small agave plant

What is the smallest agave?

potatorum. Also known as Verschaffelt agave, this plant hails from the partial-desert areas in Mexico between Puebla and Oaxaca. Only 2 feet in diameter, this beauty is petite enough for any garden. Broad, blue-gray leaves with reddish spine tips offer a striking contrast to smaller agaves and red Echeveria varieties.

How big do agave plants get?

Agave plants (Agave spp.) generally are succulents with large leaves that end in spiny tips. There's a lot of variety in the agave genus. There are the large, stiff specimens that can grow to 10 feet or more in height and width.

What are the different types of agave?

Commonly grown species. Some commonly grown species include Agave americana, Agave angustifolia, Agave tequilana, Agave attenuata, Agave parviflora, Agave murpheyi, Agave vilmoriniana, Agave palmeri, Agave parryi, and Agave victoriae-reginae.

How do you take care of an agave plant?

Agaves need full sun and gritty soil that percolates easily. They can even do quite well when potted but use an unglazed clay pot that will allow evaporation of excess moisture. Water needs are moderate to light depending upon the heat of the season but the plants should be allowed to dry out before irrigation.

Is agave a succulent?

Agave is a type of succulent, commonly confused with cactus. Remember the rule that all cacti are succulents, but not all succulents are cacti. The main difference between agaves and cacti is the presence of leaves, cacti do not have them, while agaves do.

How long does it take blue agave to grow?

Agave is the plant from which tequila is made. Growing agave for tequila takes around 7 years for the plant to reach maturity for harvest.

Is agave plant poisonous to humans?

University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources characterizes agave as being mildly toxic. It describes the plant as having oxalate crystals in its leaves, which can cause extreme irritation.

How often should you water an agave plant?

Agaves require little attention to thrive. Water the plant every 4-5 days for the first month or two. After established, agaves need only be watered 2-3 times a month in summer, or more if you're in a low desert location.

Are agave plants toxic to dogs?

Agave (Agave spp.), which grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9 to 11, is mildly toxic to dogs and humans when ingested. It probably won't kill your canine companion, but it will probably cause discomfort and pain.

Which agave is edible?

Agave teuilana, from which Tequila is produced. There are four major parts of the agave that are edible: the flowers, the leaves, the stalks or basal rosettes, and the sap (in Spanish: aguamiel, meaning "honey water"). Each agave plant will produce several pounds of edible flowers during its final season.

What is agave used for?

Agave nectar, or agave syrup, is a natural sweetener commonly used in food and drinks. It can be used as a substitute for sugar, simple syrup, honey, and molasses to sweeten a variety of beverages, including cocktails, coffee, and tea. The flavor of agave nectar is unique.

How can you tell agave?

Look for thick, stiff symmetrical leaves ranging in color from blue-gray to gray or blue to dark-blue with spiny margins that taper to a sharp point. The dark-red or black spines growing from the leaf margins are about 1/3-inch long and those growing from the tips grow to around 1/2-inch long.

How long do agave plants live?

There are over 250 agave species and most flower towards the end of their life and then die. Actually, the length of time an agave lives is largely dependent on the species. In my experience in the managed landscapes, most agave live approximately 5 – 15 years, once planted from a 5-gallon container.

Can you cut an agave stem and replant?

It seems a little brutal but you just cut it off as low as you can go! Dig a hole that's as deep as the cut off stem, drop it in with a bit of osmocote and Voilá! Ready for another 5 years of looking great.

Do agave plants die after they bloom?

American agave plants are known for their fairly fatalistic life cycles: live, die, repeat. After blooming, the plants are expected to die shortly thereafter, usually leaving behind clones of themselves in the form of seeds.

Why agave is bad for you?

Your body is well equipped to handle the small amounts of fructose found in fruit. Because agave syrup is much higher in fructose than plain sugar, it has greater potential to cause adverse health effects, such as increased belly fat and fatty liver disease.

Is agave healthier than sugar?

Agave is not a healthful replacement for table sugar. While it is less harmful and more natural, people who are closely managing blood glucose should avoid agave. The high fructose content can reduce insulin sensitivity and may worsen liver health. Agave is also a higher-calorie sweetener than table sugar.

How often do agave plants bloom?

A: The century plant, Agave americana, is monocarpic, meaning it will bloom once in its lifetime. That bloom may not appear for 10, 20 or more years, depending on the climate. Many species in the genus Agave flower just once, although there are a few that are repeat bloomers.

Can agave get too much water?

Don't give them too much water – they can't hold it.” Agaves need excellent drainage; if their roots stand in water or get too much moisture, they'll rot. That can be an issue if the agaves are planted in the ground, especially in heavy clay soils.

How much does an agave plant cost?

According to an industry survey by Taste Tequila, the plant can cost as much as 25 pesos ($1.31) per kilogram, up from 2 pesos (10 cents) in 2012. In Jalisco, Mexico, ground zero for growing agave, farmers are struggling to keep up.

Is Blue Agave better than honey?

Honey is the clear winner. But both honey and agave nectar are caloric sweeteners and offer little added nutritional value. Honey is better than agave nectar because it is: higher in antioxidants.