Agave Houseplant Care - Growing Agave As A Houseplant

Agave plants need plenty of sunlight. If you are growing agave plants indoors, choose a bright, sunny window with as much sun possible. A south- or west-facing window works very well. Keep your agave sufficiently watered, and always water completely, making sure the soil is at least half dry before watering again.

Can agave be an indoor plant?

Agave (Agave spp.) is a group of succulent plants that thrive in areas with warm temperatures and full sun all day. ... Because agaves are slow-growers, however, if you can provide it with the high amount of sunlight it requires, it can be grown indoors year-round.

Can agave plants grow in pots?

Agaves grown in pots need a soil that will dry out slowly but offer good drainage. Use a combination of equal parts compost; good potting mix or garden soil; and either gravel, pumice, or sharp sand. Do not use peat moss; its acidity and its water-holding properties are not desirable for growing agaves.

How do you take care of an agave plant?

Agaves need full sun and gritty soil that percolates easily. They can even do quite well when potted but use an unglazed clay pot that will allow evaporation of excess moisture. Water needs are moderate to light depending upon the heat of the season but the plants should be allowed to dry out before irrigation.

How long do agave plants live?

There are over 250 agave species and most flower towards the end of their life and then die. Actually, the length of time an agave lives is largely dependent on the species. In my experience in the managed landscapes, most agave live approximately 5 – 15 years, once planted from a 5-gallon container.

How often should I water agave?

Agaves require little attention to thrive. Water the plant every 4-5 days for the first month or two. After established, agaves need only be watered 2-3 times a month in summer, or more if you're in a low desert location.

Do agave plants need full sun?

Agave plants prefer a spot with full sun, but they can tolerate a little shade. The hotter the climate is, the more shade they can handle.

Are agave plants toxic to dogs?

Agave (Agave spp.), which grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 to 11, is mildly toxic to dogs and humans when ingested.

How often do agave plants bloom?

A: The century plant, Agave americana, is monocarpic, meaning it will bloom once in its lifetime. That bloom may not appear for 10, 20 or more years, depending on the climate. Many species in the genus Agave flower just once, although there are a few that are repeat bloomers.

Can agave get too much water?

Don't give them too much water – they can't hold it.” Agaves need excellent drainage; if their roots stand in water or get too much moisture, they'll rot. ... Planted in sandy soil and gravel, agaves appreciate desertlike surroundings for their roots.

Is agave plant poisonous to humans?

University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources characterizes agave as being mildly toxic. It describes the plant as having oxalate crystals in its leaves, which can cause extreme irritation.

What animal eats agave?

Mexican tequila, has been made for centuries in central Mexico from fermented and distilled agave juice. The stalks are eaten by deer, squirrels, and many other animals, and the flower nectar is consumed by hummingbirds and bats in exchange for pollination.

Can you cut agave and replant?

Agaves and other plants that produce clone offshoots or “pups” are very easy and rewarding to divide and transplant. You can make your gardening budget go farther with a little effort and patience by including them in your garden design, or if you've run out of room, they can even make great gifts!

Are agave plants expensive?

According to an industry survey by Taste Tequila, the plant can cost as much as 25 pesos ($1.31) per kilogram, up from 2 pesos (10 cents) in 2012. In Jalisco, Mexico, ground zero for growing agave, farmers are struggling to keep up.

Do agave die after they bloom?

American agave plants are known for their fairly fatalistic life cycles: live, die, repeat. After blooming, the plants are expected to die shortly thereafter, usually leaving behind clones of themselves in the form of seeds.

Why is my agave plant yellowing?

A: Two things come to mind when agave is yellowing during early to mid-summer: watering too often or agave weevil. May, June and July are the months we see yellowing of the tops and death from agave weevil. Because you mentioned so many plants are affected, watering too often may be the problem.

Why are my blue agave dying?

Agave is VERY tough and if one is dying it is either due to continued soggy wet soil conditions (poor drainage and overwatering) or to the agave weevil, an insect that tunnels in the base, essentially severing the top from the roots.

Why are my agave leaves curling?

The Agave Americana may look fine one day and show no signs of stress and quickly the base leaves begin to droop and curl under. Snout nose weevil infestations usually don%u2019t become apparent until much damage has occurred and it is too late to save the plant.

Where does agave grow best?

Agaves grow best in the Southwest and Mediterranean climates, but are adaptable and can also be grown out of their zones in pots if given winter protection.

How fast does blue agave?

Agave plants take six to 10 years to mature, depending on soil, weather and environmental conditions. Most are harvested between 8-10 years but if the sugar content is high enough, some producers will harvest them earlier.

How deep do agave roots go?

As a rule the roots are fibrous and remain in the top 24-36" of soil, spreading out as the plant matures so it's likely that a 30' agave will have a roots within a 40' circle and probably 2 or 3 feet deep.