succulent > AGAVE

IN THIS GUIDE

AGAVE GUIDES

potted agave plants of different varieties growing outside in front of a garden

Agave succulent can be interesting houseplant and , though they are frost - pinnace , can be used in summer turn in schemes or in enceinte containers outside over the summertime calendar month .

If you are looking for a statement plant for a conservatory or other bright indoor locations , for a greenhouse , or for a summer bedding outline or container garden , then Agave could be a good plant life to consider .

These interesting succulents make a spectacular show with their gravid rosettes of heavy leave .

a young agave plant growing in a pot with a stony mulch

They may be used out of doors for xeriscaping ( ironic - mood planting ) in more waterless parts in the south of the UK .

However , they are more commonly grow as houseplant , or as container plants which are placed outside only during the summer months .

Overview

PreferredFull Sun

ExposureSheltered

Height0.15 – 1.5 M

large agave plants with large leaves growing outside in a dry arid landscape

Spread0.15 – 1.5 M

Bloom TimeSummer

PreferredSand or Loam

a spiky agave plant growing in a container sat inside on a tiled floor

MoistureWell - drained

pHAcidic or electroneutral

Agave is a genus of monocot industrial plant mostly aboriginal to arid and hot region of North and South America.1Schoellhorn , R. , & Richardson , A. ( n.d.).Warm Climate Production Guidelines For Agave . University of Florida . Retrieved March 9 , 2023 , fromhttps://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/floriculture/pdfs/crop_production/Agave_ENHFL04-007.pdf

lots of short but widely spread agave plants growing outside on a rocky surface with a large building in the background

Along withthe related yucca industrial plant , Agaves are democratic decorative works outdoors in blistering , teetotal mood and are pop houseplants or summer outdoor plants in temperate zones .

Agavesgrow very easy and are often also referred to by the name ‘ century plants ’ .

Agaves are succulents , storing water in their magnanimous , heavy leaves , which typically form in large rosette of sharp - cutting , rigid foliation .

a close-up of smooth Century Plant leaves with various green hues

Funnel - shaped flowers can form in raceme or panicles which often rise much tall than the rose window of succulent leaves .

“ These types of plants , where ejaculate is set once follow by death , are known as monocarpic , ” says Master Horticulturist Colin Skelly .

“ For large Agave , such asA. americana , a mature works can produce a flower halt up to 8 metre in length – a spectacular manner to end its biography bike .

a potted agave americana plant with white and green spiky leaves growing on some gravel

“ The jaundiced - light-green flowers are hugely attractive to pollinators ( you ’ll be able to hear them but not see them unless you have a foresightful run ) .

“ But be warn – from bitter experience – the clay of large Agaves are not leisurely to take ! ”

Most often , Agaves have leafage which are a grayish - green , sometimes with creamy white or xanthous margin .

agave americana succulents growing outside in a very dry environment with blue sky in the background

Why Grow Agave?

While Agave is typically just grown for its interesting architectural manakin in the UK , in its native ranges this is a industrial plant with many uses .

Commercially , Agaves have long been grow for their fibres ( sisal hemp ) and are used to make alcoholic drink , such as tequila.2MasterClass . ( 2021 , March 4).How Is Tequila Made ? The 6 Steps of bring in Tequila . Retrieved March 9 , 2023 , fromhttps://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-is-tequila-made

Agave americanaalso has edible uses , as the heart of the plant is very rich in saccharine and can be use up when baked.3Agave americana . ( n.d . ) . Plants for a Future . regain March 9 , 2023 , fromhttps://pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Agave+americana

small potted agave houseplant with brown on the edges of its leaves

However , since harvesting the heart of the plant will kill it , this is not something that home growers will usually need to consider .

Experimental nurseryman may though be concerned in tapping the flora for sap , which is used as a syrup or fermented to make alcoholic drinks.4Panchal , B. ( 2023 , March 9).Why Agave Syrup is A Great Vegan Substitute For Honey . Holland & Barrett . Retrieved March 9 , 2023 , fromhttps://www.hollandandbarrett.com/the-health-hub/food-drink/food/honey/agave-syrup-vegan-substitute-for-honey/

One thing to observe if you plan on growing Agave is thatthe very discriminating leavescan easily cut the unwary , and they should be carefully sited .

a century plant growing in a pot with short spiky leaves, some of which have turned brown at the ends

Common Varieties

distinctive varieties of Agave grown in the UK let in :

These varieties have different forms and appearances , but all like broadly like status to each other , and toother similar succulentsthat you might grow in your home or garden .

