Often referred to as tequila cactus, blue agave (Agave tequilana) is more closely related to lilies than to cacti. When mature, this monocarpic plant sends out a fifteen-foot high, edible asparagus-like flower stalk and produces large numbers of pups at its base. Cutting the flower stalk off a mature blue agave will not keep it from dying. Here are instructions to help you get your plant started and care for it on an ongoing basis. Hardy only in U.S. Department of Agriculture planting zones 9b and 10, this sun-worshiping native Mexican loves the heat and abhors frost. If you are expecting temperatures below 28° degrees Fahrenheit for an extended period, you should dig your plant up and bring it indoors if it is small enough to do so. AGAVE VICTORIAE-REGINAE. It’s a common misconception that agave plants are a type of cactus plant. I am native to Mexico but I was grown in Florida and am so happy to be going to my new home. The Agave tequilana (also known as Weber’s Blue Agave or tequila agave) is a succulent plant native to North America, specifically Mexico. The blue agave is a perfect addition to any landscape or xeriscape. The plants are very resistant to disease and have few insect problems other than mealy bugs. The easiest way to grow any agave is from a pup. These plants cannot tolerate wet feet. The blue agave, just like most drought-tolerant agaves, appreciates soil that drains well. Give it a half-strength dose of liquid fertilizer for cacti and succulents. It does well in full to partial sun. Sheltering trees or bushes that provide a wind block but do not block the sun can be helpful. The mature blue agave shoots an edible flower stalk over 15 feet tall, which signals the approach of life’s end. Agave americana care is small amount of water to not overwater, full sun to half shade and prune dead leaves and dead plant plants died after blooming and need to take bloom stem and the plant down to let the new plants place to grow. Leave plenty of space for the plant to grow to its full and imposing height and breadth. By entering your email address you agree to receive a daily email newsletter from Plant Care Today. A full-time writer since 2007, Axl J. Amistaadt is a DMS 2013 Outstanding Contributor Award recipient. The easiest way to grow any agave is from a pup. Large, bold and handsome, the impressive blue agave may reach a height of 6 to 8 feet and grow just as wide. If you do not have a window with that much sun exposure, choose your best window and add artificial light to supplement. Once the plant is established, water one or two times a month during the growing season, always taking natural rainfall into account. Agave americana care. These plants prefer a rich, sandy soil; however, almost any quality well-draining potting mix is acceptable. The addition of small rocks or pebbles to the soil increases the drainage capabilities of the container. These species range in size, color, structure and lifespan. The modest 1½-foot size makes this poky cutie-pie useful in containers, on patios, and in borders. Allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again. After established, agaves need only be watered 2-3 times a month in summer, or more if you're in a low desert location. To maintain the variegated pattern, it is best to keep this plant in a position of full sun. Your cover should extend all the way to the ground to hold in the heat of the earth. Fertilizer encourages flowering, which signals the end of the blue agave’s life cycle. Blue Glow is a beautiful smaller Agave attaining a height of 18″ – 24″ inches and a spread of 2′ – 3′ feet. I have bluish green radial-growing leaves with sharp teeth. Liquid fertilizer for cacti and succulents, Free-draining potting soil for succulents (optional). Agave parryi: This is the blue agave with a rosette of thick, spined leaves. Once you have located a good spot and planted your blue agave, be sure to keep it watered until the roots become well-established. Temperature: Agave “Blue glow” needs a warm environment where temperatures stay above 68°F. It is the plant used to make tequila. We stood next to the driveway studying a rather stunted Agave americana. Feed the blue agave in early spring when new growth is evident. Blue Agave Live Rooted Succulent Plant Thorned 5-8 Inches Tall 1-2 Years Old Cold Hardy Drought Resistant Easy-to-Grow (1 Plant Pack) 4.0 out of 5 stars 37 $22.89 $ 22 . Plant blue agave in well-draining soil. Water only when the top half of medium in the pot is completely dry. A striking beauty which is particularly stunning when backlit with its glowing red and golden margin. #1 – Choose the Right Location To Grow Agave. Mulching around the plant with chopped leaves in the cooler months should help replenish nutrients in the soil and provide more nourishment for your agave if it needs it. Root crowding is not a problem for agave. Do not allow this plant to be exposed to prolonged temperatures of 28 degrees F or below. Agave Plant Care in Pots. Some sources recommend providing a diluted fertilizer treatment every couple of months during the winter, but this is not necessary. If you’re looking to multiply your Queen Victoria agave, the easiest way to do so is to look for the offsets this plant naturally produces. With a good potting