If you do want to fertilize the plant, use a diluted liquid fertilizer during the summer months, and refrain from fertilizing at all during winter. The surrounding tissues rot and turn red due to the deadly bacteria. This species of agaves reach up to 2 feet tall by 3 feet wide. The blooming section of the flower saps all of the energy from the plant, causing it to wither. Agave plants come in varied shapes and sizes. Furthermore, don’t leave it outside when it’s extremely cold, as it cannot handle frost. Environment. Required fields are marked *. The flower head of each plant can produce as much as 1000 liters of sap called aguamiel (honey water). Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The leaves on this type of agave are silvery, green-yellow rosettes. Email The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly. It is hardy through USDA hardiness zones 10 to 12, where it can grow outside all year round. Check out this article on 12 types of agave for your garden here. The leaves arise from a thick stem, then gracefully arch backward like an open flower. This is the most commonly known agave, also bearing the name ‘century plant’. With silver and pale green foliage, foxtail looks graceful. They are particularly striking in elegant garden pots, in rockeries and in uneven groups planted in a pattern in stone gardens. They prefer to grow in gravelly, well-drained soil in full sun. Once mature, fertilize only once during the growing season. Large types of agaves are difficult to be contained in containers, but there are smaller, more compact agave varieties available that you can grow in pots both outdoors and indoors. Leaves emerge from a tight central spear to arch gracefully back, looking a bit like a large open green flower. Agave attenuata subsp. The soil needs to be completely dry before watering again. It can acclimate to partial shade, especially if the shade is during the afternoon, as the plant can struggle with excessive heat and might appreciate some respite during the hottest part of the day. This would need to become much less frequent during the winter months when in most regions, the plant would be able to survive on rainwater alone. We have listed some varieties of Century Plant. It is a spineless variety with soft, attractive, pliable, threat-free green leaves. To maintain the variegated pattern, it is best to keep this plant in a position of full sun. Ease the fox tail agave out of its pot by gently squeezing and turning it. Used as a garden ornament and/or buffer because it is spineless. Az Agave attenuata az egyszikűek (Liliopsida) osztályának spárgavirágúak (Asparagales) rendjébe, ezen belül a spárgafélék (Asparagaceae) családjába tartozó faj. Home » Agave attenuata Agave attenuata (Agave) Agavaceae | Cactus Native To: Plateau of central Mexico Plant Status: Secure Plant Habit: Shrub Plant Habitat: Temperate and subtropical climates. To protect your plant, place it in partial shade. It offsets readily to form clumps. Mature fox tail agaves in a full sun position during the summer should be watered generously around once each week. Agave attenuata. If you are thinking of growing A. americana, the plant will thrive both indoors and outdoors. Your best option is to provide well-draining soil and enough sunlight. Once thought to flower only once every century, this majestic evergreen agave plant actually lives around 20-30 years, flowers, and then dies. Common name: Soft Leaved Agave, Lion’s Tail Agave, Swan’s Neck Agave, Foxtail Agave. Only fertilize this agave every two weeks when it is actively growing. To avoid root rot, make sure the soil remains dry between watering sessions. Currently, the Plants of The World Online website recognizes 269 species in the agave family. If the plant has sufficient water, its leaves will appear to be juicy and plump. Foxtail agaves grow best in USDA zones 10-12. At maturity, it produces a flowering stalk that can reach up to 15 feet tall with yellow-green flowers. This is a particularly hardy agave plant, with no known pests or diseases that it is susceptible to. The homeland of this species is the city of Jalisco, located in the Mexican state of Guadalajara. Lion's mane agave A. attenuata ' Variegata'. Agaves grow best in full sun with a well-drained soil essential. The flower is actually a raceme, which appears in the summertime, growing high above the foliage of the plant to a height of up to ten feet. “Agave attenuata (Schwanenhals-Agave, Foxtail-Agave)” by enbodenumer