Agave bracteosa or Spider agave

Care of the succulent plant Agave bracteosa or Spider agave

The Agave genus, a subfamily of the Agavoideae, comprises some 300 species of succulent plants native to Mexico, Central America and the Southwest of the USA. Some species are: Agave bracteosa, Agave attenuata, Agave americana, Agave stricta, Agave potatorum, Agave victoria-reginae, Agave striata, Agave impressa, Agave ferox, Agave filifera, Agave macroacantha, Agave sisalana, Agave guadalajarana, Agave ferdinandi-regis, Agave shawii, Agave parrasana, Agave parryi, Agave angustifolia, Agave vilmoriniana, Agave univittata, Agave lechuguilla, Agave datylio.

Common names: Lion's tail, Swan's neck, Foxtail agave. This species is native to Jalisco, Mexico.

They are small succulent plants that reach 50 cm (1.64 feet) in height (without flowers). The attractive leaves (up to 70 cm/2.29 feet in length) are bright green in color, lanceolate in shape, curved downwards and have no spines. The spectacular floral stem, covered in greenish-white flowers, reaches 2 meters (6.56 feet) in height. They do not always die after flowering but they always produce suckers at their base. They bloom in early summer.

Its growth is slow so they are ideal for use in pots as well as rockeries, slopes, borders, as an isolated specimen and in undergrowths.

Agave bracteosa can be grown in semi-shade, shade and full sun exposures; It is not recommended to grow them in full sun in very hot summer climates as the leaves turn yellow.

It's important that the soil drain very well for which we will use a mixture of 50% leaf mulch and 50% coarse sand or a commercial cactus substrate. In case of transplant, it is preferable to do it in early spring.

Water moderately taking into account that they resist drought well; They also tolerate more humidity than other agaves. In winter there is almost no need to water them; do not water if the winter is rainy.

They do not need pruning or fertilization.

They do not suffer attacks of pests and diseases if there is no excess irrigation.

The easiest way to propagate is by rooting the shoots that the mother plant produces.