medium, your plant should not need extra supplementation. The easiest way to grow any agave is from a pup. Use a free-draining potting soil for succulents. The Queen Victoria agave is less than two feet across, perfect for a pot, with striking leaves edged in white. The agave plant, which originated in Mexico, the Southwest US, and Central & tropical South America, is an easy care, impressive looking succulent plant that makes a great indoor or outdoor plant. Don’t worry that your plant will be thirsty. As long as you provide a good, free-draining planting medium, your agave will be happy. Thereafter water thoroughly once or twice monthly in the absence of rainfall throughout the growing season. This plant is highly efficient at retaining and maximizing moisture. Farmers would call this plant a "poor doer" because it's never become established in that two-year old landscape. It will take over 10 years for this Agave to flower. Here are instructions to help you get your plant started and care for it on an ongoing basis. Agave is the name of a genus consisting of several species. Blue Agave Ranch: Where Is the Best Place to Plant My Agave? This relatively short-lived plant will reach an imposing size within a short time. While this plant is not fussy about soil conditions, it cannot tolerate wet feet. Simply separate one of these pups from the main plant using a sharp knife, leave it to dry for a few days and then plant it in well-draining soil. This plant has similar care requirements to the fox tail agave but is less likely to enjoy partial shade. This agave's name means "large thorn" and the spines at the tip of this plant's leaves are a testament to that. Hardy to 10 degrees F. Blue Agave succulents can withstand an occasional freeze if you take extra precautions. Check our website often as we rotate our agave selections frequently. Agave victoriae-reginae: This small agave has upright leaves tipped with black spines that only measure about 10 inches in height. Once established, your plant should be able to glean all the nourishment it needs from the soil. You must also take care to protect the plant from chill. 5. Top left to right: Agave ‘Blue Glow’, Agave guingola, Agave ovatifolia – Bottom left to right: Agave titanota, Agave victoriae-reginae, Agave impressa Agave Plant Care Indoors If you start out by making a good choice, an agave makes an excellent houseplant when you can offer a warm setting with lots of good sunlight. Amistaadt has written book reviews for Work At Home Truth. Tip. The older leaves often gracefully arch down, suggesting motion, which makes the garden even more intriguing. Use either a prepared cactus or succulent mix or make your own. Also sometimes referred to as a blue agave cactus or tequila cactus, the plant gives its heart to make the popular liquor. The blue agave, or the agave tequilana, is, as its name implies, the plant most associated with the making of tequila. Blue agave is a relatively short-lived plant with a lifespan between 8 and 14 years. Feed once every six to eight weeks with a fertilizer for cacti and succulents. The genetics that dictate flowering time also govern when the plant should die. Agave “Blue Glow” Care: Like all succulents, Agave “blue glow” is an easy plant to care for, as it does not require particular care. Incredibly beautiful and majestic, Agave americana (Century Plant) is a very large, evergreen perennial forming handsome rosettes of thick, spiny-edged, blue-green leaves, up to 6 ft. long (180 cm). It loves lots of sunlight and won't tolerate cold temperatures. We'll respect your privacy and unsubscribe at any time. Agaves are easy to propagate by removing the offsets that develop around the base of an established plant.Some Agaves also produce small offsets on the flower stalks.Separate the offsets from the mother plant and remove all broken or damaged roots with a … PDN has the largest agave collection in the world and we make many of them available for sale including the ever popular variegated agave and blue agave plant. Be sure to cover your plant with blankets before it freezes. Position this large specimen where it will be convenient for you to remove when it dies. Blue Agave in Tequila. If you get substantial rain, don’t water. Cutting the flower stalk off a mature blue agave will not keep it from dying. [citation needed]Uses Iron Oaks at Sun Lakes: Agave Flower Stalk Care, University of Florida IFAS Extension: Agave and Yucca: Tough Plants for Tough Times, Plant Worlds: Blue Agave (Agave tequilana), Edible Communities: Liquid Assets: Distilling in De Luz -- Blue Agave North of the Border, Succulents That Are Resistant to Freezing. Begin by placing your blue agave pup into well-draining, sandy potting mix in a garden location that receives a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight every day. Agave that are grown in pots require even more grit in the soil and can actually be planted in a cactus mix. Agave root rot symptoms may include a general unhealthy appearance of the plant, lesions around the plant crown, tipping over of the plant, and roots that are gray/black and slimy. Do not overfeed this plant. All succulents store extra water in their leaves, and your plant will have what it needs. Agave tequilana azul: Weber's