Since the various species of agave have spread throughout almost the entire Mediterranean region since they were settled by humans, they have become, in a sense, a longing botanical symbol of many coastal regions in Italy, France and Spain. If hobby gardeners want to create a Mediterranean flair in their own garden with this very frugal plant genus, they should be aware of the special needs of the agaves.
How do I properly care for my agaves in the garden?
To care for agaves in the garden, choose a sunny location in summer, only water when the soil is dry and plant them in well-drained soil containing gravel or sand. Overwinter potted plants in a bright room and protect outdoor agaves from too much moisture with a cover.
Agave plants placed seasonally in the garden
Most agaves in private gardens are cultivated in pots because they are not sufficiently hardy in this country. In summer, the plants can tolerate a very sunny and warm location on the terrace or along a southern house wall. You should only water agaves in pots when the top layer of soil is already dry and slightly crumbly. Agaves in pots should be repotted into a larger planter about every two to three years, although they should not be watered immediately after repotting. If potted agaves have been overwintered in a not so bright winter quarter, it is advisable to acclimate the agaves slowly in a partially shaded location at the start of the season outdoors.
Caring for agave plants planted in the garden
In some mild wine-growing locations, certain types of agave can even grow outdoors all year round, for example:
- Agave parryi
- Agave megalacantha
- Agave toumeyana
- Agave utahensis
These species should generally tolerate short-term frost down to around minus 15 degrees Celsius, but other problems can also arise outdoors. To prevent the agaves from rotting in winter, the plants must be placed in soil that is as permeable as possible and contains gravel or sand.
Beware of the thorns of the agaves
The long and sharp spines of the agaves can prove to be annoying not only when transporting them to the winter quarters, they are also usually exactly at eye level with the eyes of many children. An injury to the spines of the agave should not be underestimated, as it is not only extremely painful, but also heals relatively slowly. But you can be on the safe side by simply removing the danger from the spines of your agaves with bottle corks or a similar material. Many gardeners simply cut off the thorns, but this poses an unnecessary risk of disease to the plants and does not make the agaves look very aesthetic even after the wounds have healed.
Tip
The biggest threat to agaves in the garden is excess moisture. You can prevent this with a special roof or cover in winter. Plant the agaves as slightly as possible at an angle so that rainwater can run off the rosette of leaves.
