Agave Shaka zulu
Agave Plants
Agave is the genus of plants belonging to the Asparagaceae family, native to America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. They have their habitat as arid and semi-arid regions above the desert, especially oak-pine woodlands and desert grasslands.
Agave Americana – American Aloe – Century Plant
Several plant species in this genus are of economic importance, such as the production of mescal liquors like tequila, sources of fibre, and potential bioenergy crop interest. There are around 200 species available.
Agave plants, commonly referred to as Agave are succulent, monocotyledonous plants with a fountain-like form that die after flowering and bringing fruits. Their leaves form a large rosette, are succulent or leathery, and can grow up to 8 feet in length with most of them bearing spines along the edges and tips. The leaves can be variegated or striped, in colours ranging from pale green to blue-grey.
They are late bloomers and may live up to 30 to 60 years before producing flowers, depending on their varieties. Their flowers are usually yellow, pale-green, or red and produce an abundant amount of nectar. The flowers produce capsule fruits and are pollinated by bats, birds, and insects such as bees and moths.
Agave plants are considered perennial plants because they grow very slowly and require many years to flower and mature. They are capable of growing from 1 to 20 feet in height, and 1 to 10 feet in width depending on the variety.
Agave plants are ornamental plants with over 200 known species and a number of those species being variants of original wild species have been bred to yield unique cultivars. A number of them are commonly grown and are worthy of note.
Agave Americana
Agave americana commonly referred to as Century plant and American aloe, is one of the most familiar species of Agave plants. It is a variety of plants with fleshy, variegated leaves that have prickly margins and terminal spikes with white or yellow stripes marginally or centrally. It is an ornamental plant cultivated majorly for its dramatic foliage and is used in the production of syrup and sugar.
Agave attenuata
Agave attenuate commonly referred to as the foxtail agave or dragon-tree agave, is a popularly spineless variety with a curved flower spike. It is uncommon in its natural habitat and can grow around 4 to 5 feet tall and a bit more in width.
Agave tequilana
Agave tequilana commonly referred to as Agave Azul, Weber’s blue agave, or blue agave is a variety of plant that blooms in 6 to 8 years with yellow flowers. It is capable of reaching a height of 6 feet and is used in the production of tequila.
Growth And Care For Agave Plant
Agave plants thrive on neglect and require very little supplemental care once the environment is friendly. They are best planted in spring or early fall, giving the roots maximum time to grow.
Soil: Agave plants are tolerant to any soil type, and can thrive in nutrient-poor soil as long as they are fast-draining. Ideally coarse, acidic to neutral soils with a pH of 6.5 to 7 and rocky or sandy nature are of preference.
Light: Agave plants can tolerate a little shade depending on how hot the climate is, although they grow better in full sun and the presence of direct sunlight for at least six hours on most days.
Water: Agave plants require frequent watering during the first month of being planted with a subsequent reduction in watering frequency to occasionally. As Agave plants mature, they become very drought-tolerant and do not necessarily require water unless the soil is completely dry and there’s been a long absence of rainfall. Their roots do not appreciate being water-logged as that could lead to rotting.
Temperature and Humidity: Agave plants are very heat-tolerant and thrive well in warmer climates. An ideal temperature of 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit in spring and summer; and a surrounding temperature of 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit in the cooler conditions of autumn and winter is required.
Most Agave plants are intolerant of frost and prefer low humidity climates, as high humidity can result in crown rot.
