Agave care guide

Pets and children

How often to water Agave

Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)

Every 7 days

A summer grower: as a guide, water deeply once the soil is dry all the way through, in the evening in midsummer.

Autumn (Oct–Nov)

Every 14 days

Cut back as it cools; as a guide, wait about a week after the soil dries before watering.

Winter (Dec–Feb)

Every month

Growth stops, so keep it nearly dry, moistening the soil lightly about once a month on a warm morning.

Light and placement for Agave

Best outdoors in full sun with good airflow year-round, as a guide; too little light stretches the leaves, and midsummer sun is generally fine unless the pot overheats.

Overwintering Agave

Overwintering guide: 0°C (32°F) or above

Hardiness varies by species, but generally it takes about 0°C if kept dry; shelter it from frost and winter rain under the eaves or at a sunny window, as a guide.

Fertilizing and repotting Agave

Fertilizer

It needs little: as a guide, a small dose of slow-release fertilizer or diluted liquid feed about monthly from April to September, and none from fall on.

When to repot

Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)

Common problems with Agave

• Grown in dim indoor light, the leaves stretch and the rosette loses its shape.
• Overwatered in winter, the roots rot.
• Water left standing in the saucer suffocates the roots.

Tips for growing Agave

• Use a fast-draining mix so water runs straight through the pot.
• Remove dried outer leaves at the base to keep air moving around the plant.
• Wear thick gloves when repotting to avoid the spines.

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