How to Transplant Agave Suckers

Wash a hand trowel and sharp knife in soapy water. Dip both tools in a mixture of one part bleach and nine parts water to sterilize them. This will prevent the spread of plant disease caused by dirty tools. Dig around a well-rooted agave sucker with the trowel. Brush the soil away from the sucker roots and them from the mother plant with the sharp knife.

Lay the sucker on a piece of newspaper in a shady, dry area for a few hours. This begins the formation of a callous on the cut part of the agave sucker, which provides the small plant with a layer of defense against invading insects or diseases.

Dig the soil up with a shovel and break up the dirt clumps with the edge of the shovel. Work the soil to the depth of 6 to 12 inches to create an area that the roots will be able to spread through easily. The ideal location for agave is an area with at least six hours of direct sunlight.

Spread a 3- to 4-inch layer of sand and 2 inches of crushed pumice over the planting area. Mix it into the top 6 inches of soil. If the soil is fertile and moist, add more sand and pumice to increase the drainage. Create a 6-inch mound by scraping up the soil with a garden hoe. Mix 1 tbsp. of 10-10-10 slow-release fertilizer into the top 4 inches of soil.

Dig a hole in the center of the mound with the hand trowel. Spread the roots out in the hole and place the agave sucker. Make sure the crown is not below ground level. Fill the hole in with soil and firm it around the base of the plant to hold it in place. Pour 2 cups of water on the soil around the transplanted agave sucker plant.