Encyclopedia of Exotic Plants for Temperate Climates - Will Giles
A relative newcomer only discovered in north-eastern Tamaulipas, Mexico, and described in the 1990s, but potentially the very best agave for growing in a cool-temperate garden. Spectacular plant forming a huge rosette 2m across in its native habitats, comprising hundreds of short, wide grey leaves, each beautifully marked and toothed, resembling a giant globe artichoke. In the wild grows as understory and emerging species in oak and pine forests at an altitude of up to 3400m, at which dizzy heights it regularly experiences heavy frosts, snow, ice, and damp mist for months on end during the winter, taking temperatures as low as –10°C and maybe –15°C, yet remains in pristine condition. Recent seed collections mean this plant is just starting to enter the European plant market. Probably the Agave most suited to our cool wet climate. Most Agaves can cope with very cold temperature but not too many cope so well with the cold and wet. Agave montana is a spectacular Agave that does it's very best in a hot sun-baked planting area in dry gardens, rock gardens or as a potted specimen. The key with growing Agave montana is to find a planting environment that is very well drained, and in full-sun. So when planting out Agave montana add additional grit or gravel to the planting hole to maximise drainage. In the colder parts of the UK and in colder than usual winters try to keep the Agave montana as dry as possible and free from a build-up of snow. Latin name: Agave Montana Common Name: Mountain Agave Ease of growing: Easy to moderate Position: Full sun Hardiness: Hardy especially if protected from winter Soil conditions: Exceedingly well drained gravely-sandy soil Buy Agave Montana online here, we offer many Agave's for sale in the UK.
Agaves hail from desert and scrubby areas and mountainous regions in North, central and South America. They are essential for a desert garden, with many being quite hardy especial if protected from rain during the winter months. It is a truly striking Agave and one of the prettiest and most sought after Agaves available. Its shape and contrasting foliage colours gives ‘Marginata’ fantastic architectural value, having solid creamy white bands down the centre of the powdery blue-green margined leaves forming a stiff rosette. Agave americana 'Marginata' is ideally suited to hot sun-baked planting areas in dry gardens, rock gardens, though it must be protected during the wet winter months. In cold areas it is best grown as a container plant that is brought into frost free conditions for the winter months. Latin name: Agave americana 'Marginata' Common name: Variegated Agave Americana Ease of growing: Moderate Position: Prefers full sun. Soil Condition: prefers exceedingly well drained soil that gets baked during the summer months. It must be kept bone dry during the winter months. Buy Agave americana 'Marginata' - Variegated Agave Americana in the UK
This genus includes more than two hundred species of rosette-forming perennials found growing in desert and scrubby areas to mountainous regions in their native habitats. They are quintessential desert plants for the exotic garden, having a very architectural feel and adding dramatic impact whether bedded out for the summer months, or permanently planted out in the garden. Many are amazingly tough plants that can take low temperatures well if grown in exceedingly free-draining gritty soils and kept dry in winter; their biggest problem is winter wet. They are monocarpic, meaning that the main plant dies after flowering, leaving new side shoots to grow on. Intrepid gardeners in the British Isles have been experimenting with their hardiness, with good success. They are commonly seen in gardens along the south coast of England, especially into Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, where some astounding specimens can be seen. Agave americana (Century Plant) is an evergreen perennial native to north eastern Mexico, hence is ideally suited to hot sun-baked areas of your garden. It is a very good plant to grow in coastal regions as it is very wind tolerant. Although it will take lows of down to around -8C, this is only if planted on exceedingly well drained soil and is protected from winter rain, otherwise it can be grown as a container plants and brought into a dry location for the winter months. Excellent for very sandy, gravely arid areas Latin name: Agave americana Common name: Century Plant Ease of growing: Moderate Position: Prefers full sun. Soil Condition: Prefers exceedingly well drained gravely soil
This is a very cold-hardy Agave, growing to an imposing 30 x 36ins wide when mature in its native habitat, the Davis Mountains of west Texas USA where they have cold winters but very hot baking summers. Its massive, thick, bluish-grey leathery leaves have vicious spines, so keep away from pathways! It takes low temperatures exceedingly well if planted on gravely well drained sandy soils, or raised up on a rockery. In high rainfall areas it should have a cover in the winter to stop rain getting in the crown. It makes an excellent container plant that can then be protected from winter rains. Latin name: Agave havardiana Common Name: Chisos Agave - Havard's Century Plant Ease of growing: moderate to difficult outdoors Position: Full sun, well-drained soil protect from winter rains. Hardiness: Hardy Soil Condition: Well drain sandy-gravely soil