How to Transplant Agave Plants
Agave plants are a type of succulent. The century plant is one of the better recognized and common agave plants, but there are many more varieties and they come in a range of colors, forms and sizes. Agave may have spiny leaves or no spines at all, but each type lends visual interest to gardens and pots, making agave an excellent choice as a focal point. Be aware that the spines can be painful to humans and pets, and that the sap of agave can cause allergic reactions. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Transplanting
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Transplant agave by removing the bulbils, small plants which grow from the main flower stalk. Root (succulents will form roots when placed in direct contact with soil) and plant them directly.
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Pull off suckers from the main plant to control growth. These may be planted in a separate pot to propagate.
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Dig outdoor agave and trim away damaged roots. Allow these to heal in the open air for one or two days, if you choose, or replant immediately in a new area.
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Resist any temptation to prune back the tops of plants. This causes greater stress during transplant. The Arizona Cooperative Extension recommends that agave plants never be pruned, as doing so provides potential entry points for damaging organisms.
Considerations
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Transplant in the late spring, March to May, in desert climate areas for the greatest success.
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Align plants so that the side which faced the sun again faces the direction of the greatest light and heat. Create a less harsh environment for the first few days after transplant by shading or covering the agave with a light drape.
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Place agave plants alone or with plants that have similar requirements for water, food and light. Arrangements of several plants may be harmful to agave if one choice is a more aggressive grower.
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Use a cactus potting mix, gravel loam mix or a sandy soil for transplants. Use organic matter sparingly (include only a middling to light amount). Agave can tolerate clay, acidic and alkaline soils.
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Water sparsely in the winter. Water by soaking the soil and then allowing any excess water to drain away. Allow the soil to dry between waterings. According to the University of Minnesota Extension Service, this will keep plants from withering or experiencing distorted growth due to shallow watering.
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Use a fertilizer with a greater phosphorous-to-nitrogen ratio. Feed the plants up to three to four times per year when they are being exposed to the most light. Do not feed fresh transplants. Err on the side of caution with established plants and neglect to feed rather than overfeed.
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Wait for at least a year before giving up on transplanted agave plants. They can take many months to adapt to new conditions and to come back from the stress of being moved. Some agave plants die back after flowering, but renew their growth through offsets.
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Tips & Warnings
Locate plants away from walkways and incidental contact with passers-by.
