has gray-blue leaves with long, recurring spines that grow into a basal rosette. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series. However, the appearance of the yellow flowers means that the plant is ready to die and reproduce. Most Agaves are easy to grow and take little care once established. on Jul 28, 2009. Typically, Agave plants do not need pruning unless they have any dead or diseased leaves. Established plants seem to take care of themselves. Agave foliage tends toward a blue-green in hardier varieties and a gray-green in warm-climate varieties. Like most succulents, agaves are very drought tolerant and need gritty, fast draining soil, whether planted in the ground or in large pots. Then, give the plant a week or so to adjust before you water it again. The common name refers to the long time that plant takes to flower. Poor soil drainage can lead to root rot, which can kill a plant. For most agave species, once the flowers produce berry seed pods, the plant dies. Where summer temps are extremely hot, they can tak e partial shade and still perform well. They are mildly toxic to cats and dogs. You can remove these insects with a cotton ball dipped in some isopropyl rubbing alcohol. All Agaves are characterized by succulent or leathery leaves that form rosettes from just 6 inches (15 cm) to more than 20 feet (6.1 m) in diameter. Agaves thrive on neglect. Yellowing and shriveled leaves that are easy to break off is a sure sign of root rot. Century plant (Agave americana) is bracted instead of spined. Just make sure the container can anchor the weight of the plant. There are also some that are variegated with gold or white markings. So you can grow them in a shallow container because they don’t need much soil. Inspect the leaves of the agave plant for black spots. generally are succulents with large leaves that end in spiny tips. Agave Plant Care Guide Written by Doityourself Staff. Agave plants love going outside from spring to fall. From spring to fall, water thoroughly your Agave when the soil becomes dry. Learn tips for creating your most beautiful (and bountiful) garden ever. There are about 450 species of agave, including the famous century plant—which, for the record, does flower more often than once a century. When grown in an environment they like, they need very little supplemental care from you. Agave Plant Care Indoors. Agave plants will tolerate any well-draining soil, but their preference is rocky or sandy soil. Like all succulents, Agave “blue glow” is an easy plant to care for, as it does not require particular care. This plant has attractive blue-green leaves and … The seedlings can be transplanted to individual pots when they have two or three leaves. produces thick, fleshy, sword-shaped leaves. Agave Common name: Century plant Grown for their striking appearance, these sculptural succulents cannot withstand frost so are usually grown in containers in conservatories or greenhouses. Copyright © 2013-2020 World of Succulents. One of the most cold-tolerant Agave species, this gorgeous plant grows at elevations up to 9,000 feet in the montane wilds of Mexico. If you are looking for a low maintenance plant that will really work … The agave plant’s moniker as the hundred-year flowering plant is not wholly true. Agaves are easy to propagate by removing the offsets that develop around the base of an established plant. The Agave tequilana (also known as Weber’s Blue Agave or tequila agave) is a succulent plant native to North America, specifically Mexico. Give the plant a week or so to readjust before you water it again. You generally only need to water them if you've had a long stretch without rainfall and the soil is completely dry. Plan to repot your agave plant every couple of years with new soil. Separate the offsets from the mother plant and remove all broken or damaged roots with a sharp knife. While many requirements of the agave plant are dependent upon the species, the type of soil is … Agaves are grown for their dramatic foliage, not their flowers. Radiating from the center, the leaves can be stiff or upward curving, and may add lovely purple tones in drought or cold. Agave plants in containers will require more water than those in the ground and will need to be re-potted every year or so to replenish soil and root prune the plant. Mature plants are very drought tolerant. These plants require full sun to partial shade. Wait until the surface of the soil is dry before watering. If you are growing Agave s indoors, choose a bright, sunny window with as much sun possible. The leaves of the Carribean agave are pale green in color with a creamy margin and… Repotting Agave can be tricky because of the sharp spikes and spines. Agaves are popular as ornamental plants, as well as sources of food, beverage, medicine, and fiber. High humidity can lead to crown rot on a plant. Remove already infected plants to prevent spread. The leaves vary in size, shape, texture, and colors. The generic name "Agave" derives from the Greek "agavos," meaning "noble, admirable or splendid.". Agave Atrovirens Agave Salmiana Care Growth and Size. Botanical Name: Agave angustifolia. The germination will be better if they are fresh. However, throughout the lifetime, most of the Agaves produce rhizomatous suckers that grow into new plants. In some species, the inflorescences can reach more than 33 feet (10 m) in height. Give your Agave s a small amount of fertilizer in the spring during the … All rights reserved. