While blue agave plants are well known because they are used to make awesome tequila in Mexico, there are other interesting details about agave plants which make them special. For starters, Agave plants are unique in how they bloom. They grow spectacular bloom stalks which grow vertically, and branch out with beautiful blooms. Of course, patience is required because it can take Agave plants between 10 to 20 years to bloom. After an Agave plant blooms, it leaves behind clones of themselves in the form of seeds, and then the plant dies. Most Agave plants are from the southern, arid regions in the United States and Mexico. Therefore, they can survive living in intense sun and drought. 

While agave plants are hardy, they require specific succulent care factors to really flourish.

Overwatering agave plants is always a concern because they don’t need much water, which makes water drainage important. Either a ceramic succulent pot or a plastic succulent pot works well for Agave plants because they ensure adequate drainage. Another plus is they come in vibrant colors to accentuate the stunning beauty and color of Agave plants. It is ideal for the pots to be an inch or two larger than the root ball of Agave plants. While Agave plants do not need to be repotted very often because of their slow growth rate, a new pot and fresh succulent potting soil every year or so is good succulent care practice.

A well-draining, well-aerated, chunky, succulent potting soil is recommended for drought resistant agave plants for appropriate succulent care. A succulent potting soil specifically created for succulent care such as a Agave Imperial Potting Mix is an excellent choice. This potting soil is recommended because it is a high quality, well-draining mix, created without peat moss, and specifically formulated for Agave plants.

Agave plants are content with lots of sunshine. If natural light is not available to the degree required to satiate Agave plants, a grow light will suffice. In fact, Agave plants do well with artificial lighting such as what is available in a LED Grow Light Kit, which will offer the sunlight necessary for sun-loving Agave plants.

Since Agave plants are very drought tolerant, it is better to underwater an Agave plant than to overwater it. They should only be watered after the soil in its pot has dried out. When watering agave plants, use a watering can because they can help control the amount of water poured.

A fertilizer such as FEED ME! Cactus and Succulent Food is a high-quality product and a good choice for Agave plants because it is low in sodium and urea free. After the first few years of an Agave plant’s life, use fertilizer sparingly because it may encourage flowering, which can cause Agave plants to die

Agave plants also benefit from occasional trimming of leaves. Succulent care requires only damaged or dead leaves be removed from Agave plants, but be careful to not remove healthy leaves. It is helpful to use specific pruning tools, such as our Pro Snips with Stem Notch, to get a complete cut without damaging the plant. Pruning shears are also recommended for trimming foliage because they minimize trauma to agave plants.