Where To Grow Agave

Agave works all require lovesome to spicy , sunny conditions and very costless - draining grime .

When grow in the ground over the summer months good drain will be overriding , and the soil fence the plants should not be too productive , and should never be permanently moist .

An acidic or neutral grime or spring up medium is best .

long smooth agave plant leaves growing from a grassy land outside with trees behind

A. americanaandA. parryiare the only two of these which can be fearless in extremely ardent and sheltered garden or in southerly parts of the UK , however , these are still unremarkably only H2 intrepid and will not survive a freeze .

In a few very limited situation it may be potential to develop these outdoors ( perhaps with some winter protection ) throughout the whole of the twelvemonth .

Winter wet is normally more of an issue than temperature in such a situation .

a huge agave plant growing in a garden bed with a white painted wall in the background

plant on a mound or bank can help forestall water - logging which can make plants to decompose in wintertime .

Most Agaves farm in bed and borders , however , should be hoist and moved into a bright and Robert Frost - free undercover location or indoors over the winter months .

Container plant placed outdoorsshould also be bring hush-hush or indoors well before the first frosts .

a young century plant that has been potted with gravel

When grow Agave in a pot , as most people in the UK will do , using a cactus compost or other very destitute drain potting mix is important .

A typicalgood - timbre potting mixwith mass of backbone added for drainage can also work well .

Make certain that you choose a suitable container , which will not retain too much wet and will take into account weewee to drain very freely through the holes at the base .

a collection of succulent houseplants growing in white pots inside in front of a window

The containers can often be placed alfresco in summer , but can also be grown indoors as houseplants throughout the year .

originate under glass is usually in effect for most Agave in the UK , but retrieve that Agave succulents should be placed in as illumination and bright a post as possible , as they enjoy take in wad of light ( as much lighter as possible ! ) throughout the yr .

Planting

Agave plants can be purchased and planted in containers indoors at any time of the twelvemonth , or outdoors in your garden from late springtime / former summer as presently as the weather has reliably warmed and all peril of frost has long passed .

check that that water can not sit around the base of the plants , as it will make rotting , and that any weewee can always debilitate away freely .

Planting Agave succulent at an angle can help oneself verify that water can drain aside freely .

long, tall agave plant with green leaves and yellow edges growing in front of a range of potted conifers

This is most important when Agave is maturate outdoors where there is natural rain , as you will not always have control over watering .

It can also be a good idea to place rocks or gravel around the base of the plant after planting , as this will further help in battle any drainage yield .

In a strong , sunny and sheltered garden , which can be kept fitly ironical and free - draining in winter , Agave can be turn alongside a number of other hardy succulent .

magnified view of an agave plant leaf covered in water droplets

For example , in a ironic garden scheme , you might spring up Agaves with other large arid climate plant such as Dasylirion , Nolina and Yucca .

Agave in a container can be a great increase to a succulent collection which contain a wide potpourri of other succulents , bromeliads and cacti which are commonly grown as houseplants in the UK .

Agave Care

Agaves can be very low - upkeep plant where they are grown in suitable conditions .

However , extra care will be required when it comes to the avoidance of over - watering , as this plant , like many other succulents , will not stick out damp or waterlogged condition for any distance of time .

Agave should be water middling over the summertime months , but in the winter watering should be very sparing indeed .

some white and black pests crawling on the tip of an agave leaf

The plant will prefer to be kept almost entirely dry during the coldest month when they are not in active outgrowth .

Agaves in container should be fed with a balanced , organic smooth works feed every 2 - 3 week when they are in growth .

These succulents are usually fuss - devoid , though they can be round by pest such as musical scale insects , which excrete honeydew melon .

two agave plants in pots outside with grass and a building behind them

This mucilaginous substance can nurture the ontogeny of coal-black mould .

Agave should be potted when the plant become tidy sum - bound into a larger container .

check that to take upkeep whenever you are handling these sharp plants .

lots of small succulents being propagated in a black plastic tray

Agaves will often produce offsets , which can be potted up at any clip when they lift , usually in spring or fall .

If you place your Agave in a worthy location , and crucially , take tending of watering and drainage , you should find them relatively easy and straightforward plant to originate .

References