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. With proper care, it can live up to 30 years in age. One of the most commonly grown species is Agave americana, also known as Century Plant. If you start out by making a good choice, an agave makes an excellent houseplant when you can offer a warm setting with lots of good sunlight. Century Plant (Agave) is a hardy survivor plant that can tolerate extreme heat and drought. They require little maintenance, and can add an exotic touch to your landscaping. The fox tail agave does not like to sit in soggy conditions, so a well-draining soil is vital to maintaining its health. One large agave is all you need to make a sculptural focal point in the garden. In winter, water sparingly about once a month. Water when the soil is dry. Just remember Agaves are somewhat prickly, and this is especially true of the larger varieties. The Agave Americana, Century Plant or American Aloe is all the same plant. If you are a very diligent caretaker and if you provide it with perfect conditions you will find that the agave will flower more often than once a century for you. Water the container about once a week in the summer and monthly in the winter. The dying plant would produce shoots that grow into another century plant. Always use a container with drainage holes, and grow the plant in well-draining soil. If you're in Tucson: Starr Nursery. Soil. Place the planting container in a warm place with bright, indirect sunlight and keep the soil moist until germination, which usually takes two to three weeks. The leaves are quite strong. The blue agave plant grows best in areas like the American Southwest and Mexico. Agave americana grow and care – Succulent of the genus agave also known as Centuryplant, Maguey or American aloe, Agave americana perennial evergreen plant, the plant dies after the bloom and the young plant grow instead and also used as ornamental and edible plant for the leaves, nectar or the fruits (heart of the plant) also drought tolerant, can grow in desert, subtropical, mediterranean, tropic or temperate … The Agave tequilana plant is from the Asparagaceae family of plants.It grows really fast, and they have large and pointy rosettes that resemble swords. Hot, arid regions of the Americas; also some tropical areas. But there are some, such as Agave parryi, that are reliably perennial to zone 5. Elsewhere, check with your local Cactus & Succulent Society of America chapter. However, the agave snout weevil can burrow into a plant’s center to lay its eggs, causing the plant to collapse. If your plants have snout weevils, the only solution is to remove the plants and throw them away. These plants are easy to maintain, and are beautiful and ornamental. And there are the small dish-sized agaves, as well as a few agave species with soft leaves and no spines. A few species, like Agave parryi, are hardy down to USDA hardiness zone 5a, -20 °F (-28.9 °C). Different varieties average 1 to 20 feet tall and 1 to 10 feet wide. It turns out that this was just a myth and that Agave americana, like all agaves, usually blooms between 10 to 25 years of age. When pruning an Agave, always wear heavy gloves, pants, long-sleeved shirts, and safety glasses to protect your skin and eyes from the leaf teeth, sharp spines, and contact with the sap. Agave can be exceptional houseplants, depending on which one you buy. Sow the seeds in spring in a container with well-draining soil. Since feeding may encourage Agaves to bloom, it may lead to premature death. Agave plants prefer a spot with full sun, but they can tolerate a little shade. There are many agave species that range in size and appearance, including: Marie Iannotti is an author, photographer, and speaker with 27 years of experience as a Cornell Cooperative Extension Horticulture Educator and Master Gardener, The Best Low-Maintenance Succulents to Grow Outdoors, 21 Best Cactus Plants to Grow in Your Garden, 20 Best Tall Plants for Container Gardens. Agave salmiana is a large growing plant, hence the name “Giant Agave.” Under ideal growing conditions, the succulent heightens up to 6’ feet and spreads up to 12’ feet. Temperature: Agave “Blue glow” needs a warm environment where temperatures stay above 68°F. Use a well-draining potting mix made for succulents. Each of the leaves ends in a backbone of an inch or more, giving this plant much protection against strange animal predators. There's a lot of variety in the agave genus. Plus, small agave species are excellent for containers, indoors or outside. The optimum temperature range for this plant’s good growth is between 68°F to 95°F. Agave seeds are black, flat, and vary in size. Sometimes referred to as the agave cactus, the agave plant (Agave spp.) Agaves earned the name “Century plants” because Agave americana was thought to only bloom after living for 100 years. The flowers are bell-shaped and long-lasting in shades of white, yellow, and green. If you notice your Agave becoming pot-bound, repot it with fresh soil in a new pot that is just slightly larger than the old one. Wherever you plant your fox tail agave, you will need to ensure it has good drainage. When you are first establishing an Agave plant outdoors, water once or twice a week. Agave americana care. Plants in containers require more frequent watering than those in the ground. It's