About Agaves:

The Agave, also called 'century plant', 'American aloe' or 'Century aloe, derived its name from the Greek word agauos, meaning magnificent, noble. The plant is used in a variety of ways which ensured that the cultivation of Agaves has continued for centuries and has assumed in some areas a vitally important economic role, such as the manufacture of rope and related products and of course Tequila. Agave succulents are native to the New World, America and are tough plants. They form rosettes of elongated leaves which may or may not have serrated margins but are usually tipped with a spine. Many of the leaves have an attractive blue/green colour and some show cream, white or yellow on the edge.

You can keep Agaves as container plants in house and some species as garden plants. The best way to keep Agaves during the summer is to grow them outside from May through September and place them in a sunny spot where they get maximum sunlight. Strong sunlight will encourage the full colours of the leaves to develop. The plants should be kept almost dry during the winter months; only water them once a month to prevent the roots from completely drying out. From October through April they should be moved to a south-facing window. Agaves like plenty of food so half strength general-purpose fertilizer should be used at watering time starting from May once or twice a month. Do not feed the plants after September as this can cause lush growth, which can be fatal during the cold and darker months.

Agaves are best grown in a terracotta type pot. This type of pot allows good drainage and the compost (and the roots) to breath. The pot should have at least one drainage hole in the base and it should be unglazed. Agaves prefer a rich and very free draining compost to grow in. Repotting should be done every other year or every three years, annual potting is not necessary. Replant it using the same mix of compost as used originally, and use a pot just slightly wider than the width of the plant.

In March, when the plant will begin to grow, the watering should be increased gradually until late May, when the plant should be in full growth. During hot weather you may need to water the plants once a day as long as the plant is actively growing. The plant pot should be drained and not sit in a tray of water. From late September watering should be reduced to force the plant to go into a state of semi dormancy, by November you should be back into the winter watering regime.

Tropical Centre