This ultimate guide on how to grow agave will help you to grow and care for your agave plant. Get to know sunlight, watering, fertilizers, requirements of the agave plant.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Agave is a genus of monocots native to the hot and arid regions of America. This genus is primarily known for its succulent and xerophytic species that typically form large rosettes of strong, fleshy leaves.
Agave is cultivated commercially because of its dramatic, architectural resembling structure that makes it a great choice for any garden. It is a stunning medium-sized and urn-shaped plant.
The leaves of Agave americana have smooth margins with a single sharp reddish terminal spine. The leaves are usually bright green and have yellow variegation accentuating margins.
They are considered to be perennial plants because they take many years to mature and flower. Traditionally this plant is believed to have medicinal qualities. Sugar derived from this plant is used to make tequila.
How To Grow Agave?
Propagation
The best process of propagation of agave plants is by separating offset shoots growing by the side of the mother plant.
Before separating, dry your potting mix and pull the plant out gently from the pot and separate it. Now plant the new offset shoot in a new container.
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Potting Mix
For growing agave plants, you may use a cactus potting mix or prepare potting with 60% garden soil +20% coco-peat+ 10% sand base mixing. Add 10% any bulky organic manure and your potting mix for agave is ready.
Watering
Semi succulent plant needs a low amount of water and well drainage system in the pot. These plants grow better in dry conditions with adequate moisture in the soil.
You should water them twice in a week. Apply water in your pot when the top layer of soil medium seems completely dry. Overwatering or logging water in container may damage your plant by root rot.
Sunlight
After potting your plant place it in the southeast facing window or balcony or garden where it can receive direct sunlight for at least 5 hours daily or more.
After 1-2 weeks, new seedlings grow new roots into the new potting mix.
Fertilizers
After the establishment of plants, you should start feeding your plants. For vigorous growth of plants, you can use ½ teaspoon bone meal once in a month or any organic fertilizer like tea leaf compost.
Use 2 gm /lit water sol. Of Epsom salt after every interval of 6 months. Use NPK (19:19:19) fertilizer 2 gm/lit as a foliar spray. This spray maintains the good texture of plants.
Pests & Diseases
Agave is a pest-free plant. So you don’t need to worry about pest infestation in this plant. Sometimes black spots appear on the leaves, in such cases use 2 gm/lit solution of calcium carbonate (lime).
Clear all dead and dry leaf from time to time. Clean leaves by cotton cloth at regular intervals.
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Author’s Note
I guess you are now clear on how to grow agave. If you have any ideas, suggestions, or queries then do comment below. I thank Mr. Sital Sarkar for his humble contribution in this article. Dear readers, you can also connect with Agriculture Review on Facebook, Instagram, and Koo.
