Agave plants are originally from North America, the Southern states of USA and Mexico. They make excellent specimen plants and species such as Agave havardiana, can be planted with other succulents and cactus such as Ferocactus pilosus
They are monocarpic, they flower once in their lifetime and then die, however they do set seed and even put out offshoots to form clumps, so in fact propagation and ongoing display of foliage is not a problem. Agave monacanthus is an interesting species, pictured right.
Other popular species including, Decipiens, Desmettiana, Diffusa, Obscura and Xylonacantha which are all widely used in landscaping where low maintenance and drought tolerant plants are required.
Growing conditions for Agave Plants – Basic care.
Agave like most succulents are sun loving, and are generally regarded as drought tolerant. Like yuccas, agaves require very little maintenance. Removal of spent flower heads, occasional watering and fertilizer application every month or two will keep your agave in good condition.
A well drained soil and full sun best suits agave, and a feed of slow release fertilizer four time a year is beneficial to growth.
Agave are suitable for growing in containers or pots, especially the smaller species. And yes agaves can be a little weedy at times, but easy to control.
Growing Agave Plants in Pots
Although Agave are a hardy plant and in the ground are reasonably drought tolerant, Agaves are a hungry plant especially the larger species and cultivars. They can quickly become pot bound, they can be root pruned, but are better potted up as they exhaust the potting mix and fill the pot with roots. This is why they will also need watering during dry spells.
So be a little careful with varieties, species and types. Look for factual information on plant tags. For example, Agave americana var. americana is a larger growing species while Agave americana ‘Medio-picta’ is much smaller. Agave parviflora is one of the smallest species while Agave gentryi is one of the largest.
Popular Agave Plants for landscaping
Agave are popular with landscapers for the strong structural elements that many species bring. They suit the modern courtyard look, with strong structural lines, they can look great in terra cotta style pots.
In many areas of Australia Agaves will provide excellent architectural foliage all year round, however in colder climates they can suffer a little in winter.
Agave are widely used in both containers and in the ground. In container as a single specimen Agave have naturally strong sculptural shapes and work well in modern courtyards as commercial landscaping.
Also popular in home gardens where the low maintenance aspect of these plants fits in well with busy modern lifestyles.
Foliage varies from blue greens through to strong variegated types.
Agave Species For Landscaping
Size also varies from diminutive species to large dramatic plants.
- A. attenuata – Good tight pale to mid green rosettes of foliage. One of the most popular species, also known as the foxtail agave.
- A. franzosini ‘Grey Ghost’ (pictured right) – This is an outstanding large growing, if rare specimen.
- A. medio picta alba – Good variegated foliage, an excellent plant to add contrast to the landscaping scheme.
- A. stricta – Smaller growing with fine foliage. Tends to form a neat ball shape.
- A. americana – Large growing with fairly upright foliage. Blue green in colour and an excellent feature plant.
Large specimen plants are available to provide instant impact. Many species are well suited to growing in containers. These are a low maintenance, easy care plant.
Lots of new named cultivars are also available, however the species are attractive and will suit most situations.
Agaves will flower, usually in winter, and flowers vary from rather insipid types to colorful large flower spikes that rise high above the foliage.
Agave plants for sale online from the following nurseries
With over 200 species including variegated forms the choice is wide. Advanced specimen plants are available as are smaller plants, offsets and tubestock.
Phone: 0411 435 314
Online Retailer of Landscaping Plants, large quantities of small pot sizes up to advanced sizes & plant Sourcing.
SYDNEY | NORTHERN NSW | GOLD COAST | BRISBANE | MELBOURNE | ADELAIDE
www.egardens.com.au
601 Sunnyholt Road Parklea NSW 2768
Parklea Pots and Plants are affordable, open 7 days and have everything you need for your garden - of any size!. Pots, plants, water features, fruit trees, hedging, potting mix and more.
Opening hours 7 days a week from 8:30am to 5pm
www.potsandplants.com.au
125 Palmer Rd Jindivick 3818
Open Thursday - Sunday 10am - 4pm
Specialising in growing and selling Rare and Unusual Trees, shrubs Perennials Bulbs and Climbers, a unique nursery with amazing stock.
www.muskersbroughtonhall.com.au
52 Rodd St Canowindra NSW 2804
An online nursery specialising in drought and frost tolerant perennials and fragrant, edible and herbs.
www.perennialle.com.au
470 Monbulk-Silvan Road Monbulk VIC 3793
"Guaranteed mail order flowering bulbs, perennials, roses, trees, landscaping plants, garden accessories and community fundraising Austra lia-wide."
www.gardenexpress.com.au
Wholesale
111 Stanhope Road Theresa Park NSW 2570
Offering a variety of sun hardy Australian natives and exotic trees, shrubs, groundcover's and perennials from semi advanced through to super advanced and semi-mature stock.
www.downesnursery.com.au
email ask@plantmark.com.au
One of Australia's largest wholesale trade nurseries. Over 30,000 species available, tubestock to advanced trees, an almost unlimited choice of plants.
www.plantmark.com.au
Can you Grow Agave Plants Indoors
Agaves can be gown indoors if you follow a few basic rules. Basically agaves are a a dry climate plant used to growing in hot conditions, lots of light and little water. Growing indoors can easily meet the hot and dry conditions it is the light that is the main problem.
When we try to grow these wonderful succulents indoors it is usually a lack of light and poor air circulation that cause the problems. The other issue is a tendency to over water.
So look for a position with lots of light, make sure you use a free draining potting mix , but do remember to allow to almost dry out between watering, usually no more than water once a week in a warm house. Fertilizer is generally not required, and in fact is usually avoided, except for a 1/2 application as they commence new growth.
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Propagation
Agaves can be propagated by division which is the removal of offsets or ‘pups’ or from seed. Removing the offsets is easy, just remember to retain the small stem that connected the offset to the main plant, this is the part that will have some roots and will send out new roots.
The offsets ( with roots )should be planted immediately into good potting mix and fertilised with a liquid fertiliser.
With over 350 species originating in Mexico and Southern USA you can find an agave for any situation. Agaves will flower, and they have great flowers, but be patient, agaves may take 10 or more years to flower.