Agave montana (Mountain Agave) is an evergreen, perennial succulent forming a rosette of fleshy, broad, upright, apple green leaves with large cinnamon-red teeth along the margins and a stout terminal spine.
Adding intriguing beauty, the leaves carry on their lower surfaces the distinct imprints of the thorny leaf margins of the previous outer leaf-bud. While infrequent, mature plants (over 10 years) flower only once.
They are topped with a gigantic asparagus shoot, which emerges straight up from the heart and can reach 12 ft. (4m). It bears 20 to 30 short side branches with brilliant yellow flowers tightly packed at their tips. This solitary agave does not produce offshoots or pups.
How to Grow and Care
Agave is not a difficult plant to grow. They’re slow-growing and dramatic and will even thrive on a bit of neglect. If you’re the type of person who likes to fuss with houseplants and water a lot, Agave is probably not the plant for you. If, however, you’re the type of person who likes to set it and forget it, and you have a sunny window, Agave might the way to go. Be aware that some of the large varieties will eventually outgrow your room (unless you have a large greenhouse), and Agave can be aggressive. They have irritating sap and sometimes very sharp thorns that can cause injuries to small children and even pets.
Light: Bright sunlight year-round. Consider moving your plants outside during the summer, where they can luxuriate in full sunlight, and make sure they get plenty of winter light.
Water: In spring, water with warm water just as the soil begins to dry out. Don’t let the soil become completely dry. In the winter and fall, when growth is suspended, water very lightly.
Temperature: They prefer warm spring and summer temperatures (70ºF/21ºC – 90ºF/32ºC) and cooler fall and winter temps (50ºF/10ºC – 60ºF/15ºC).
Soil: Use standard succulent or cacti potting mix.
Fertilizer: Feed in spring and summer; do not feed during fall and winter...
- Learn more at TIPS: HOW TO GROW AND CARE AGAVE
Origin:
Agave montana, native to the mountains of northeastern Mexico.
Adding intriguing beauty, the leaves carry on their lower surfaces the distinct imprints of the thorny leaf margins of the previous outer leaf-bud. While infrequent, mature plants (over 10 years) flower only once.
They are topped with a gigantic asparagus shoot, which emerges straight up from the heart and can reach 12 ft. (4m). It bears 20 to 30 short side branches with brilliant yellow flowers tightly packed at their tips. This solitary agave does not produce offshoots or pups.
- Scientific Name: Agave montana Villarreal
- Common Names: Mountain Agave, Mountain Century Plant
- Family: Asparagaceae
- Subfamily: Agavoideae
- Genus: Agave
How to Grow and Care
Agave is not a difficult plant to grow. They’re slow-growing and dramatic and will even thrive on a bit of neglect. If you’re the type of person who likes to fuss with houseplants and water a lot, Agave is probably not the plant for you. If, however, you’re the type of person who likes to set it and forget it, and you have a sunny window, Agave might the way to go. Be aware that some of the large varieties will eventually outgrow your room (unless you have a large greenhouse), and Agave can be aggressive. They have irritating sap and sometimes very sharp thorns that can cause injuries to small children and even pets.
Light: Bright sunlight year-round. Consider moving your plants outside during the summer, where they can luxuriate in full sunlight, and make sure they get plenty of winter light.
Water: In spring, water with warm water just as the soil begins to dry out. Don’t let the soil become completely dry. In the winter and fall, when growth is suspended, water very lightly.
Temperature: They prefer warm spring and summer temperatures (70ºF/21ºC – 90ºF/32ºC) and cooler fall and winter temps (50ºF/10ºC – 60ºF/15ºC).
Soil: Use standard succulent or cacti potting mix.
Fertilizer: Feed in spring and summer; do not feed during fall and winter...
- Learn more at TIPS: HOW TO GROW AND CARE AGAVE
Origin:
Agave montana, native to the mountains of northeastern Mexico.
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