Agaves in the Garden
A Guide to Selecting, Growing and Enjoying Agaves
AZ1336
Jack Kelly
Commercial Horticulture Agent
Agave
• 200 - 250 species identified and
described
• Native to Western U.S., south
through Mexico, Central America
and the West Indies
• Grow in area from 0 to 7000ft. in
elevation
• Howard Scott Gentry divided the
species into two groups
•
Those with a spike
inflorescence (54 species)
•
Those with a panicle
inflorescence (82 species)
Types of Inflorescence (Courtesy of Arizona Press:
Agaves of Continental North America)
Agave Basics
• Plant in well-draining soil
• Provide adequate light - many
species prefer partial sun or
filtered light
• Carefully choose a micro-climate
• Best when planted during warm
weather to aid in root development
• Use organic amendments carefully too much can interfere with proper
drainage and lead to rotting
• Protect from direct sun when planting
nursery grown plants. Plant at
the same orientation as grown
in the nursery
•
Know the mature size of the plant
and space accordingly
•
Be aware of spines especially in
areas of pedestrian traffic
• Remove any damaged roots from
field grown plants and allow to
dry for several days in the
shade
• Plant in a shallow wide hole with a
minimum of organic amendment
in the backfill
• Water thoroughly after planting and
determine the irrigation schedule
• Do not use organic mulches; use
decomposed granite or rock
• Keep water off of wide-leaved
agaves to prevent spotting of
the foliage
Container Growing
Choose appropriate varieties such
as A. victoriae-reginae, A. parryi var.
pattoni, A. fernandi-regis,
A. macroacantha. Larger species
require larger pots
From Left to Right: A macroacantha, A. victoriae-reginae,
A. parryi var.pattoni
• Use a quick - draining medium
• Use slow release fertilizer or
liquid fertilizers such as
Miracle - Gro™, Peter’s™, etc.
• Under-pot to aid in soil drying out
between waterings
• Plant slightly high in container with
lower leaves above the soil
• Plant in clay containers and water
regularly
• Choose ‘ideal’ location in partial sun
to place container
• Re-pot every 3- 4 years
Light Exposure
Most agaves prefer filtered light or be
accompanied by small native shrubs that
will provide some filtered light.
Growing and Rooting
Medium
• 50% Pumice
• 25 - 30 % Sphagnum Peat
Moss/Compost
• 20 -25% Soil
A. americana
A. americana ‘Medio Picta’
A. colorata
A. durangensis
A. fernandi regis (hybrid of A. asperirima x A.
Victoriae reginae forma nickelsii
A. geminiflora
A. havardiana
A. X leopoldi
A. lophantha
A. macroacantha
A. murpheyi
A. palmeri
A. parryi var. huachucensis
A. parryi var. huachucensis
A. parryi patoni
A. parryi var. truncata
A. parryi var. truncata
A. parryi var. truncata ‘Huntington Clone’
A parviflora
A. schidigera
Photo Courtesy of Greg Starr
A. toumeyana
Agave hybrid: A. scabra X A. fernandi regis
Same hybrid as the previous slide but grown
in full sun
A. victoriae - reginae
A. victoriae - reginae
A. weberi
Vegetative
Propagation
Octopus
Agave
Agave vilmoriniana
Source of ‘bulbils’ for propagation
A. vilmoriniana bulbils
Seed Medium
•
50% Pumice (Perlite can be
used as a substitute for pumice)
•
25% Sand
•
20% Sphagnum Peat Moss
•
5% Vermiculite
•
Top dress with 1/4 inch of
pumice
The Spoilers
Agave Snout Weevil Adult
Approximate Size 1/2 inch
Agave Snout Weevil Larvae
Actual Size Approximately 1/3 inch
Damage caused by a minute plant bug
(Caulotops barberi)
Freeze Damage on Agave
F. A. Q.
Commonly Asked Questions
Q: Do all agaves die after they bloom?
A: Most agaves die after blooming (monocarpic),
however several species such as A. braceosa are
polycarpic and may bloom several times during their
life.
The rosette that flowers will die if the inflorescence
comes from the center of the plant. The off setting
types will have other rosettes that live, but the one that
flowers will eventually die.
Q. Once a plant gets infested by Agave Snout Weevil, can
the plant be saved?
A. Typically there is no control that will save the plant. The
rot organisms have a perfect environment (water, warmth
and sugar) for rapid growth.
Q. What are the differences between agaves and yuccas?
A. Yuccas bloom almost every year, agaves do not;
yuccas have typical bell shaped blooms,
agaves do not have true petals (they have
tepals - petals and sepals that are nearly
indistinguishable); yucca flowers are white,
agave flowers may be white, pink, red or yellow.
All yuccas except Yucca whipplei will continue
to live after blooming. Yuccas have a superior
ovary while agaves have an inferior ovary.
Yuccas do not have showy teeth along their leaf
edges while many agaves do.
Q. How often should I water my agave plants?
A. Like most other plants, it depends on the weather
and the time of year. Agaves will withstand long
spells of drought (especially in winter) and will
require 1 - 2 times a week watering during the
hottest months.They are capable of standing
prolonged dryness, but look better with regular
irrigation. If you have particularly sandy soil,
irrigation frequency is increased; on heavy clay
soils the frequency will be decreased.
Q. How often do I fertilize my agaves?
A. Agaves can survive on low fertility soils but will
grow more rapidly and look better with regular
fertilization during the spring through fall. No
fertilization is recommended during the winter and
cooler month.
Q. How long do agaves live?
A. Agaves can live for many years (more than 25
years). The longevity depends on the species. Some
species such as Octopus agave (A. vilmoriniana) live
about 5-7 years, bloom and die. Some parryi species
live more than 25 years. If the plant is well cared for
the longevity will be greater than a poorly maintained
plant.
Valuable additions to your library:
Agaves, Yuccas, and Related Plants, A Gardener’s
Guide, Mary and Gary Irish, Timber Press, Portland
Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-442-3. Cost: Approximately
$35 US
Agaves of Continental North America, Howard Scott
Gentry, University of Arizona Press, Tucson, Arizona,
ISBN 0-8165-0775-9. Cost: Approximately $125 US
hard bound, $35 US soft bound
Credits
•Mary and Gary Irish, from Agaves, Yuccas
and Related Plants, A Gardener’s
Guide, Timber Press, Portland, Oregon
• Greg Starr, Starr Nursery, Tucson, Arizona
• Special Thanks to Dan Bach,
Bach’s Greenhouse Cactus Nursery,
Tucson, Arizona
Agave photos used by permission Mary Irish and Greg Starr
Questions,Comments?
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914 in cooperation
with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, James A. Christenson, Director, Cooperative Extension, College
of Agriculture & Life Sciences, The University of Arizona.
The University of Arizona is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution. The University does not
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by contacting DRC (Disability Resource Center) at 621-3268 (V/TTY).
Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.
This information has been reviewed by university faculty May 2004
cals.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/az1336.ppt