Agave filifera grow and care – Succulent leaf plant of the genus Agave also known as Thread leaf agave, Agave filifera perennial evergreen plant, the plant dies after the bloom and the young plant grow instead and used as ornamental plant and its drought tolerant, can grow in desert, subtropical, mediterranean, temperate or tropic climate and growing in hardiness zone 8+.
Leaves color green-bluish with hair on the edges and can be variegata green with yellow, the leaves are fleshy and grow in rosettes structure, the leaf spiny pointed in the spear shape.
Flower color is pink and yellow, the flowers grow as on stalk.
How to grow Agave filifera – growing condition and care:
Frost free, well-drained soil, better sandy soil
What is the best way to start growing?
Plant / Seed – better sowing in spring to summer (possible in autumn and winter in hot climate), sow in sunny location or with light, well ventilate and good drainage soil, put water to keep the soil moist but lightly moist and don’t let it fully dry (explanation bellow) / Vegetative reproduction – cutting leaf, cut the leaves or cut in the base of the leaf with hand not anything sharp and wait at least 24 hours or if not cut in the base or it is stem need wait few days until the tissue will hill after this, put it in well-drained soil, and water it every few days to two weeks let in dry but not fully dry, after few weeks to month it start to grow root, cutting better to start in the late spring to early summer but always can do it indoor.
Is it necessary to graft or use vegetative reproduction? No but in order to get the variegata cultivar should start by daughter plant or cutting
Difficulties or problems when growing: Sharp leaves
Recommended planting season? All year, (in cold climate better in the spring)
Pests and diseases: Agave snout weevil, snails, slugs
Pruning season: All year
How to prune:
Dead leaves, dead mother plants and stalk
Size of the plant? 0.3-0.9m, 1-3 feet leaves, and the stalk 1.5-2m (5-6 feet)
Growth speed in optimal condition: Slow growing
Water requirement: Small amount of water, let it dry between watering and better not to over water
Light conditions in optimal condition for growing: Full Sun / Half Shade
Is it possible to grow as houseplant? No
Growing is also possible in a planter /flowerpot / containers: Yes, when growing in containers need to choose container that 15% to 30 % bigger than the roots ball, if it’s fully grown also need to be bigger in order to have place for the daughter plants, also the drainage of the soil it’s important, but after few years drainage of the soil not function the same so need to change to new soil
Blooming information
Bloom season: Autumn / winter (possible in the spring, in cold winter behave different than in hot climates
General information about the flower Yellow pink flowers, the flowers grow on stalk
Pollination is done by: Moths, bats, sunbird, hummingbird
How to grow Agave filifera from seeds
Sowing requirement: Sow in sunny location or with light, well ventilate and good drainage soil, put water to keep the soil moist but lightly moist and don’t let it fully dry
Saving seeds and care until sowing: Location with light and better sandy or well ventilated soil and also good drainage is important
Saving seeds and care until sowing: Dry and dark place in room temperature
Sowing season: Better sowing in spring to summer (possible in autumn and winter in hot climate)
Planting spacing: 20-30cm, (8-12 inches)
Depth of Sowing: 0.5cm, (0.25inches)
Conditions for seeds germinate: Slightly moist soil but do not over water and don’t let it dry
Watering requires for Seeds: Small amount of water / Average amount of water
Germination time: 2-4 weeks
Condition of seedling: Light with moist soil and well ventilated soil
