A Guide to Selecting, Growing and Enjoying Agaves
Master Gardener Education
February 22, 2010
Jack Kelly
University of Arizona
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Pima County Cooperative Extension
Tucson, Arizona
Jackelly@ag.arizona.edu

True cacti are succulents and are native to the
Western Hemisphere.
•
They do not always have spines
•
True cacti have areoles, small nubbinlike structures found on the body of the cactus
•
The spines, flowers, and roots develop from areoles

Root tuber
Roots
Leaf
(Haworthia truncata)
Transparent
‘windows’ allow light to reach the bottom base of the leaf

Areole
Trichome
Spine (modified leaf)
Tubercle
Waxy Cuticle
Water storing parenchyma cells
Vascular cylinder
Echinocactus grunsonii)
Golden Barrel Cactus

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Choose appropriate varieties that will not outgrow the container quickly
•
Use a soil mix that drains quickly, use clay pots
•
Use slow release fertilizers (Osmocote) or a soluble fertilizer such as
Peter’s, Miracle-Gro, etc
•
Underpot to aid in soil drying between waterings

• Choose ‘ideal’ location in partial sun to place the container
• Plant slightly high in container with lower leaves above the soil line
• Repot every 3 - 4 years

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 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 species and agaves to prevent spotting of the foliage

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This unusual plant is closely related to our native Ocotillo and is native to
Baja California. It is rare, slowgrowing, and therefore expensive. It makes a very nice addition to any collection and is now being grown by several nurseries in the Tucson area.

Mealy Bugs - Treat with a swab/paintbrush dipped in alcohol or handpick
Spider Mites - Wash plant every 5-7 days with a strong stream of water or use a miticide at the same interval
Scale - Scrape off individual scales or treat with a systemic insecticide

• Desert Plants, published by the Boyce
Thompson Arboretum, Superior, Arizona
• Mary Olsen, Associate Plant Pathology
Specialist, University of Arizona
• Greg Corman, Gardening Insights, Tucson,
Arizona
•Gregg Starr, Starr Nursery, Tucson, Arizona
*****************
• Special Thanks to Bach’s Greenhouse
Cactus Nursery, Tucson, Arizona

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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.
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