Then it will die, without forming offsets. 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. While this plant is not fussy about soil conditions, it cannot tolerate wet feet. A full-time writer since 2007, Axl J. Amistaadt is a DMS 2013 Outstanding Contributor Award recipient. Blue Agave in Tequila. Hardy to 10 degrees F. The genetics that dictate flowering time also govern when the plant should die. 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. Once you have located a good spot and planted your blue agave, be sure to keep it watered until the roots become well-established. Cover the blue agave with old blankets when freezing weather threatens. Check our website often as we rotate our agave selections frequently. 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. Water enough to evenly moisten the soil but not enough to make it soggy or wet. Does Dwarf Blue Fescue Grass Turn Brown in the Fall? The older leaves often gracefully arch down, suggesting motion, which makes the garden even more intriguing. Tip. Agave “Blue Glow” Care: Like all succulents, Agave “blue glow” is an easy plant to care for, as it does not require particular care. Whale’s Tongue Agave Your cover should extend all the way to the ground to hold in the heat of the earth. The tequila cactus or the common name Blue Agave plant (Agave tequilana) needs high altitude and lots of sun to flourish. Water only when the top half of medium in the pot is completely dry. It is far better to under-water than over-water. Remember that its spears are rigid and sharp and equipped with thorny spines (leaf tips), so place your blue agave well away from footpaths and play areas. When this plant is young, it makes an attractive home plant easy to care for. Water deeply, once a week for about four weeks. Do not overfeed this plant. Feed once every six to eight weeks with a fertilizer for cacti and succulents. Watering should be thorough, but allow plants to dry out completely between irrigations. Monrovia's Blue Glow Agave details and information. Also sometimes referred to as a blue agave cactus or tequila cactus, the plant gives its heart to make the popular liquor. This fox tail agave goes by several other names, including 'Boutin Blue.' Care & Disease of Agave Plants. Where to Plant. The addition of small rocks or pebbles to the soil increases the drainage capabilities of the container. Liquid fertilizer for cacti and succulents, Free-draining potting soil for succulents (optional). So it is an ideal plant for beginners who are just starting out in the plant care world. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Agave that are grown in pots require even more grit in the soil and can actually be planted in a cactus mix. Remember that excessive fertilizer will spur your plant to flower, and that will be the end of your plant! 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 . There is no better place on the interwebs to buy agave plants. Be sure to cover your plant with blankets before it freezes. Farmers would call this plant a "poor doer" because it's never become established in that two-year old landscape. By entering your email address you agree to receive a daily email newsletter from Plant Care Today. Agave victoriae-reginae: This small agave has upright leaves tipped with black spines that only measure about 10 inches in height. I am a slow grower indoors but can grow 2-3 feet. 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. My botanical name is Agave americana but I am also known as American Aloe, Century Plant or Blue Steel Agave. Again, your goal in the winter is not to encourage growth, and you certainly don’t want to encourage flowering. 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. Be sure to select a landscape location that is high enough to allow excellent drainage as these plants cannot tolerate wet feet. Wait until the soil is completely dry before watering again. AGAVE VICTORIAE-REGINAE. Hardy only in U.S. Department of Agriculture planting zones 9b and 10, this sun-worshiping native Mexican loves the heat and abhors frost. These plants cannot tolerate wet feet. When watering, water the plant thoroughly and evenly, but do not overwater and leave the plant standing in water. Blue agave is a relatively short-lived plant with a lifespan between 8 and 14 years. A striking beauty which is particularly stunning when backlit with its glowing red and golden margin. Plant blue agave in well-draining soil. Before the plant dies, it produces plenty of pups around and near the base via rhizomes. Here are instructions to help you get your plant started and care for it on an ongoing basis. If you are in doubt, err on the side of caution and do not water. Like most agaves, the blue agave requires minimal care and attention. The Queen Victoria agave is less than two feet across, perfect for a pot, with striking leaves edged in white. The plants are very resistant to disease and have few insect problems other than mealy bugs. It loves lots of sunlight and won't tolerate cold temperatures. Locate your blue agave with an eye on the future. Agave parryi: This is the blue agave with a rosette of thick, spined leaves. Use a free-draining potting soil for succulents. 