Agave tequilana (Blue Agave) Plant

Description

Agave tequilana, known as Tequila Agave, is a succulent plant in the Asparagaceae family. It is best known as the primary source of the distilled beverage tequila. Agave tequilana is native to the western states of Jalisco, Colima, Nayarit, and Michoacán in Mexico.

Agave tequilana is a large, rosette-forming succulent that can grow up to 2 meters in height and 2.5 meters in diameter. It has thick, fleshy, bluish-grey leaves with sharp spines along the edges and at the tips. The leaves are long, narrow, and lanceolate, with a blue-gray color that gives the plant its common name. They grow in a rosette pattern from the base of the plant.

The plant produces a tall flowering stalk, called a quiote, which can reach up to 5 meters in height. The flowers are yellow and arranged in clusters.

Agave tequilana is the base ingredient of tequila, mezcal and pulque. The flower stalk is removed after about a year and replanted to propagate the species. This ensures maximum energy directed to the heart of the parent plant, the sap of which is used in alcohol distillation.

• Common Name.

Tequila Agave

• Specifications.

50mm Pot Size
Divided Pup
Bare-Rooted

Ideal Growing Conditions.

Agave tequilana is a tolerant plant, it can be placed in direct sunlight or shade and requires minimal watering.  It thrives in highly porous, sandy potting soil, and should be allowed to dry out between waterings. Repotting annually in the spring is recommended.

Pruning: Remove dead or damaged leaves at the base with gloves and long sleeves (spines are sharp!). Remove offsets (“pups”) from the base to control spread or replant them.

Pests and Diseases: Agave americana are generally low-maintenance but can be affected by Agave snout weevil (borers into the base), Mealybugs or scale insects on leaves. Ensure good airflow and drainage to prevent rot or infestations.

Soil: You need a high quality potting mix, not a pre-bagged product such as you find at Bunnings etc, try a landscaping place. However, as I am not local to you I still can’t say if they have good quality or not. You are looking for well composted pine bark and large particles. This ensures air flow to the roots and good drainage. When time to re-pot, select a pot one size up ONLY and ensure it has many holes for good drainage.

Fertiliser: We recommend and use Yates Nutricote Standard Black 270 Day Controlled Release Fertiliser however any good quality slow release fertiliser will do. We also stock an Australian Made liquid indoor fertiliser The Plant Runner Indoor Plant Food which is easy to use and odourless.

• We cannot send plants to Western Australia & Tasmania due to restrictions.

• We strongly recommended to select Express Post shipping for all plant orders to minimise the transit time.

Interested in Agave’s? Have a look at our other products

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