Care of the Agave Cactus

Pots

• Plant agave in unglazed clay pots. Clay is porous and allows moisture absorption and drainage. Add compost to potting soil to promote healthy drainage and to circulate oxygen to the roots. Easycactus.com recommends combining peat, No. 1 compost, sharp sand and clay shards. (See Reference 1.)

  Agave prefer a rich and very free draining compost that should consist of:
  * 1 part John Innes No. 1 compost
  * 2 part peat- or coir-based compost
  * 1 part sharp sand or grit
  * 1/4 part broken crock pieces (small)

Climate/Temperature

• Provide your agave with temperatures similar to desert environments. According to Easy Cactus, agave thrives in daytime summer temperatures of 68 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Night temperatures can be as low as 53 degrees Fahrenheit. Maintain winter temperatures no lower than 53 degrees Fahrenheit in the daytime and 41 degrees Fahrenheit during winter nights.

  Bring your agave outside into full sun in summer months. When the season begins to cool, move the plants indoors to a window with a southern exposure.

  The Agave plants come in a range of colors, from bright grassy green to blue/greens.

Environment

• Agave care includes tending to the succulent's water, light and feeding needs. Allow agave to nearly completely dry in the winter. Water only enough to keep the roots moist. According to Easy Cactus, water agave about once a month in the winter. (See Reference 1.) As the weather warms, increase watering to once a week throughout the summer. Make sure the soil continues to drain well. If the pot sits on a tray, drain excess water. As the season cools toward September, water less to coax the plant to a semi-dormant state. As winter comes around, return to a winter watering schedule.

  Provide agave with full sunlight year-round. Full sun stimulates agave's bright colors.

  According to Easy Cactus, agaves require ample feeding. Beginning in May, feed twice a month with an all-purpose fertilizer. Stop feeding in September as the plants prepare for near-dormancy. Feeding in the cold months can kill your plants. (See Reference 1.)