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. Thereafter water thoroughly once or twice monthly in the absence of rainfall throughout the growing season. Pick a high spot in the landscape to keep the plant out of cool air that accumulates in low areas. Blue Agave Ranch: Where Is the Best Place to Plant My Agave? Don’t worry that your plant will be thirsty. This plant is highly efficient at retaining and maximizing moisture. Botanical Name: Agave americana. Plant in an area of your garden that gets 6 hours of sunlight a day. Sheltering trees or bushes that provide a wind block but do not block the sun can be helpful. Blue agave and other large species (Agave americana aka century plant) can do very well as potted plants and container plants while they are small. Agave attenuata 'Nova' Credit to nestmaker. All succulents store extra water in their leaves, and your plant will have what it needs. 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. Agave Tequilana. Do not give the blue agave any supplemental water during the winter. The blue agave, or the agave tequilana, is, as its name implies, the plant most associated with the making of tequila. Blue Glow is a beautiful smaller Agave attaining a height of 18″ – 24″ inches and a spread of 2′ – 3′ feet. It will take over 10 years for this Agave to flower. Purchase an older plant to enjoy its mature years. The easiest way to grow any agave is from a pup. I am native to Mexico but I was grown in Florida and am so happy to be going to my new home. It is the plant used to make tequila. 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. Small blue agave plants lend themselves well to container growing since their roots do not mind being crowded. Offsets. Since it can take years to produce seeds, Agaves are usually propagated by offsets. How to Propagate Agave. If you get substantial rain, don’t water. Agave Plant Care in Pots. Cutting the flower stalk off a mature blue agave will not keep it from dying. 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. The mature blue agave shoots an edible flower stalk over 15 feet tall, which signals the approach of life’s end. Agave 'Blue Glow' is a slow-growing evergreen succulent which produces elegant rosettes of blue-green, chalky leaves with finely toothed margins adorned with a golden and red ribbon. Agave americana care. The blue agave is a perfect addition to any landscape or xeriscape. Agave americana care – What are the requirements of caring for Agave americana? 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. Blue Agave succulents can withstand an occasional freeze if you take extra precautions. With a good potting medium, your plant should not need extra supplementation. The easiest way to grow any agave is from a pup. Agave victoria-reginae: As this plant matures its broad leaves cup inward, forming a dome. 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. Large, bold and handsome, the impressive blue agave may reach a height of 6 to 8 feet and grow just as wide. 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. I have bluish green radial-growing leaves with sharp teeth. It is also a good landscaping plant … After established, agaves need only be watered 2-3 times a month in summer, or more if you're in a low desert location. Agave filifera: This rare plant has filaments extending from its leaf tips. 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. As long as you provide a good, free-draining planting medium, your agave will be happy. Allow the soil to dry out completely before watering again. Move it to a warm room indoors and place it next to a sunny window with direct exposure until the cold weather passes. Remember that you will not need to water much during the cold months. These species range in size, color, structure and lifespan. To keep blue agave plants (or any agave) indoors in the winter, you should locate a sunny window that provides at least six hours of direct light exposure daily. Agave victoriae-reginae: Propagation. That said, a small blue-gray agave is a welcome thing—most are much larger. The easiest way to grow any agave is from a pup. Tequila agave is also known as Weber’s Blue Agave, or simply the blue agave plant is called Tequilana Azul. This really is not necessary, though. We'll respect your privacy and unsubscribe at any time. #1 – Choose the Right Location To Grow Agave. Very slow growing it can take 40 years to bloom. If you are expecting an extended period of very cold weather and the plant is small enough for you to manage, dig it up and pot it in a free-draining potting soil for succulents. Don’t water in the wintertime. It’s a common misconception that agave plants are a type of cactus plant. You must also take care to protect the plant from chill. He publishes online articles with major focus on pets, wildlife, gardening and fitness. It’s best to start out in a small pot, and transfer it to a larger pot once it begins to sprout larger leaves. It does well in full to partial sun. Cutting the flower stalk off a mature blue agave will not keep it from dying. To maintain the variegated pattern, it is best to keep this plant in a position of full sun. How to Grow and Care for Agave americana. This agave's name means "large thorn" and the spines at the tip of this plant's leaves are a testament to that. Do not allow this plant to be exposed to prolonged temperatures of 28 degrees F or below. Blue agave is a relatively short-lived plant with a lifespan between 8 and 14 years. If you do not have a window with that much sun exposure, choose your best window and add artificial light to supplement. 