Minature Agave

Minature Agave Care

Agave Desmettiana 'variegata'

What is the plant

Agave desmetiana 'Variegata' (Variegated Smooth Agave) - This is a medium sized upright agave that forms an upright urn-shaped rosette with 3 foot long by 4 inch wide leaves terminating in sharp reddish-brown spines. The leaves are bright green with yellow variegation along the margins. Spines are minute or nonexistent along the margins. It is quick growing and often produces many offsets. Plant in full sun. Drought tolerant. Hardy to around 25° F and a little lower for short durations - we have heard from a grower in Austin, Texas who noted that they had leaf damage after 2 nights with temperatures down to 25° F for several hours. This plant is called Agave 'Golden Moments' in Australia.

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Humidity

High

Lighting

Part Sun

Temperature

-3°C - 7°C

Hardiness zone

5 - 11

Difficulty

Easy

Hibernation

Cold Period

Toxicity

Poisonous

How to Care for the Plant

Water
Established agave plants have a high tolerance for drought, but young plants will need a little more soil moisture. In general, water your plant every one to two weeks in the summer when it is actively growing, waiting for the top 2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings. For the rest of the year, water the plant about once a month, making sure not to let the soil completely dry out.
Fertilizer
Fertilize your container agave plant monthly in the spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength. No fertilization is necessary in the fall and winter.
Sunlight
Agave plants thrive in full sun throughout the year. In very hot climates they might need a bit of shade because harsh sun can burn their foliage. However, when grown indoors they should be by your brightest window, ideally a sunny south- or west-facing window. Rotate the container every week or two to ensure that all sides of the plant receive light and grow evenly. You also can move the container outdoors in warm weather, so your agave can luxuriate in full sunlight.

Disease diagnosis

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Soil
Agave can live in any soil type that has good drainage, though it prefers sandy or rocky soil with a slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil pH. When planting agave in a container, use a quality cactus or succulent potting mix.
Temperature
Agave species are desert plants, thriving in warm temperatures and low humidity. Indoors, make sure your temperature remains between 65 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. And protect your plant from cold drafts, such as those from an air conditioner. Typically indoor humidity isn’t an issue for agave, as it won’t reach a high enough level that can cause rot and other problems for the plant.
Additional
The sap of agave species is toxic both to people and animals when ingested and via skin contact. Typically there’s only a mild or moderate reaction. But if small children or pets ingest a lot of the plant, it can be serious.