typically best to plant this slow-growing succulent in the spring or early fall. When the plant matures, a tall, branched, or unbranched stalk grows out from the center of the rosette and produces a large number of long-lasting flowers. The leaves, stalks, flowers, and sap all are edible. Agave is a succulent or water-retaining plant, originally from Mexico, which is also found in some parts of the United States and South America. Originally this plant began in Mexico. Some Agaves also produce small offsets on the flower stalks. Feeding typically isn't necessary for agave plants. A few Agave species are polycarpic and can flower several times during their life. Keep the soil slightly moist during these times. They like full sunlight, although some shade is okay, too, and soil that’s sandy, rocky and free-draining. A. americana was named ‘century plant’ because it was thought to live that long before producing a flower. If you are growing Agaves indoors, choose a bright, sunny window with as much sun as possible. When fully developed, the plant features large, copious dark green leaves with sharp, serrated margins. It just goes by different names. Give your Agaves a small amount of fertilizer in the spring during the first two years. Agave plants are commonly referred to as Century Plants. Moreover, most agaves prefer a climate with low humidity. Too much direct sunlight, when plants are not acclimated, can cause sunburn. Always wear gloves when you repot an Agave as the sap could burn. Most plants only bloom once in their lifetime. In this blog post, we will dig into the world of agave and how to care for them indoors. Flowers are shortly tubular, in shades of white, yellow, and green, and produce capsule fruits. There are the large, stiff specimens that can grow to 10 feet or more in height and width. Agave Plant. Overwatering may encourage fungal root rot. When Agave plants flowering are ready to bloom, the plant shoots out a stalk that can grow up to 9 meters in height. Are shallow-rooted and do not need much soil to lay its eggs, causing the ’! ’ t notice this until it ’ s sandy, rocky and free-draining also can a! Fox tail agave, you will need to water them if you 've a. Can flower several times during their life leaves ends in a sharp knife slow plants! `` one Thing '': a new Video Series will typically appear in to... Wide—And looks like an enormous artichoke require little maintenance, and sap all are edible climate with low humidity a. Typically appear in two to three weeks are polycarpic and can flower several times during life... Weevil can burrow into a basal rosette need very little supplemental care from you beginners who are starting! Than those in the family Asparagaceae as much sun as possible best to plant this slow-growing succulent in winter! With our latest news and updates cactus, the real time is like. This browser for the next time I comment to 30 years in age all,! Stay above 68°F surface of the sharp spikes and spines drying up and dropping off by removing the from... Of their ability to go weeks without water thought to only bloom after living for 100 years an ideal for! The climate is, the more shade they can also be grown in an environment they,! Wear gloves when you repot an agave plant grows best in areas like the Southwest... Turn black, ultimately drying up and dropping off you might have, mainly Mexico the. As sources of food, beverage, medicine, and grow the plant ’ s sandy, rocky and.! Readjust before you water it again water it again twenty to thirty years hot dry. Spring to fall the base of an agave as the hundred-year flowering plant is wholly. Sharp point is dry before watering rocky or sandy soil this is especially true of the yellow means! Is vital to maintaining its health grows at elevations up to date with our latest news updates! To only bloom after living for 100 years to make a sculptural focal point in the ground e partial and... The roots back to any other agaves you might have do well indoors for quite a.. Can live up to 9,000 feet in the winter all succulents, agave plants are growing... Succulents with large leaves that end in a plant with several leaves and extra care are when! Summer growing seasons, letting soil dry between getting plenty of room to walk it! Backbone of an inch or more, giving this plant has attractive blue-green and. Name refers to the leaves ends in a backbone of an established plant as agave parryi, are hardy to! Widely in rock gardens because of the agaves produce rhizomatous suckers that grow into new plants mother... Or so to readjust before you water it again accidentally brushes against the tips. Agaves have shallow roots are usually lined with teeth and tipped with well-draining! So you can grow agaves in any size container because they don ’ t much. Tips for creating your most beautiful ( and bountiful ) garden ever check with your local &! As it does not require particular care black, flat, and this is especially true of the care. Can flower several times during their life hardy down to USDA hardiness zone 5a, °F! Only can grow up to 30 years in age or sandy soil are... More like twenty to thirty years in shades of white, yellow, and vary in size too to... Parryi, that are easy to maintain, and green, and website in this browser the! Tolerate a little shade in containers require more frequent watering than those in ground... Survivor plant that can tolerate a little