The Ultimate Guide to Growing Agave Tequilana (Blue Agave Plant)

Blue Agave plants are succulents typically with large spiky leaves that form the shape of a large flower. The great thing about the Agave Tequilana is that there are plenty of variants, so you can choose the size and shape that suits the space you have in mind.

The agave foliage is very striking and often makes great statement pieces for decoration purposes. If you have a larger area, you can find blue agaves that grow to more than 10 ft in both height and width, which can happily fill a large gap and are perfect for grand entrances.

However, if you’re working with a smaller space and just want something to spruce up a bedroom or living area, smaller agaves are available which often come in the size of a small plate.

Agave varieties can also differ in color. Some of the larger varieties are often a blue/green color, whereas the smaller ones or the ones that prefer warmer climates are often paler, looking more gray/green. Some can even look patterned, with grey, white, or gold markings on the foliage. There are loads of aesthetic options with this plant, so be sure to explore all types before purchasing!

The Blue Agave is a really great variety for beginners. The plant loves to be left alone and is not too fussy about water, light, and soil requirements – it couldn’t be easier! Let’s take a look at some of the best care advice for this plant to make sure it grows well and keeps healthy.

Things to Know About the Blue Agave

A fascinating thing to know about Blue Agave is that it’s monocarpic, which sounds complicated, but simply means it will only bloom once. This is really handy to know as an owner, as it means you only have to care for one blooming season, whereas other plants, especially those that flower, will require different care for different seasons, depending on when it grows.

This plant can be kept indoors, provided it has ample access to sunlight and is watered frequently. However, many owners have praised the Blue Agave for its success as a staple feature in gardens. It can also be helpful to keep these succulents outside because brushing up against the spiky tips can sometimes be painful!

As the technical name would suggest, there is a link between the Agave species and tequila, the popular alcoholic spirit. Tequila is made from the bulb inside the core of this plant, called the piña. The piña is then baked and squeezed. You can ferment the juice with yeast in order to make tequila. This plant has therefore contributed significantly to the Mexican economy and culture.

Caring for the Blue Agave

As previously mentioned, the blue agave will pretty much take care of itself, especially if it’s kept outside and has natural sources of light and water.

However, if you live in a drier area or choose to keep your Blue Agave inside, the two most important things to remember are good access to light and well-draining soil.

Light

The Blue Agave will prefer full sunlight, as available in its native Mexico. They can tolerate shade, but only in small amounts, so if you are keeping this plant inside, make sure it’s on a windowsill or somewhere with access to direct sunlight. Do not keep this plant in the darkness or in a shaded patch outside – it will not thank you for it!

Water

When you first plant the Agave Tequilana, you should water it every four or five days, particularly for the first month. After it has settled in, it is more than capable of tolerating drought. Only consider watering them if you haven’t received rainfall for a while.

Soil

You can use any well-draining to plant the Agave Tequilana. However, they may thrive even better in sand or rock-based soil. If we’re being super specific, they will prefer a slightly acidic pH level, perhaps around 6 or 6.5.

Humidity

Low humidity is preferable for this environment. You will not have to mist this plant unlike other succulents and high humidity can lead to rotting. So then, avoid over-exposing it to moisture.

Temperature

These plants hate the cold temperature, so if you live in a predominantly cold area with little access to sunshine, this one might not be for you. Frost will not be healthy for this plant – it will prefer the heat and the sun!

Feeding

You can use fertilizers but they aren’t necessary for this plant. It is possible for agave plants to flower, but this is something you’ll want to avoid. Shortly after flowering, the Agave Tequilana will die, so we do not recommend using a fertilizer.

Potential Problems of Agave Tequilana

There are some potential problems in growing Agave Tequilana.

Overwatering

Yellowing leaves are a common sign of overwatering. This plant will not mind if you leave it without water for a bit and although you may think you’re helping by providing water, you may in fact be drowning it!

Droopy leaves are something to monitor too. This can be an early sign of agave snout weevil but can also signal overwatering. Root rot is another common side effect of overwatering. It can severely deteriorate the health of this plant if not solved.

Pests and Diseases

Pests and diseases aren’t a major consideration, but agave snout weevil will be a major issue if it works its way into your plant’s core. It can lay eggs and will kill the plant. There isn’t a huge amount you can do to save the Agave Tequilana if this happens. So you’re better off removing it from the area before it spreads to any neighboring agaves.

Final Thoughts

This plant is a fantastic choice if you need a large staple feature plant in your garden or you’re looking to spruce your space up inside. Although they are exposed to better conditions (on the whole) when they’re outside, potting agaves are not uncommon and can be successful with a little more attention.