Consulta Plantas

Care of the succulent plant Agave vivipara or Caribbean Agave

The genus Agave, family Asparagaceae, includes about 350 species of succulent plants native to Mexico, the Southwest of the United States and Central America. Some species are: Agave vivipiara, Agave palmeri, Agave deserti, Agave chiapensis, Agave impressa, Agave striata, Agave guadalajarana, Agave ferdinandi-regis, Agave datylio, Agave horrida, Agave vilmoriniana,  Agave angustifolia, Agave univittata, Agave 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 ferox.

Common names: Caribbean Agave, Century Plant. This species is native to the Caribbean.

Agave vivipara is a succulent plant with a short trunk and rosette-shaped leaves that reaches 1.5 metres (4.92 feet) in height; it grows relatively quickly. The fleshy lanceolate leaves are 120 cm (3.93 feet) long and 10 cm (3.93") wide, are deep green or dark green in colour and have a dark 3 cm spine at the apex. The flowers appear on long flower stems that are more than 3 metres (9.84 feet) high and are greenish-yellow in colour. It blooms in summer after several years and then the mother plant dies but before that it usually produces shoots.

Caribbean Agave is used in rockeries, on dry and sunny slopes, to form impenetrable barriers, in cactus and succulent gardens and in pots when young. It is ideal for Mediterranean coastal gardens.

Agave vivipiara grows in full sun and light shade exposures. It is best not to expose it to frost.

The soil can be normal garden soil with plenty of coarse sand to ensure good drainage; It grows in any soil with excellent drainage.

Always water moderately, waiting for the substrate to dry completely; it resists drought well.

Century Plant does not need fertilizer or pruning.

Agave vivipara is a plant resistant to the usual pests and diseases but sensitive to excess watering.

Caribbean Agave propagates by separating shoots and from seeds sown in spring.

Images of the succulent plant Agave vivipara or Caribbean Agave