Red Agave

Red agave needs slight drainage, as it does not like standing water. During the active growing periods, it should be watered well with an extra drink during hot spells to keep the soil from drying completely. Water sparingly during the winter, when the plant goes dormant, allowing the soil to almost completely dry out every few weeks before a good soaking.

Red agave can grow in full sunlight or partial shade, though it is best to start off in an area with Partial Shade. Too much direct sunlight can burn the foliage, so finding a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal. When growing indoors, place near the brightest window, but be sure to rotate the plant to keep the shape and prevent leaning towards the light.

Red agave is best comfortable in temperatures between 50-90°F (10-32°C). Anything below 40°F (4°C) should be avoided.

Red agave tolerates normal humidity levels but likes a more arid environment and will not thrive in either overly dry or overly humid air. You'll want to be mindful of your plant’s position, often opting to position plants away from sources of indoor moisture like showers or water features.

Red Agave likes a well-draining soil mixture. Ideal soils are made from a combination of equal amounts of potting soil or regular garden soil, coarse sand, and perlite. These soils ensure good drainage.

Red agave should be fertilized once a month during the active growing period from spring to fall with a houseplant fertilizer solution that is low in nitrogen—no more than 5%. Avoid fertilizers with time release and be sure to dilute the fertilizer to one quarter strength for best results. During the rest period, from late fall to early spring, fertilization is not required.

Red Agave is a hardy species, though like other houseplants, it can sometimes be subject to yellowing of its foliage due to an infestation of sucking pests like aphids or spider mites. It can also attract mealy bugs. To get rid of these pests, you'll want to regularly inspect your plant, then use a cotton ball or Q-tip dipped in rubbing alcohol to gently remove the pests one by one from your plant. Make sure to keep checking your plant, as bug infestations can return quickly if not handled properly.

Red agave is very forgiving when it comes to repotting, though younger plants may need to be repotted every couple of years, and older plants may need to be done less frequently. Spring is the best time for repotting, provided that you feed the plants well in the fall to give them energy for good growth.

Red agave does not need much pruning to remain in shape. If you want to prune it back to shape, use the existing dead leaves as a guide to cut the existing foliage back to a uniform size.

Red Agave does not need to be mulched incredibly often, but it will benefit from occasional mulching with organic materials such as compost. Mulching helps retain moisture in the soil and protects the root system.

Propagation of Red Agave can be done through cuttings, division, or by seed. When taking cuttings, select a healthy stem and slice off about 3-4 inches from the end of the stem, making sure you're taking only healthy stems. Place the cuttings into a pot filled with well-draining soil and place in a bright, warm area. Water lightly to help encourage rooting.

Red Agave doesn’t need support, but it can benefit from gentle staking when grown in particularly high areas of wind exposure. Support stakes should be placed near the center of the plant, though never directly into the crown of the plant.

Red Agave does go through a winter rest period between late fall and early spring when the plant stops actively growing. During this period, the plant should be watered far less than during the active growing season, and the plants should be allowed to semi-dry out between waterings.

Red Agave is not considered to be toxic to pets.