blue agave is used to make tequila, but it is also a very attractive garden plant, reaching upward of 6 feet tall and flowering in six to eight years with yellow blooms. Light: These plants require full sun to part shade.If you are growing Agaves indoors, choose a bright, sunny window with as much sun possible.Agave plants love going outside from spring to fall.. It is insulted by temperatures as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit and hardy down to 25. Monrovia's Blue Glow Agave details and information. Your pot also needs to have a drainage place at the bottom so the seed doesn’t rot. Don’t water in the wintertime. Do not give the blue agave any supplemental water during the winter. Large and unusual, the American century plant has spectacular, blue-green foliage. Agave filifera: This rare plant has filaments extending from its leaf tips. Pick a high spot in the landscape to keep the plant out of cool air that accumulates in low areas. Learn more about Monrovia plants and best practices for best possible plant performance. Small blue agave plants lend themselves well to container growing since their roots do not mind being crowded. Agave azul (blue agave) is used in the production of tequila.In 2001, the Mexican government and European Union agreed upon the classification of tequila and its categories. Soil: Agaves will tolerate most soils as long as they have good drainage, but their preference is sandy or rocky soil. This plant is a Garden Merit award recipient and also attracts hummingbirds. Be sure to select a landscape location that is high enough to allow excellent drainage as these plants cannot tolerate wet feet. If you can surround your plant with bales of straw or bags of leaves to help hold the blankets in place, it is helpful. Plant your blue agave in well-draining soil that receives at least six hours of direct sun daily. The tequila cactus or the common name Blue Agave plant (Agave tequilana) needs high altitude and lots of sun to flourish. Agave victoriae-reginae: Propagation. Here are instructions to help you get your plant started and care for it on an ongoing basis. How to Propagate Agave. That said, a small blue-gray agave is a welcome thing—most are much larger. Even if your plant is warm and cozy indoors, you don’t need to encourage growth, so just water sparingly whenever the top half of the potting medium is dry. Plant Care. He also covers parenting, juvenile science experiments, cooking and alternative/home remedies. Keep the plant warm and give it all the direct sunlight possible. It is also a good landscaping plant … Botanical Name: Agave americana. #1 – Choose the Right Location To Grow Agave. Agave ‘Blue Glow’ is not cold hardy, so if you live in a zone that gets colder than 20° F (-6.7° C), it’s best to plant this succulent in a container that can be brought indoors. Remember that you will not need to water much during the cold months. There is no better place on the interwebs to buy agave plants. The symmetry of the blue agave adds a beautiful contrast to the sometimes-rangy varieties of Texas sage bushes and the wooly butterfly bush. Like most agaves, the blue agave requires minimal care and attention. All 100% blue agave tequila must be made from the A. tequilana 'Weber's Blue' agave plant, to rigorous specifications and only in certain Mexican states. Remember that excessive fertilizer will spur your plant to flower, and that will be the end of your plant! Also, keep in mind the fact that you will need to remove the remains of the plant after it blooms (some thirty years down the line) so don’t put it in an area that will be difficult to access and work in when that time comes. Agave attenuata 'Nova' Credit to nestmaker. It will not do well in temperatures below 50° degrees Fahrenheit. The succulent leaves store water, enabling the plant to survive drought conditions. I am a slow grower indoors but can grow 2-3 feet. Plantcaretoday.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, Growing Calendula Flowers: Learn To Care For Calendula Plants, Pruning Tomato Plants: How to Prune Tomatoes For Maximum Yield, How To Grow and Care For Peperomia Rubella, Fiddle Leaf Ficus Care: Growing And Care Tips. Before the plant dies, it produces plenty of pups around and near the base via rhizomes. How to Grow and Care for Agave americana. Wait until the soil is completely dry before watering again. Locate your blue agave with an eye on the future. Agave americana care – What are the requirements of caring for Agave americana? Whale’s Tongue Agave Again, your goal in the winter is not to encourage growth, and you certainly don’t want to encourage flowering. Plant in an area of your garden that gets 6 hours of sunlight a day. Fertilizer is not necessary and may harm the plant if given too liberally. Agave Blue Glow Plant Care Size & Growth. This fox tail agave goes by several other names, including 'Boutin Blue.' And planted your blue agave a half dose of diluted liquid fertilizer specially formulated feed for succulents and if... My new home to flourish its heart to make it soggy or wet do well in temperatures below degrees. Leaf tips of cool air that accumulates in low areas simply the blue agave plant is young, can. 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