Agaves, which are often mistaken as cacti, are actually succulent plants, that belong to the family Agavaceae. There are around 200 to 300 species of agaves, that are natives to Mexico, some parts of the United States and South America. Agaves are related to lily and amaryllis families. Most of the agave species are grown as ornamental plants and are very popular, as they require very little maintenance.
Agave Plant Facts
As mentioned earlier, many agave species are grown in gardens as well as houseplants. Most agave plants have thick fleshy leaves, that form rosettes. In general, these plants are low-growing shrubs with a very short stem. In most species, the leaves have marginal spines and a sharp terminal spine. Most of them flower once a year and the flowers develop on a tall stem that grows from the middle of the rosette. There are a few agave species, which can flower several times a year. However, most agave plants die after flowering, giving life to offspring, that develop from the base of the stem. The color, shape, size, may vary with species. The leaf color of these plants range from silvery gray, bluish-green and green. Some species have leaves with yellow or white stripes. In particular, blue agave plants, besides being expensive grow very slowly and are big in size, hence rarely kept as houseplants. However, agaves are perfect for gardens, rock gardens, green houses and as houseplants.
Planting an Agave
One of the most important requirements of an agave plant is dry soil with good drainage. If the soil is rocky, it will be the best option for planting an agave. Otherwise rich, loamy soil will also do, provided, it is well-drained. In case of houseplants, you have select pots with at least one drainage hole. It will be better to add some crushed gravel to the pot, before putting the potting mixture. The potting mixture can be made by mixing equal parts of soil and pumice. All you have to do is make a hole and plant your agave. While full sun is good for mature plants, it has been observed that young plants prefer filtered sun.
How to Care for an Agave Plant
Even though, agaves require very less water, right after planting, they need lots of water. You have to water these plants till they establish themselves. In dry climatic conditions, water them once or twice a month. In other conditions, water them only if the soil gets too dry for the plant to survive. However, avoid cold water for these plants. During winter, the plant gets dormant and it will be better to keep these plants in bright light and at a temperature level of 60 F. Fertilizing is usually not recommended for agave plants, as it may promote flowering, which leads to the death of the plant. However, small amounts of fertilizer can be used or young plants. The most commonly found pest in these plants is the agave snout weevil, that bore through the leaves and result in its death. In such cases, you can either use an insecticide meant for beetles and grubs or destroy the plant. Some types of fungus and mites may also attack agave plants, for which anti fungal treatments and miticides can be used.
If you don't have an agave, contact your local nursery and get one. It will be better to collect necessary information, regarding the requirements of the specific plant you choose.
