How to Grow and Care for Agaves?

Easy to grow and attention-grabbing Agaves add character to any garden or patio.

If you are looking for a low-maintenance yet attractive centrepiece, the agave is one of our top picks. Sun-loving and drought tolerant they can handle dryer periods without too much trouble.

Agaves and Top Tips

• They need full sun and excellent drainage.
• Once established they are hardy, drought-tolerant plants.
• They require moderate to light watering, and it’s best to let agaves dry out a little. If you plant them in pots, we recommend using a cactus mix to improve drainage. They love porous soil.

Sunlight and Placement

Agaves thrive best in full sunlight. They need at least half a day’s worth of direct light. If they don’t get enough, you will find that they start to droop.

If you are thinking about an Agave as an indoor feature remember to take it outside in full sunlight every couple of days. It will love you for it. Indoor agaves will need a little more attention during winter, and we suggest placing directly under a window.

Watering 

During the warmer months, they need plenty of water. We suggest watering them once a week. Regulate frequency by allowing the soil to dry out (a little) before watering. During winter, however, Agaves stop growing so they need dry soil, so we suggest limiting to once a month.

Are you afraid of overwatering? Here is a great tip using the squeeze test. Take a small handful of soil around the plant. Squeeze the soil into the palm of your hand then open.

1. Just Right – It will hold its shape, and when you give it a light poke, it crumbles.
2. Too Wet – It will hold its shape, and, when poked, sits stubbornly in your hand.
3. Too dry – It will fall apart as soon as you open your hand.

Soil and Drainage

Agaves like many other succulents love porous soil. We suggest using Attunga’s Cacti & Succulent Potting Mix. This mix provides better drainage for a healthy root system. Your Agaves will love you for it and will reward you with their striking character and elegance.