Agaves in the GardenA Guide to Selecting, Growing and Enjoying Agaves

AZ1336

Jack KellyCommercial 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

Agave species

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 AgaveAgave 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.

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cals.arizona.edu/pubs/garden/az1336.ppt

This information has been reviewed by university faculty May 2004