Want
to learn to grow Agave??
Overview
and Description:
At
first glance, you probably wouldn’t called agave plants rosettes. So many of
the common ones are spiny succulents, with leaves that
jut out in often dangerous looking spikes. There is actually a lot of variety
in the agave genus. There are the large, stiff specimens that can grow to 20
feet in diameter. There are also small dish-sized agaves and agave plants with
soft leaves and no spines. Most have leaves that do end in a sharp point.
Leaves:
Agaves are all stemless, or nearly so, with strappy, succulent leaves that end
in sharp points. Foliage tends toward a blue-green in hardier varieties and a
gray-green in warm climate varieties. There are also some that are variegated varieties
with gold or white markings.
Flowers:
When the plant matures, a tall, flower-stalk grows out of the plant’s center.
The flowers are bell-shaped and long lasting, in shades of white, yellow and
green. For most agave species, once the flowers produce the berry seed pods,
the plant dies. But this can take years.
Botanical Name:
Agave
Common Name(s):
Sometimes
referred to as the Century Plant, although that name is specific to Agave
americana
Hardiness:
Most
are not very frost hardy, but there are agaves, like Agave parryi, that
are hardy to USDA Zone 5, but most are only hardy in Zones 8 or 9 and up.
Light Exposure:
Full sun to partial shade
Mature Size:
Varies
from a few inches to 20+ feet in diameter.
Bloom Period:
Agaves
bloom once, at maturity. That can be anywhere from 5 to 40 years. They tend to
bloom earlier in cultivation than they would in the wild. Most plants die after
flowering.
Design Tips:
One
large agave is all that is needed to make a sculptural focal point. Just make
sure there is lenty of room to walk around it, so no one gets stabbed. They can
also make a great border grouping, either by planting several of the same
species or a tapestry of different varieties. They are textural and sculptural
and make a vivid contract with other plants. Pairing them with ornamental
grasses softens their hard edges. In really warm
climates, agave are popular around pools and patios. Their leaves don’t brown
and drop frequently and they stay attractive all year. I’d suggest using a
spineless variety, like the Foxtail Agave (Agave attenuata). Smaller
agave plants are excellent for containers, indoor or outside.
Suggested Varieties:
Agave attenuata
- A popular spineless variety also known as the Foxtail or Dragon-Tree Agave.
Grows about 4 - 5 feet tall and a bit wider.
Agave parviflora
- Leaves have white, graphic markings and curlng filaments that give it a hairy
look. It only gets about 6 in. Tall and blooms in 6 - 8 years with green
flowers on a 4 - 6 ft. spike.
Agave tequilana azul
- Weber's Blue Agave is used to make a tequila, in Jalisco, Mexico, but it is
also a very attractive garden plant, reaching upwards of 6 ft. tall and
flowering in 6 - 8 years with a 15 ft. spike of yellow blooms.
Agave victoria-reginae
- As the plant matures, the broad leaves cup inward, forming a dome. Reaches a
height of about 12 in.. Cream flowers appear in 20 - 30 years
Growing
Tips:
Agaves
thrive on neglect. They grow quickly and remain attractive all year.
Propagation: Since it can take years
for agaves to produce seed, most are propagated by off sets or tissue culture.
Soil: Agave will tolerate any
well-draining soil, but their preference is rocky or sandy soil. They are not
particular about soil pH.
Water: When you are first
establishing a plant outdoors, water it every 4 - 5 days for the first month.
Then once a week, gradually spacing watering to every other week, depending on
the weather.
Feeding: Don’t. Agaves seem to
take care of themselves. Feeding encourages flowering, which you don’t want to
happen too soon.
Growing in Containers:
Container Grown Agaves: As with many succulent plants, agaves are shallow
rooted. You can grow them in any size container, because they don’t need allot
of soil. Use a well-draining soil. You can mix your own with something like 2 -
3 parts potting mix and 1 part gravel.
Repot container grown plants
every couple of years, with new soil. Agaves can produce sucker roots. If the
pot is overly crowed with roots, go ahead and cut it back to size. Give the
plant a week or so to readjust, before you water it again.
Water about once a week in the summer and
monthly in the winter, when the surface of the soil is dry. Plants in
containers or in dry conditions may need more frequent water, but agaves are
very forgiving.
Want
to grow Agave indoors?
Agave can be
exceptional houseplants, depending on which one you buy. There are about 450
species of agave, including the famous century plant (which, for the record,
does flower more often than once a century). As desert plants, agave appreciate
direct, abundant sunlight and very light water. They are slow-growing, so even
specimens that grow into large plants can be kept inside for a period of time
before they outgrow the room. Agave are not very "people friendly;"
their sap tends to be irritating and most of them feature truly intimidating
spines on their leaves that make brushing against them a painful adventure.
Light: Bright sunlight year-round. Consider moving your plants
outside during the summer, where they can enjoy full sunlight, and make sure
they get plenty of winter light.
Water: In spring, water with warm water just as the soil begins to dry out. Don't let the soil become completely dry. In the winter and fall, when growth is suspended, water very lightly.
Temperature: They prefer warm spring and summer temperatures (70-90ºF) and cooler fall and winter temps (50-60ºF).
Soil: Use standard succulent or cacti potting mix.
Fertilizer: Feed in spring and summer; do not feed during fall and winter.
Water: In spring, water with warm water just as the soil begins to dry out. Don't let the soil become completely dry. In the winter and fall, when growth is suspended, water very lightly.
Temperature: They prefer warm spring and summer temperatures (70-90ºF) and cooler fall and winter temps (50-60ºF).
Soil: Use standard succulent or cacti potting mix.
Fertilizer: Feed in spring and summer; do not feed during fall and winter.
Grower's Tips:
Agave is not a difficult plant to grow. They're
slow-growing and dramatic and will even thrive on a some neglect. If you're the
type of person who likes to fuss with houseplants and water a lot, agave might
not be the plant for you. If, however, you're the type of person who likes to
set it and forget it, and you have a sunny window, agave might the way to go.
Be aware that some of the large varieties will eventually outgrow your room
(unless you have a large greenhouse), and agave can be aggressive. They have
irritating sap and sometimes very sharp thorns that can cause injuries to small
children and even pets. Unitl next time...Happy Gardening!!
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