Foxtail Agave Care: How to Grow This Unique Succulent
Learn to grow the unique, soft-leaf Foxtail Agave. This guide covers its full life cycle, from routine care to creating new plants and its final bloom.
The Foxtail Agave, Agave attenuata, is distinct from its spiny relatives due to its soft, pliable, pale green leaves that form a graceful rosette. Its lack of sharp spines makes it a popular and safe choice for gardens, containers, and public spaces, especially in homes with pets or children. Originating from the high plateaus of central Mexico, its architectural appearance is well-suited for modern and coastal landscape designs.
Foxtail Agave Care Guide
Light
When planted outdoors, Foxtail Agaves thrive in full sun to partial shade. In hotter inland climates, provide afternoon shade or filtered light to prevent sunburn on the leaves. For indoor cultivation, place the plant near a bright, south-facing or west-facing window to ensure it receives adequate light. A plant not receiving enough light may become “leggy” as it stretches towards the source.
Soil
Agave attenuata requires soil with excellent drainage. For container-grown plants, a commercial cactus and succulent mix is suitable. When planting in the ground, amend heavy clay soils with sand, perlite, or grit to improve drainage. These agaves have a shallow root system and prefer a slightly acidic soil pH between 6.6 and 6.8. Using raised beds can also help ensure water drains away.
Water
Foxtail Agave is sensitive to overwatering, which can lead to root rot. Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings. During the spring and summer growing season, water every one to three weeks, depending on heat and sun exposure. In the winter, reduce watering to about once a month when the plant is dormant.
Temperature and Humidity
Agave attenuata is hardy in USDA zones 9-11 and can handle brief temperature drops to around 25°F (-4°C). It performs best when temperatures remain above 50°F (10°C). In regions with cold winters, grow this agave in a container that can be brought indoors or provide frost protection with a cloth cover during cold snaps. It can also tolerate the humidity found in semitropical regions.
Fertilizer
Foxtail Agaves do not require heavy feeding, as over-fertilizing can lead to weak, stretched growth. If fertilizing, apply a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half-strength once during the spring. This provides sufficient nutrients for the growing season.
Propagating Foxtail Agave
Propagate Foxtail Agave using the offsets, or “pups,” that the mother plant produces on its trunk or around the base. Propagating these pups ensures the continuation of the plant line.
Select pups that are at least teacup-sized and gently wiggle them until they detach; larger pups may already have small aerial roots. Allow the base of the pup to dry and form a callus for a few days in a shady spot to prevent rot. After callusing, plant the pup in a small pot with a well-draining cactus mix, keeping the soil barely moist in bright, indirect sun until new growth appears.
Understanding the Foxtail Agave Bloom
The Foxtail Agave is monocarpic, meaning it flowers only once before dying. This event occurs after the plant matures, often around 10 years of age. The plant sends up a tall, arching flower stalk from its center that can reach up to 10 feet long, resembling a bushy foxtail. This stalk gives the plant its common name and is covered in greenish-yellow flowers that attract pollinators.
All of the plant’s energy is directed into this bloom and a final production of pups at its base. This process ensures that while the individual plant dies, its genetic line continues through its offspring.
Common Foxtail Agave Problems
Yellowing, mushy leaves at the base of the plant indicate overwatering and potential root rot. To fix this, reduce watering and ensure the soil provides excellent drainage. Beige or white patches on the leaves are signs of sunburn, which can be prevented by acclimating plants gradually to intense, direct sun.
Pests can also be a concern. The agave snout weevil is a threat, as its grubs burrow into the plant’s core and cause it to collapse. Preventative soil drenches with an insecticide are the most effective control. Scale insects and snails may also appear; snails can be controlled with pet-safe baits, and scale can be managed with horticultural oils or manual removal.