Page 26 - Intra Muros March Issue 2025

Handle your attractive Agave with care
By Elize Malan
GARDENING

HANDLE YOUR ATTRACTIVE AGAVE

WITH CARE

By Elize Malan

f you are looking for a spectacular accent • In the right growing conditions – dry and especially via overhead sprinklers.
plant that is drought- and heat-resistant, arid, with limited fertilisation – the plant The primary sign on a plant includes
Ichoose an Agave species. It doesn’t work is slow growing and can take 10 to 40 unsightly sunken lesions on the crown
for me personally because of its sharp years to reach flowering stage. As potted and the sword-like leaves, often with a
spines. specimens, they rarely flower; this will visible, reddish-brown spore mass. The
prolong the plant’s life. disease spores spread from plant to
The plants grow in a symmetrical rosette • The core/fruit of the Agave plant is used plant via splashing water or wind-blown
shape. It has succulent, fibrous leaves to make tequila. The name is protected rain. Treating anthracnose is not always
that come in a wide variety of colours and under international trade agreements successful and the plant can die.
shapes. Most species have leaves ending and can only be used for Agave spirits • It’s best to plant your agave in full
in a very sharp spine, but there are a few produced in specific regions of Tequila, sunlight, always in well-drained soil.
exceptions, such as Agave attenuata. Mexico, following strict guidelines. • Irrigate the plant using drip irrigation
or a soaker hose and avoid overhead
Points of interest Diseases and prevention sprinklers. Never water overhead if a
• Agave americana var. expansa will easily • During stressful periods the plants will disease is present.
grow three metres tall and wide. It is not dehydrate and become dormant until
suitable for your average garden. conditions for growth return. Despite How to propagate
• Agave americana, a species that was their adaptations, the plants suffer from • Pups, or in some species bulbil (plantlets),
planted in parts of South Africa in days diseases. can be removed from the mother plant.
gone by, is now on the invasive plant • Agave has a shallow rhizomatous root • Use a succulent soil mix that’s slightly
list. The plants were useful for fodder system, and a wet summer will cause moist, and do not plant small plants too
and erosion in the dry, arid parts of the the lower leaves to show black spots. deep.
country, but escaped to more temperate Debris in the rosette can cause rotting. • After planting, leave the small plants for
regions where they became problematic. Mealiebug infection will require chemical two days without watering. Always allow
• Agave plants are mostly monocarpic, treatment. the soil to dry out completely before
which means they will only flower once • Fungal diseases such as anthracnose watering again.
and then die. Luckily, the mother plant generally occur when growing conditions
produces pups (suckers) at the base of are wet and humid. It can be the result of The Agave plant is indigenous to Mexico,
the plant to replace it. too much shade or excessive irrigation, Central America, South America and the
Caribbean Islands. You will certainly be
able to find a species to grow successfully
in your garden.

References:
- https://www.gardendesign.com/succulents/agave
- https://www.thegardener.co.za/the-gardener-
online/march-2023/
- https://www.extension.arizona.edu/sites/default/
files/2024-08/az1399.pdf
- https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/
ornamental/cacti-succulents/agave/anthracnose-
on-agave-plants
Tel: 012 804 1807 |Fax: 012 804 0278
Web: www.garden-group.co.za
Email: admin@garden-group.co.za

24 | INTRAMUROS MARCH 2025