It’s often confused with aloe and cactus but despite thorns in each plant, these are different plants.
The blue agave as a cactus is not true as it belongs to the Asparagus family. It has more in common with its Asparagus relatives than any other plant family.
Previously, it belonged to the Asparagus family in the Agave subfamily, which is now separated into a separate family.
Seeing this plant, many are wondering: agave cactus or not. On the outside, it appears like aloe. However, it is not part of the cactus species.
. The main differences between these two plants are as follows:
- agave has left, but cacti do not;
- in agave, thorns are present only at the tip of the leaf, and cacti are completely covered with them.
Brief description of what it looks like
A lot of people are fooled by the similarity of the agave and aloe plants, but they can be easily separated. The most noticeable difference is the number of leaves: Aloe has many smooth green leaves on long stems, while the Agave only has one central rosette leaf.
Agave is a succulent plant and is frequently confused with aloe and cacti.
Different species and varieties, which are around 400, come in different sizes and colors of leaves.
They are linked by a single symbol – socket.
The stem is either small or has not been developed at all.
They may be smooth or they may have spikes on the edges with sharp, long spines near the tip.
The color of the leaves is green, blue, gray, or gray-green.
Most often, the edges of leaves are decorated with silver or yellow stripes.
A bright decorative accent of the agave is a beautifully folded rosette of leaves, symmetrical or spiral
At 5 years old, a new shoot is seen in the wild form its length is 5 meters, with an inflorescence of flowers that are yellow. In the following days, seeds emerge on their own after which the wild plant is killed off.
Leaves of the agave that are at the root are usually taken in a rosette, and appear to be fleshy. They are very tough and wide and can vary in size.
Leaf color can differ. At present, there are over 300 varieties of Agaves. They differ in the form of the leaves as well as their hues.
The most common are Agave yellow; Tequila; American; striped; Compressed. It blooms in natural conditions once every 10-15 years, after which it dies.
Agave Care
Agave plants need very little maintenance, but some methods of cultivation still have to be followed in order for people to reap the benefits of such a plant. An example of this would be using fertilizers that contain phosphorous and nitrogen. By giving the plant these two nutrients, it will be able to produce larger leaves and more flowers which are needed in order to create the sweet sap that will eventually become a bottle of tequila.
Watering: it has been said that, properly grown blue agave will require no additional water; however, whether this is true or not, you still have to water your plant periodically – once every week or every ten days. In any case, don’t forget about watering it. A clod of earth between waterings should remain slightly moist, it is better not to allow the soil to dry out completely. In winter, the frequency of watering is reduced to 1-2 times a month.
Sunlight: blue agave is a succulent plant so don’t forget to expose it to as much sunlight as possible; however, it is not recommended that you place it in direct sunlight for a long period of time.
Location. It grows well on windows with south or east-south side. Shading is not required – the flower calmly reacts to the direct rays of the sun.
Temperature. In summer, it is easy to create the necessary temperature conditions – the plant feels comfortable at 20-28 ° C. In winter, she needs coolness – about 10 ° C, so it is better to transfer it to a glazed balcony for wintering. Most species can withstand a short drop in temperature to 0 ° C.
Humidity. Humidity is an important factor to consider when growing agave. The ideal levels for the flower of blue agave are between 40% and 60% relative humidity. Agave do not require high levels of humidity in order to maintain health
Top dressing. Blue agave should be top-dressed with mineral fertilizers every three weeks in spring and summer. While watering, use mineral fertilizer with low nitrogen content. This is to lessen the risk of infection. Avoid frequent fertilizing in autumn.
Transfer. The plant is transplanted into larger containers every year as it grows. By the time it’s an adult, it should be shifted every two-three years. A special blend of soil is used to avoid the neck of the plant from dying out. In the year, young plants are transplanted to larger containers.
Blue agave (Agave tequilana) is a plant that grows in Mexico, and its leaves are harvested for the production of tequila. The leaves are also used to make a sweetener called agave nectar or syrup. Blue agave contains trace elements and compounds that significantly increase the effectiveness of medicines used to treat colitis and Crohn’s disease.
In addition, the flower perfectly helps to cope with the following pathologies:
- diseases of the respiratory system;
- skin problems;
- burns and frostbite;
- diseases of the urinary system;
- inflammatory pathologies;
- diseases of the spine and joints;
- headache and toothache;
- venereal diseases;
- overweight problems.
In large quantities, juice should not be consumed, as it contains insulin.
Flowering and pollination
In its natural environment, the blue agave lives for about 5 years, and it dawns amazingly. A five-meter peduncle appears in the center of the leaves, holding rich yellow flowers. When flowering ends, the seeds ripen and the flower dies.
In order for the plant to live longer, people, when cultivating it, do not allow the agave to bloom. The appeared peduncle is immediately removed and planted for germination. Therefore, agricultural flowers live much longer – up to 15 years.
With prolonged growth, the blue agave has a huge core – the fruit. From it they get the world-famous tequila. The older the plant, the richer its juice, that is, the better the agave drink.
It can be pollinated not by butterflies and insects, but by bats!
FAQ
What Kind of Plant Is an Agave?
The agave plant is a succulent native to Mexico and the southern United States, but has made its way around the world. The Agavaceae family of succulent plants includes the century plant (Agave americana), dracaena, yucca and ponytail palms. Agaves are very popular in landscapes and homes, especially among people who love cacti.
Agave plants are named for their resemblance to the leaves of Agave, a genus of flowering plants that includes more than 300 species. Some agaves have colorful flowers that bloom at night. The flower of the century plant can grow up to 6 feet tall. Other agaves also produce an inflorescence or cluster of flowers on tall stalks above the foliage.
How Tall Do Blue Agave Plants Grow?
A mature blue agave plant can grow up to 6 feet tall and live for 10-15 years. It is native to northern Mexico and southern Texas. There are many species of the Agave genus, but it is the blue variety that grows the most quickly, maturing within 5-6 years of planting.
What Kind of Plant and Family Is Blue Agave?
Agave tequilana (commonly called blue agave and tequila agave) is a species of the genus agave native to southern Mexico.
Blue agave (Agave tequilana), commonly called blue agave or tequila agave, is the plant used to create tequila.
It is native to Jalisco and other parts of Mexico and is a large succulent plant that can become up to 5 meters high.
Native inhabitants of Mexico have used it for thousands of years, primarily as a food source.
How Long Do Blue Agaves Live?
Blue agaves are relatively short-lived plants with a lifespan of only 8 to 14 years in the wild. As they grow, they slowly send up a stalk that flowers once before dying, which is what gives them the reputation of being hard to kill.
They will die regardless if you cut off the stalk, however. The mythology surrounding their immortality stems from the fact that at some point early on in their life cycle, the plant will be struck by lightning. Some people believe that this lightning strike gives it supernatural powers, but that’s not true. A plant can’t live forever on its own—it needs water and sunlight to survive. It will eventually die no matter what you do. Because of the lightning strike and the notoriety surrounding it, blue agaves are known as “the plant that grows from lightning.”
Is Blue Agave Poisonous?
There are three different types of agave sap: exudate or latex, leaf juice, and phloem sap. In all cases, direct contact with these substances will lead to skin reactions that range from mild irritation to severe burns. If you have been injured by an agave plant or any product made from it—such as tequila or soap—you should seek medical attention immediately.
Most people are familiar with the dangers of ingesting Agave. Its sap is so toxic that it has even been used by natives as a way to poison their enemies. The most common reason for Agave poisoning is because of ingestion of the plant’s juice, which is sometimes mixed with tequila.