did you know?

The genus was named in 1753 by Linnaeus, father of botanical nomenclature. Its name is derived from the Greek word for noble. Although agaves are thought of as perennials, most species are more accurately described as mulitannual because they only bloom once, like annual plants, but live for more than a year.

general maintenance:

Remove damaged or dead foliage after flowering; offsets will replace parent plants after flowering. Keep dry in winter. Agaves prefer to be pot bound; repot only when necessary.

pests/diseases:

Agave is relatvely carefree, although water spots may occur.

controls:

Avoid overhead watering to prevent water spots.

how to sow/plant:

Choose a well-drained, sunny to partly shady site, and set plants at a distance equal to their mature spread. In Zone 9 and colder, plant in containers with a mix of 1 part pumice, 2 parts sand, and 3 parts compost; set plant high in pot to prevent rotting leaves. Water after planting.

water and fertilize:

If planted in ground, water thoroughly biweekly during growing season. Water container plants twice weekly or when soil has dried.

garden hint:

Use agave to add a sense of structure to your garden. Its architectural rosettes serve as living sculpture.

features:

• Drought Tolerant
• Native

garden uses:

• Containers
• Edging
• Flowerbed borders
• Indoors
• Naturalizing
• Rock Garden

other uses:

• Culinary/Edible (used in production of mescal)

combine with:

other agave species and succulents.