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Care of the plant Agave datylio or Datilillo.

Care of the succulent plant Agave datylio or Datilillo

The genus Agave, family Asparagaceae, comprises about 350 species of succulent plants native to Mexico, the Southwest of the United States and Central America. Some species are: Agave datylio, Agave ferdinandi-regisAgave horridaAgave vilmorinianaAgave angustifoliaAgave univittataAgave lechuguilla, Agave stricta, Agave sisalana, Agave shawii, Agave potatorum, Agave parryi, Agave parrasana, Agave macroacantha, Agave filifera, Agave bracteosa, Agave attenuata, Agave americana, Agave victoria-reginae, Agave guadalajarana, Agave striata, Agave impressa, Agave ferox, Agave deserti, Agave chiapensis.

Common names: Datilillo, La Paz upright agave, Century Plant. This species is native to the Baja California peninsula.

They are slow-growing succulent plants with rosette leaves that reach 1.5 meters (4.92 feet) in diameter. The long, lanceolate leaves are light green in color and have a stiff spine at the tip. The flowers are greenish yellow. The plant dies after flowering but before it produces lateral suckers.

Datilillo is used in groups on dry, sunny slopes, as isolated specimens, in rockeries, and in pots for patios and terraces. They are ideal for Mediterranean coastal gardens.

Agave datylio prefers full sun exposure but will also grow in light shade (especially young plants). They resist occasional frosts down to -3 ºC (26.6 ºF).

The soil can be a mixture of normal garden soil and volcanic rock or gravel in equal parts.

Century Plant is very drought-resistant plants that need very moderate watering, waiting for the substrate to dry completely.

La Paz upright agave does not need fertilizer or pruning.

Agave datylio is a plant resistant to the usual pests and diseases but sensitive to excess moisture.

Century Plant is propagated by separating the suckers (beware of the thorns) in spring or summer and from seeds sown in spring. 

Images of the succulent plant Agave datylio or Datilillo

Agave datylio
Agave datylio
Agave datylio
Agave datylio