Reports of impressive agave flowers in this country appear with some regularity in the media and relevant garden forums. This raises the question of the extent to which the agave species, which are mainly found in the Mediterranean region in Europe, can also be cultivated outdoors all year round in more northern regions.
Which types of agave are hardy?
Are agaves hardy? Some agave species such as Agave parryi, Agave utahensis, Agave inaequidens and Agave havardiana are frost-tolerant and can withstand temperatures between -10 and -20 degrees Celsius under suitable site conditions. However, you should protect them from waterlogging and extreme temperature fluctuations.
When choosing the right type of agave, pay attention to its frost tolerance
First of all, you should be aware that the different agaves come from different regions of the American continent and also populate supposedly barren habitats with a desert and mountain character. Even in desert areas with extreme heat during the day, frosts can occur at night. Most agave species can therefore withstand light frosts over short periods of time. But that doesn't mean that the exotic-looking plant is automatically winter-proof in this country. The following agave species can withstand temperatures between -10 and -20 degrees Celsius under suitable site conditions:
- Agave parryi
- Agave utahensis
- Agave inaequidens
- Agave havardiana
Protect large specimens properly in pots
Many gardeners have already experienced this situation in their own garden: First, they received an offshoot of an agave from a neighbor or brought it with them from vacation. With good care, it has developed so well over the years that it had to be repotted into larger and larger planters. Finally, the agave in the garden is so large that it can no longer be easily transported to its winter quarters. In milder weather conditions, these stately agaves may be able to survive the winter outdoors if they are placed on a pallet (€12.00 on Amazon) and wrapped well with bubble wrap to protect them from ground frost. You should stop watering the plant beforehand so that the wrapped plant does not rot during the winter. Due to the extreme temperature fluctuations, do not place the agave in a sunny place in front of a wall, but rather in a partially shaded location with good wind protection.
Potential dangers of wintering other than frost
If agaves have a lot of yellow leaves after winter, it has to do with frost. Agaves are often only insufficiently winter-proof when the roots rot unnoticed due to severe waterlogging. It can help if the plants are planted with a suitable substrate and placed in the ground at a slight angle so that rainwater can drain away. In addition, all fertilization should be stopped in late summer.
Young plants are more sensitive than older agaves
Freshly propagated agave offshoots are significantly more sensitive to overwintering than older specimens. That's why Kindel should be separated from the respective mother plant in spring if possible and initially overwintered indoors in cold regions.
Tip
If you don't want to worry about whether your agave in the garden is winter-proof, you can alternatively opt for the candle palm lily in the garden, which looks similar to the agave.