is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 An interesting representative of the Agave family, which can grow even inside a small pot. Each leaf can reach up to 4 feet in length, and will gently arch backward at the tip to give the impression of a giant flower opening up to the sun. The fountain like form makes for a striking addition to any garden. Foliage develops from a chunky central stem, which typically grows to 4 or 5 feet in height. As well as checking the soil, you can also check the foliage of the plant for this, as its leaves will shrink and shrivel when it is short on moisture. Height & Spread in a Pot: 10-16 inches. If you're in Southern CA, see my list of succulent nurseries and destinations. It is also known to handle ‘dry winters’ with temperatures as low as 20°F. If your garden experiences temperatures below 28°F, cover the plant with old blankets. But that’s not all you can do. The common ‘Yellow Ribbons’  variety is green with yellow stripes. It also forms a rosette resembling a flower that looks like a fox’s tail, which is the reason behind its unusual name. Agave plants are indigenous to Mexico and Southwest America but they can grow across many parts of the globe. A more recent study has reported it from Jalisco east to Mexico, in small colonies at elevations of 1,900 to 2,500 meters (6,200 to 8,200 ft), but there have been few sightings, suggesting this agave is rare in the wild. Homeland of this species is the city of Jalisco, which is located in the Mexican state of Guadalajara. The leaves arise from a thick stem, then gracefully arch backward like an open flower. This should be done in spring or early summer to minimize stress to the plant. Its pale green leaves feature vertical stripes of yellow, which give the impression of a lion’s mane when the leaves are packed into a rosette shape. The fox tail agave is a full sun plant and thrives in these conditions. 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. One thing you can do to ensure your fox tail agave receives the necessary nutrients is to refresh its soil every few years. That being said, the plant does have low water needs, so don’t make a habit of giving it too much water. Elsewhere, check with your local Cactus & Succulent Society of America chapter. In Mexico, it is distributed in the states of Colima, Durango, Guerrero, Jalisco, Michoacán, Nayarit, and México Statein altitudes between 400 and 2,500 meters (1,300 and 8,200 ft) on volcanic rock clifs … Agave nectar from the core of the plant makes a sweetener that substitutes for honey and sugar. Some other varieties of the fox tail agave include the following. This agave plant is also known as the lion’s tail, swan’s neck, or foxtail. Learn more. Types of Century Plant. Also, unlike other agaves, it has no teeth or terminal spines. After planting the blue agave, water it once a week for a month. However, it will be at its best when it receives regular water. : (a.k.a. The agave plant is a broad-leafed succulent that takes 8-10 years to mature. Discover (and save!) The leaves are hard and leathery with dark, thorny tips and interesting white marks. How many feet tall and wide you’re looking for, Whether your preferred agave can withstand the temperatures. Plant in full sun and free-draining soil. One of the drawbacks of using many agaves (Agave spp.) They prefer dryer conditions and do not need much water. Description: Agave attenuata is a native Mexican plant that forms rosettes of succulent-like, soft fleshy, lime green to bluish leaves. If you're in Tucson: Starr Nursery. All Rights Reserved. your own Pins on Pinterest Gardening Channel. The leaves on this type of agave are silvery, green-yellow rosettes. One of its unique characteristics is that it blooms only once, before dying shortly thereafter. Interesting Fact. Caribbean Agave Agaves are drought-resistant, giving them the ability to grow in harsh environments. Take a look at the video below to see how to get rid of this pest. The raceme is thick and sturdy and covered in tightly packed tiny white and yellow-green flowers. When planting in the ground, fox tail agaves should be planted at a distance of 8 feet from each other to ensure they have enough space to spread. Agave attenuata is a large evergreen succulent that is commonly known as fox tail agave, which is a reference to its striking flower stalk. Evergreen succulent with an outstanding rosette of large soft, fleshy, grey-green pointed foliage. Plant agave in well-drained soil and full sun, although it can tolerate light shade.