Recommended Potting for Agave Cactus

Selecting a Pot

• The ideal containers for agaves are unglazed or unsealed terra cotta pots. The clay is porous and moisture evaporates evenly and quickly through the sides of the pot. You can grow agaves in nonporous containers such as glazed ceramic or plastic, but closely monitor watering to avoid oversaturating the soil and causing root rot. All pots perform better with one or more drainage holes. Your chosen pot should not be much larger than your agave's current pot. There should be about an inch between your plant and the rim of the pot. A container that is too large will retain excess water. Every few years, you have to repot your agave and change the soil.

Preparing the Soil

• Good succulent and cactus soil can be purchased premixed or can be custom mixed at home. The soil must drain well and supply the necessary nutrients for growth. Every grower has his own special blend, but most blends consist of one part coarse builder's sand, one part compost or garden soil (low in clay) and one part vermiculite, perlite or pumice. Avoid a peat moss-based compost that can encourage insects and is hard to re-wet when dry.

Planting

• Your agave was probably purchased in a plastic or clay pot. Tap the sides of the clay pot or squeeze the plastic pot to loosen the root ball from the sides. Slide out the agave and gently clean off the existing soil without damaging the roots. You can remove the sharp terminal spines if they are a hazard. The new container's drain hole should be covered with weed cloth, pot chards or a couple pieces of newspaper. If the pot is very deep, a few inches of clean coarse gravel reduces the amount of soil and aids drainage. Cover the gravel with a piece of weed cloth before adding the soil. Fill the pot with your succulent mix, leaving a few inches at the top for watering. Plant your agave at the same level as in the previous pot, packing down the soil to remove any air pockets. Wait a week before watering.

Maintenance

• All potted plants require regular care, even low-maintenance ones. Your agave needs watering about once a week in spring and summer and once a month or less in winter. Always let the soil dry out between waterings to prevent root rot, which can kill your agave. Once a month in spring and summer, feed your agave with one-quarter strength liquid fertilizer.