How to Care for an Agave Cactus in Texas

Choose an agave plant suitable for your part of Texas, as the state encompasses eight USDA hardiness zones. Gardeners in southern Texas will do well with the century plant (Agave attenuata) which grows in USDA hardiness zones 10 through 12 while those in northern Texas should choose a more cold-hardy variety, such as the artichoke agave (Agave parryi truncata), which is recommended for USDA zones 6 through 9.

Plant agaves where they will receive full sun and excellent soil drainage, as agaves will not tolerate wet feet. The wet winters and humid springs common in Texas can kill agave plants that do not have proper drainage. If necessary, amend the soil with sand or loam before planting and position agaves at the top of slopes and hills rather than at the bottom.

Water new agave plants once every three or four days for the first two months after planting as they become established. After establishment you will need to water the plants only about once a month in the summer. Agave typically does not need watering at all in the winter. These plants are very drought tolerant, so when in doubt, skip the watering.

Remove and destroy any agave plants with wilting, collapsing leaves and tunnels moving towards the center of the plant. These problems are signs that the plant is suffering from an agave weevil infestation. There is no effective treatment for this problem except for destroying infected plants and any insects that are seen.