busylama

Features of the Agave succulent genus and how to grow it

Agave plant is a perennial succulent crop that is widespread throughout the world. Plants of this genus are used in cosmetics, cooking, medicine, and the production of alcoholic beverages. In our article, we will describe the features of this succulent and how to care for it at home.

Description and features of the genus Agave

The genus Agave combines the subfamily Agavoideae from the Asparagaceae family. It enumerates about 400 varieties of crops that are widespread in Central America, in the southern regions of the United States, as well as in the Caribbean.

All species of the genus Agave are characterized by large leaves forming rosettes with a diameter of 16 cm to 6 meters. The leaves of each species vary in size, shape, texture, and color. As a rule, in most varieties of Agave, the edges of the leaf plates are covered with spikes of various sizes, and hard, sharp spikes are located on the tips of the leaves. Although there are types of thornless succulents with soft leathery leaves. The look of crops, based on the variety, can vary significantly. The shade can be green, bluish-green, gray, there are also varieties with stripes of white or yellow.

Many representatives of the Agave genus are used to growing in the wild, mainly in desert and high mountain regions. Agave roots allow the plant to fill with moisture from various sources - rain, condensation or dew.

Seeing the Agave bloom is a rare occurrence, as it happens once every 30-60 years. In this case, a long arrow is formed, on which a spikelet or panicle grows. In some species, the peduncle can reach 10 meters. Its flowering time is 24 hours. In this short time, you can admire more than a hundred miniature yellowish-green bells. Most species of Agaves are monocarpic succulents. After flowering and fruit development, the central rosette dies. That is why it is believed that the Agave plant blooms once in a lifetime.

Initially, cultures in Europe appeared in the 2nd half of the 16th century, gaining wide popularity as exotic ornamental plants. Now they can be grown on the streets, in gardens, in greenhouses, as well as indoors (depending on the region).

Agave is often confused with cacti, aloe and other crops. Although they are characterized by such a feature as succulence (collection and retention of moisture in various plant structures), but each group belongs to different families. Cacti and stonecrops are classified as Eudicots, and Agave, Aloe are monocots. Agave is often compared to Aloe, but these are also representatives of different families. Aloe belongs to the Asphodel family.

Description of common species of the genus Agave

We offer a brief look at the most popular species of the genus Agave with a brief description.

Agave filifera (filamentous)

This species differs in thin leaf plates (up to 2-4 centimeters). Their length is up to 30 centimeters. The hue is the original matte green, has a white border around the edges.

This agave forms rosettes of loose type. At the tip of each leaf there is a thorn of brown color, over time it becomes with gray tint. A distinctive feature of the species is that there are dry fibers along the edges of the leaves.

Agave double-flowered (Agave geminiflora)

It is also called an agave "with two flowers." It can grow up to 200 leaves, they are usually linear, hard, have a dark green color with convex edges.

The flowers reach up to 5-6 cm, which grow on tall inflorescences.

Queen Victoria Agave (Agave victoria-reginae)

This is one of the most beautiful varieties of the genus. It is notable for its compact, slow-growing rosette in adulthood growing up to 90 cm in volume.

The peculiar features of the plant are white stripes on the edges of the leaves, emphasizing the beauty of the flower.

Agave Vilmorena (Agave vilmoriniana)

This is quite a large plant, resembling an octopus in its appearance, more than a meter high.

The leaves are oblong in shape, which gradually narrow and fold into a long tip, descending to the ground. They are painted in bluish color with a marble image.

Agave titanota

This is a medium-sized plant. It grows to a height of up to 60 centimeters, has thick, pale shoots, bluish leaves.

The leaves are wide (up to 12 cm), but narrow at the base with protruding teeth.

Agave potatorum (Drunkards’ Agave)

It is one of the most beautiful species of the genus Agave. Succulent sizes - from 30 centimeters to fairly large forms - up to 1 meter.

The leaves can be of different shapes, there are teeth along the edges.

Blue Agave or textile Agave (Agave tequilana)

This is probably the most famous type of Agave. It can reach up to 5 meters in height.

It has open rosettes, as well as leaves of light green hue, close to blue. The plant blooms with yellow buds. Only from this type of culture do the well-known alcoholic drink Tequila.

American Agave (Agave americana)

This is a perennial representative of the genus with juicy thick leaves of greenish color.

Along the edges there are sharp spikes, with sharp spines. It blooms greenish with a splash of yellow. The reproduction is mainly by seed method or offspring. This is the most common species in North America.