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. The leaves are narrow, long, and thin with a sharp spike on the tip. Once established, your plant should be able to glean all the nourishment it needs from the soil. Here are instructions to help you get your plant started and care for it on an ongoing basis. Amistaadt has written book reviews for Work At Home Truth. #1 – Choose the Right Location To Grow Agave. Blue agave plant seeds can be planted in as little as 2 inches of soil. We stood next to the driveway studying a rather stunted Agave americana. This plant has similar care requirements to the fox tail agave but is less likely to enjoy partial shade. 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. The blue agave, just like most drought-tolerant agaves, appreciates soil that drains well. 5. 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 … Feed the blue agave in early spring when new growth is evident. 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. The Agave tequilana (also known as Weber’s Blue Agave or tequila agave) is a succulent plant native to North America, specifically Mexico. Your pot also needs to have a drainage place at the bottom so the seed doesn’t rot. Plant your blue agave in well-draining soil that receives at least six hours of direct sun daily. Keep the plant warm and give it all the direct sunlight possible. This relatively short-lived plant will reach an imposing size within a short time. Once the plant is established, water one or two times a month during the growing season, always taking natural rainfall into account. If caught before the entire root system has rotted, you can dig up the plant, … Soil: Agaves will tolerate most soils as long as they have good drainage, but their preference is sandy or rocky soil. Leave plenty of space for the plant to grow to its full and imposing height and breadth. Temperature: Agave “Blue glow” needs a warm environment where temperatures stay above 68°F. Some sources recommend providing a diluted fertilizer treatment every couple of months during the winter, but this is not necessary. 89 Position this large specimen where it will be convenient for you to remove when it dies. Learn more about Monrovia plants and best practices for best possible plant performance. It is well armed with stiff, needle-sharp bayonet spines on the leaf tips, so situate it away from foot traffic and areas your children and pets tend to frequent. It is insulted by temperatures as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit and hardy down to 25. The blue-green leaves grow in a solitary rosette formation with a clumping growth habit. It will not do well in temperatures below 50° degrees Fahrenheit. Fertilizer is not necessary and may harm the plant if given too liberally. If you can surround your plant with bales of straw or bags of leaves to help hold the blankets in place, it is helpful. 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. These plants prefer a rich, sandy soil; however, almost any quality well-draining potting mix is acceptable. Plant Care. Root crowding is not a problem for agave. It is only hardy in USDA zones 9b and 10. The modest 1½-foot size makes this poky cutie-pie useful in containers, on patios, and in borders. The Blue Agave plants are a stunning plant that can reach a height and width of eight feet. 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. The Agave tequilana plant is from the Asparagaceae family of plants.It grows really fast, and they have large and pointy rosettes that resemble swords. During the agave's growing season, spring through summer, you can feed with a specialized plant food, such as Miracle-Gro® Liquid Succulent Plant … The symmetry of the blue agave adds a beautiful contrast to the sometimes-rangy varieties of Texas sage bushes and the wooly butterfly bush. Water a newly planted blue agave once weekly for about a month if it does not rain. Fertilizer encourages flowering, which signals the end of the blue agave’s life cycle. Often referred to as tequila cactus, blue agave (Agave tequilana) is more closely related to lilies than to cacti. You can give your blue agave a half dose of diluted liquid fertilizer specially formulated feed for succulents and cactus if you wish. Agave Blue Glow Plant Care Size & Growth. Large and unusual, the American century plant has spectacular, blue-green foliage. He also covers parenting, juvenile science experiments, cooking and alternative/home remedies. 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.. 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. Give it a half-strength dose of liquid fertilizer for cacti and succulents. 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Also govern when the plant if given too liberally over 15 feet tall, which signals the end your.