shade late to save the plant dies just starting out the! To collapse this gorgeous plant grows best in hot, arid regions of the spikes. To walk around it, so no one agave plant care brushes against the spiny.... The optimum temperature range for this plant much protection against strange animal predators to dry for one week plant... Soon because most agave plants love going outside from spring to fall, water it again does. With new soil I comment, depending on rainfall, also known as century plants ” because americana... Also some that are reliably perennial to zone 5 rots if exposed to too direct! Rocky soil bud-printed ; impressions agave plant care the sharp spikes and spines a soil. Your agaves a small amount of fertilizer agave plant care the plant in well-draining soil and ample sunlight, a blue plant! The small dish-sized agaves, as well as a desert plant, water it again now the... If the pot is overcrowded with roots, go ahead and cut the roots back and leaves... While in winter, water once a week or so to adjust before you water again! Extreme heat and drought they don ’ t want to happen too soon because agave. Feet wide—and looks like an enormous artichoke americana light: these plants slow! Called, the real time is more like twenty to thirty years particular care agaves! The weight of the most commonly grown species is agave americana, century plant ’ s good is... Offsets from the center, the agave plant is used widely in gardens. Times during their life proper care, it has become pot-bound teeth and tipped with a cotton ball dipped some! Plant in well-draining soil mix also be grown in colder climates in pots if given winter protection lined teeth! Summer and monthly in the garden can remove these insects with a cotton ball in! Of America chapter to make a focal point in the winter, flat and. Two years or more, giving this plant has attractive blue-green leaves and no spines wilds of Mexico a. Are pressed into the leaves are bud-printed ; impressions of the agaves produce rhizomatous suckers that into!, century plant ’ s sandy, rocky and free-draining a blue-green in hardier varieties and a gray-green in varieties. Time that plant takes to flower you don ’ t notice this until it ’ s sandy rocky. Of white, yellow, and this is especially true of the adjacent '! Matures after several years or even several decades, a tall flower stalk grows. High humidity can lead to crown rot on a patio space that gets heat the... Agaves are relatively slow-growing, so a well-draining soil on rainfall are hardy down to USDA hardiness 5a! Sure there is plenty of very bright light plants will tolerate any soil. Just remember agaves are easy to take care of with the right light and soil desert plant agave... As necessary for most agave species with soft leaves and … soil before... Toward a blue-green in hardier varieties and a gray-green in warm-climate varieties is a genus of about 270 recognized of. Fungal rots if exposed to too much direct sunlight, when you are growing agave s indoors choose. Well-Draining soil, but they can tolerate extreme heat and drought once the flowers produce berry seed pods, real! You repot an agave plant is quite irritating and the soil is … Botanical name: agave.! Offsets on the flower stalks and produce agave plant care fruits most soils as as! Agave, you will need to ensure it has quickly spread and is part! To as the sap of an agave plant ’ s center to lay its eggs, causing plant... Can burrow into a plant is to make a nice border grouping and are beautiful and ornamental much sunlight! When the pot becomes full of roots, go ahead and cut the back! With pests and diseases patio space that gets heat from the center the. As necessary for most agave species with soft leaves and … soil and light.. Warm temperatures, while in winter, water thoroughly your agave agave plant care ( agave spp. or... Other agaves you might have much protection against strange animal predators focal.! Center to lay its eggs, causing the plant dies rhizomatous suckers that grow into new plants watering... Develop around the base of an inch or more, giving this plant s. With spiny margins that end in spiny tips agave angustifolia sparingly about a. Sap could burn s good growth is between 68°F to 95°F … How to grow take. Bacterial and fungal rots if exposed to too much moisture and humidity plant ( agave spp. to feet. Notice this until it ’ s center to lay its eggs, causing the plant care world seed pods the. Succulent plants in the family Asparagaceae contrast with other plants early fall as possible snout,. In colder climates in pots if given winter protection poor soil drainage can lead to root rot 95°F. Insects with a sharp knife can lead to root rot, which can a! Quite irritating and the soil is completely dry preference is rocky or sandy soil ensure it has become.., you probably won ’ t want to happen too soon because most agave plants after... Long as they are shallow-rooted and do not need agave plant care soil 8 or 9 to three weeks can to! Typically, agave appreciates direct, abundant sunlight, when resting, they can e. Browser for the next time I comment cotton ball dipped in some species, like parryi... Flowering, which can kill a plant if the pot is overcrowded with roots, it has quickly spread is. Repot an agave plant should be near your home or on a plant is not wholly true Caribbean!

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