Drawn Agave (Agave attenuata)

It is distinguished by a rather powerful stem, reaching up to 15 centimeters in diameter. Its height is up to one and a half meters.

The rosette has a bluish-green color with gray tints. The leaves reach up to 0.7 meters in length. The flowers are greenish with yellow.

How to care for Agave succulents

Different types of the genus have their own characteristics in growing, especially at home. We will briefly describe the general criteria for caring for succulents of the genus Agave.

Pot

Adult Agaves can grow to large sizes, even indoors. This must be taken into account when choosing a pot. Choose a pot a size larger than the previous one. Agaves also produce side shoots that can grow quickly to cover your pot. Try to choose a pot that is wider and deeper than the root system of the succulent, always with drainage holes.

Soil

These plants like sandy, rocky, well-drained soil. You can use soil purchased from a garden center or make your own.

Light

Indoors, your plant will need bright light for at least six hours each day. Keep it near a window facing west or south, and illuminate it with artificial light if necessary.

In the summer, take your potted plant outside for it to enjoy warm weather and sunshine.

Temperature

These plants like warm air (22 - 32 °C) during the growing season. During the winter months, your indoor Agave will be comfortable at a temperature of at least 10 - 15 °C.

Watering

During the warmer months, water the Agave thoroughly when the soil is completely dry. Generally, a weekly schedule will be optimal. During the fall and winter months, water it sparingly about once a month.

Fertilizer

Because a potted plant is limited in obtaining the nutrients and minerals in its surrounding soil, it must be provided with a monthly top dressing of diluted succulent fertilizer during the growing season. It is not necessary to fertilize the Agave in winter.

Pruning the Agave plant

The main aspect of pruning is to remove dead leaves and destroy any areas that may be affected by disease. Seasonal pruning is also carried out. Just before the growing season you should trim the succulent. At the end of winter, cut off dead and damaged leaves to make room for new ones.

As a houseplant, Agave will need to be pruned for safety and convenience. In this case, you should also cut off any protruding leaf spikes that may be dangerous to others. When cutting the plant, do not overdo it. Excessive pruning causes stress to the plant, reduces its ability to store water (its main function in life).

Replanting an Agave plant

Because this flower grows slowly, repotting should be done infrequently. Many experienced flower growers claim that these plants do not like to be disturbed, so it is best not to touch them until they outgrow their pot. Replant the agave using a pot that is one size larger than the current one. It is likely that the extra space will be used by the plant for growing side shoots, keep this in mind.

Water the plant before removing it from the old pot. Prepare a fresh, well-drained soil mix for succulents or cacti. Pack the soil carefully around the roots so that the succulent does not tip over. Make sure you don't bury the plant too deep in the soil. The short stem should be exposed to air to avoid rotting.

Once the replanting is complete, water it again, but do not fertilize. This will stimulate root development and the plant will quickly put down new roots.

Remember that every time you handle Agave, you must protect yourself from cuts and exposure to the juice. Be sure to wear gloves and long sleeves when replanting agave. Wash your hands afterwards to remove any excess sap that may have been on your skin.

How to propagate an Agave succulent

This plant is easy to propagate with the help of side branches (kids). When replanting, simply separate the babies from the mother plant with a sharp knife or scissors. Sometimes they can simply be unscrewed by hand, without much effort.

Some species of Agaves produce side shoots on pedicels. The best time for breeding is spring and summer. When you remove the cuttings from the parent, make sure that the roots of the children are intact and the rosette is formed. Although a cutting without roots can also be planted and will grow normally.

Let the cuttings dry for one week before planting. Plant them in properly prepared, well-drained soil. After rooting the children in a new pot, you need to take care of them, like ordinary plants. Moisturize young plants well in the beginning, but be careful not to overdo it.

Agave is also easy to propagate from seeds. But, since this plant blooms once at the end of its life, it will be difficult to wait for the seeds.

Agave plant diseases and pests

At home, healthy plants are rarely attacked by pests. But sometimes you can find mealybugs and scale insects on the leaves. With the help of cotton wool soaked in alcohol, these pests can be removed easily.

Of the diseases that this plant can be exposed to, it is worth noting bacterial and fungal rot. This can happen if the plant is in a humid environment or gets wet frequently. Yellowed leaves are the first sign of disease. From time to time, antifungal drugs can be used as a preventive measure for rot. Infected leaves must be removed.

Where and how Agave is used in the household?

