Agave.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Succulent

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 14 to 30 days

Mature size

3 to 10 feet

Growth rate

Slow

Hardiness

USDA 8 to 11

Bloom time

Late spring to summer

Care

Plant your agave in well draining soil and place it where it can soak up plenty of sun. Watch for mushy leaves, which indicate overwatering, or shriveling, which means it needs a drink. Ensure the pot has drainage holes to keep the roots happy.

Watering

Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings to prevent root rot.

Feeding

Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength during the growing season.

Pruning

Remove dead or damaged lower leaves as needed to maintain a tidy appearance.

Repotting

Repot only when the plant becomes rootbound or outgrows its current container.

Soil

Sandy, gritty, well draining cactus mix

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.5

Temperature

-7 to 45°C

Humidity

10 to 40%

Safety

People

The sap contains calcium oxalate crystals which cause skin irritation and mouth swelling if ingested.

Pets

Agave plants contain calcium oxalate crystals that can cause irritation and swelling if ingested by cats or dogs.

Children

The sharp, pointed tips of the leaves pose a significant puncture risk to small children.

Contact allergens

The sap can cause contact dermatitis, and the sharp spines can cause mechanical injury.

Airborne allergens

Pollen from the massive flower stalks can trigger seasonal allergies in sensitive individuals.

Edibility

The sap of many agave species can cause severe irritation if ingested or touched.

How to identify it

• Large, fleshy, succulent leaves
• Sharp terminal spines at leaf tips
• Rosette growth pattern
• Serrated or smooth leaf margins

Height

0.6 to 2m

Spread

0.6 to 2m

Leaves

blue, green, gray, evergreen

Flowers

yellow, green, white, 5 to 10cm

Fruit

brown, Autumn

Problems to watch for

• Agave snout weevil · Larvae bore into the base of the plant, causing it to collapse.
• Root rot · Fungal infection caused by overly wet soil conditions.

Growing it

Propagation

division, seed, cuttings

When to plant

spring, early summer

Group plants with similar low water needs to prevent accidental overwatering of your agave.

Grows well with

• Desert Spoon · It shares similar water and light requirements.
• Ocotillo · It provides a nice structural contrast in a desert garden.

Similar species

• Aloe · Often confused due to succulent leaves, but aloe leaves are softer and lack terminal spines.
• Yucca · Shares a similar architectural form but has different flower structures.

Science

Family

Asparagaceae

Genus

Agave

Order

Asparagales

Class

Liliopsida

Native range

Americas, primarily Mexico and the southwestern United States.

Conservation

Some species are threatened in the wild due to habitat loss and overcollection for spirits production.

They thrive in arid environments by utilizing Crassulacean Acid Metabolism to conserve water.

Value to wildlife

nectar source

Pollinators

bees, moths, hummingbirds

Uses

ornamental, xeriscaping, fiber production

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Do I need to water my agave often?

No, they prefer to dry out completely between waterings.

Will my agave die after it blooms?

Yes, most agaves are monocarpic and will die after producing their massive flower spike.

Where the name comes from

The name comes from the Greek word agauos, meaning noble or admirable. The common name is simply the genus name.

Good to know

• Agaves are often called century plants because they take a long time to bloom.
• The fibers of some species are used to make rope and twine.
• They store water in their thick leaves to survive long droughts.

Also in

• Plants toxic to cats and dogs