Agave (a-GAH-vee) is a perennial succulent that’s native to Mexico. It’s found in arid regions in the Caribbean and the Americas. The genus Agave, of the family Asparagaceae, contains over 200 species. Most of these species have a wide range of economical importance.
Agave americana is one of the most popular species, commonly known as:
- American aloe
- Maguey
- Century plant
Other common agave plants include Foxtail Agave (Agave attenuata), Blue Agave (Agave tequilana), Caribbean Agave (Agave angustifolia), and Octopus Agave (Agave vilmoriniana).
Size & Growth
Agaves are large specimens that can easily exceed ten feet after a few years. However, this will depend on which species you choose to grow.
For example, a mature Agave salmiana is generally 3’ feet tall, whereas Agave parryi can grow up to 20” inches tall.
In short, agaves can grow anywhere from one foot to over 20 feet. The foliage also varies from one species to another. Most foliage is green, although you’ll find other species with blue or gold foliage.
Flowering and Fragrance
Agaves aren’t really known for their flowers. If you’re interested in growing agaves, get ready for some dramatic foliage.
Some species do bloom after several years. However, agaves generally take over a decade to start blooming. This is why agave sweeteners are extremely expensive.
Light & Temperature
Agaves like the sun. They’ll need at least five hours of direct sunlight to thrive. Some shade won’t hurt, but this generally depends on the climate.
Most agaves won’t survive cooler climates. They need hot climates with little humidity. Although some species, like Agave parryi, can grow in USDA zone 5, the majority can only grow in zones 8 or 9.
Watering and Feeding
Agaves don’t require frequent watering to thrive. In the first couple of months, you should water them every four or five days.
Once Agave plants are established, you only need to water them twice a month. If you’re in a low desert area, you should water them three to four times a month.
You don’t need to feed agave any specialized plant food. However, using succulent plant food can be beneficial during the growth phase.
Soil & Transplanting
Although propagating agaves is fairly easy, transplanting isn’t. These plants don’t transplant well, which is why choosing the rooting medium is especially important.
You can transplant agaves by preparing a similar rooting medium with fast-draining soil. Make sure you place the shovel beneath the root system and scoop it whole. Place the root system at the same depth as the previous soil. You can use sulphur powder on any wounds to prevent infections.
Grooming And Maintenance
Agaves usually require minimal care to thrive. Occasional grooming can improve the overall appearance. However, you should be careful not to remove any healthy leaves. Heavy pruning can cause the whole plant to die.
When grooming, make sure you only remove damaged leaves or dead flower stalks. Don’t forget to sanitize the pruning saw with rubbing alcohol to prevent infection. Cut as close to the origin as you can, but avoid nicking the base or any surrounding leaves.
Finally, make a habit of cutting at a slight angle. This will facilitate water runoff and enable you to easily wipe off any oozing.
How To Propagate Agave Plant
Once the plant matures, look for small offsets on its base. These offsets are called “pups,” and you can use them for propagation using a simple procedure.
First, gently wiggle the pups, one by one, until they release from the plant. Make sure you leave a small part of the stem attached to the pups. Otherwise, the roots won’t develop.
You can place the pups in the garden, in small containers, or in individual pots. Don’t forget to plant them using cactus soil.
If you’re planting the pups in small containers, you can keep them for up to a year before you transplant them into another rooting medium.
Agave Plant Pests or Diseases
The most common pest infestations come from snout weevils, cactus longhorn beetles, and soft scales.
Perhaps the most dangerous pest to agaves is the snout weevil. The female snout weevil eats through the base and starts laying eggs during the spring. Some microbes enter the wound and start infecting the plant. However, most of the damage occurs when the eggs start to hatch.
The larvae will eat through the core of the plant, causing it to collapse. They’re also able to travel to other plants quickly and infect them as well.
You can tell your agaves are infected when you start noticing brown spots and withering leaves. If you detect signs of infestation early enough, you can save the plants using a broad-spectrum insecticide.
Finally, agave plants are susceptible to Anthracnose, Phyllosticta leaf spots, and root rot. An antifungal agent can save healthy plants, but you must eliminate any infected ones to curb the spread.
Suggested Agave Plant Uses
Agaves can be grown indoors and outdoors. You can grow them in your garden or keep them in pots around the house.
If you’re planning on growing them in pots, they’ll need grit and small pebbles so they can drain better. You’ll also need to repot them every year and water them more frequently than outdoors.