Agave foliage is often used as an excellent material for making ropes, tightropes, twine, and packaging fabrics. From the waste obtained from the culture, paper is produced, mainly wrapping paper. A variety called "Kantala" is widely used to make targets that are needed for the game "Darts".

The sap of adult plants (starting from the 6th year) is eaten. It is harvested in the spring before the start of flowering. The duration of this season is two months. In 1 day, you can collect up to 0.3 liters of a healthy drink. The juice has a transparent shade, slightly with greenish inserts, it tastes sweet, but with a characteristic bitterness.

Syrup is also prepared from some varieties, the consistency of which resembles flower honey.

Separately, we should talk about the popular Mexican drink - tequila. It is made from the core of the Agave tequilana variety. For such purposes, the culture is grown in special fields, which are located at an altitude of 1500 meters, above the sea level. The soil used is sandy, well conducting moisture, saturated with iron, as well as nutritious mineral components.

When collecting the plants, special sharp tools (soa) are used, which perfectly remove oblong leaves, as well as the root system. Then the core is sent to the factory for further processing. Alcohol from agave juice is considered a real Mexican pride.

It is produced only in 5 states of Mexico, but the most popular tequila is the one made in the State of Jalisco. The right drink has a delicate aroma and clear color.

The plantations where the Blue Agave grows are included in the UNESCO list. They are protected by law. This also applies to local factories that produce Tequila.

The use of Agave in cosmetology

Agave's treatment of various cosmetic problems is no less popular. For example, succulent juice is actively used to eliminate acne, pimples, boils. It is applied in the form of compresses to problem areas. To additionally moisturize dry skin, you can use a lotion based on agave juice and olive oil, it is mixed in equal proportions. Also, with the help of such a natural component, you can treat the skin after burns or injuries.

To improve complexion, use frozen agave juice, which is formed into cubes. You need to wipe the face in the morning and evening with these cubes. This will lead to a decrease in rashes, rejuvenation of the skin, its toning.

If there are abscesses or irritable processes on the face, they take a leaf of the plant, cut it into 2 parts, and apply it to the inflammatory area. This helps reduce pus, and provides the rapid healing of the problem area.

The Agave plant: use in folk medicine

The evergreen Agave is widely eaten in Mexico. For this, flower stalks of the Agave are used, which are prepared like vegetables. The blue variety of culture is widespread in the field of medicine. It contains a fairly large amount of chemicals that significantly increase the effect of the use of certain drugs.

The field of pharmacology has long adopted the healing properties of this plant, so medicines based on such a culture really help with various diseases. Especially popular are the means for the stomach and intestines. They help in the fight against colitis, improve intestinal motility, and help with Crohn's disease.

    The main useful properties of agave include:
  • removing excess fluid from tissues;
  • strengthening the nervous system;
  • improvement of metabolism, digestive process.

NB! If you have any medical condition or allergy, please be sure consult your doctor prior to taking any medication or remedy!

Traditional medicine offers many recipes based on this culture. For example, a tincture of agave leaves helps cope with bloating, heartburn. According to recent studies, it has been established that the agave culture can be used for the manufacture of vitamin complexes and special additives.

Also, the juice of the culture is used to treat respiratory diseases. It is excellent for colds and coughs. To enhance the effect, the liquid is mixed with honey in a ratio of 1:1.

Contraindications to taking Agave

Not everyone can drink Agave juice. It is not allowed to use for pregnant and lactating women.

Girls with sensitive skin types should not apply it to the skin. This can lead to chemical burns.

Before internal use of the drink, it is better to consult a doctor.

Answers to frequently asked questions about the Agave succulent

We have collected the most popular questions about this succulent and provide answers.

What is Agave?

This is a succulent culture and has no relationship with the cactus; it is a close relative of indoor amaryllis. According to the classification – it is a herbaceous plant of the Agave subfamily.

What family does Agave belong to?

This culture belongs to the Asparagus family.

What continent does the agave plant grow on?

The birthplace of culture is the territory of Central and South America.

How to plant Agave?

For planting a crop, lateral or root offspring are used. The babies that appear on the bush are carefully separated with a sharp blade, dried for 24 hours, and then placed in a separate pot with prepared soil. Culture does not need shelter covering.

How does Agave reproduce?

For propagation, the seed method, cuttings or the use of root suckers are used.

How is agave pollinated?

The flowers of such plants are pollinated by butterflies, various insects and bats.

Welcome to Busylama

Joining our website you accept Busylama's Privacy Policy