Agave Care Guide
All you need to know about growing Agave!
Agaves belong to the Asparagaceae family, with over 270 species native to Mexico and the surrounding regions. Their strong structural shapes make them excellent feature plants for pots, gardens and rockeries. Many species can take temperatures well below freezing and will grow outside in the UK if the drainage is good. Take care when handling them: they are covered in sharp spikes that protect them from herbivores in the dry places they come from, where water is scarce.
Agave leaves unfold very slowly and neatly from a central conical crown, often leaving pronounced markings where the previous leaves rested. Agaves are slow to flower, which is how they got the nickname “century plants”: some species can take 50 to 60 years to bloom. When they do flower, the larger species can send up a flower spike over 12 metres tall.
Because they take so long to flower, hybrid Agaves are rare, and highly prized when they do appear. Collectors particularly want variegated Agaves, which often come in compact forms.
Soil mix and feeding
Agaves are easy to care for and need very little attention, but they do need a free-draining soil mix, typically 50% soil and 50% grit or perlite.
Feed them during the warmer growing season. The best time to feed is when you repot: in spring, mix in a 5 to 6-month slow-release fertiliser at the recommended rate, or use a balanced liquid fertiliser every two to three weeks. Either will keep them growing strongly through the summer.
Planting
Plant Agaves at an angle so rainwater drains freely out of the crown instead of leaving it waterlogged. This matters most outdoors, where you can’t control watering. Repot when they become pot-bound, which is also a good time to remove dead or dying leaves and roots and to pot on any pups. Always wash your hands after handling Agaves, as their sap can be irritating.
Agaves are generally cold hardy and can stay outside all year with good drainage. Choose a sunny spot. Good light is especially important in winter. Underplanting with rocks helps keep the base free-draining and cuts down on weeds, which are hard to deal with around the spines. Use a thick layer of top-dressing to keep the leaves off wet soil and prevent rot. In particularly wet winters, horticultural fleece or a temporary shelter gives extra protection, especially for young and tender Agaves.
Positioning
Agaves need the right position to reach their full size. Most prefer full sun to part shade, and variegated varieties show their colours and markings best in part shade. Place them where the sharp spines won’t be a danger to passers-by or pets.
Watering
In summer, water Agaves once a week. In particularly hot, sunny, dry weather you may need to water up to three times a week. Drench the free-draining soil mix thoroughly each time. Early morning is the best time to water, before the sun gets strong.
In winter the plant is dormant and needs much less water. Lightly moistening the soil is usually enough.
Over-wintering Agave
Agaves are tough plants that can handle extreme weather, including heatwaves, windstorms and heavy rain. Some species, like Agave montana, can even spend long periods under snow.
Keep the soil on the drier side through the colder months while they rest, and give them plenty of direct sunlight so they come into spring healthy.
You can trim the spines from the leaf ends to make the plant safer to handle and to avoid punctures when you put winter fleece over it. Be careful not to cut into the leaf tips themselves. It won’t harm the plant, but it can spoil its appearance.
If your Agaves are in pots, you can move them into a greenhouse or conservatory, or onto a sunny windowsill indoors, to protect them from the winter cold.
Growing tips
- Use a free-draining soil mix of 50% multipurpose compost and 50% grit or perlite.
- Feed and water regularly during the growing season.
- Plant the Agave at an angle so water drains freely from the crown.
- Apply a thick top-dressing to help prevent rot.
- Give the plant a bright, sunny position for the best growth.
Thank you for reading!
If you have any other care questions, email us at info@surrealsucculents.co.uk and we will be happy to help.
You can find more of our care guides in the Plant Care & Advice section.
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